Alaska Airlines is launching the region’s first nonstop transatlantic routes from Seattle this spring, ending decades of layovers through California and East Coast hubs for Pacific Northwest travelers.
Alaska Airlines will begin flying nonstop to Europe from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport starting April 28, opening three transatlantic routes that industry analysts say could fundamentally alter how the Pacific Northwest connects to the world.
The launch — covering Rome, London, and Reykjavik — marks the first transatlantic scheduled service in Alaska Airlines’ history and accelerates a years-long effort to convert Seattle-Tacoma, known as SEA, into a dual-ocean gateway capable of competing with California’s long-dominant international hubs.
For decades, travelers in the Pacific Northwest seeking nonstop flights to Europe had to route through Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, or London, adding 4 to 8 hours of layovers to their journeys. Alaska’s new routes directly address that gap.
The carrier’s inaugural Rome Fiumicino flight departs April 28 and operates daily through Oct. 23 aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner configured for 300 passengers, including 34 business class suites equipped with privacy doors and direct aisle access. Introductory round-trip fares start at $599.
Seattle-London Heathrow service follows May 21 — the only year-round route of the three. London is the largest intercontinental market from Seattle, drawing an average of more than 400 passengers between the two cities each day. At 4,800 miles, the eastbound crossing takes approximately nine hours and 30 minutes.
The third route, Seattle-Reykjavik Keflavik, launches May 28 and runs through Sept. 7 aboard a Boeing 737 MAX 8, a narrowbody aircraft covering 3,300 miles. Alaska has arranged a bilateral codeshare with Icelandair giving passengers access to more than 35 daily departures from Iceland to mainland Europe under a single ticket.
The transatlantic push draws directly from Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, which brought widebody Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into a fleet that had previously been limited to narrowbody Boeing 737s. The combined entity now operates 394 aircraft. Under its “Alaska Accelerate” strategic plan — aimed at transitioning the carrier from a regional operator into what it describes as a premium global carrier — Alaska intends to deploy up to 17 Dreamliners from Seattle by 2030. A new widebody pilot base opens in Seattle this spring to support the operation.
The European expansion has drawn an immediate competitive response from Delta Air Lines, which has spent more than a decade developing Seattle into its primary West Coast international gateway. Within weeks of Alaska’s Rome announcement, Delta added four weekly flights on the same route, launching May 6 using Airbus A330-900neo jets. Delta also preempted a market Alaska’s leadership had publicly expressed interest in, announcing its own Seattle-Barcelona service before Alaska could act.
Delta holds 17% of SEA’s market share against Alaska’s 37%, but analysts note the A330-900neo fleet includes a dedicated premium economy cabin — a product Alaska’s inherited 787 fleet currently lacks, though the carrier plans to add one by 2028. Delta is also escalating its ground presence, having opened a new 10,000-square-foot Delta One Lounge in Concourse A, featuring restaurant-style dining with locally sourced Dungeness crab and views of Mt. Rainier.
Underpinning the expansion is the $546 million SEA Gateway Project, completed in February 2026. The public-private collaboration between the Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines modernized the airport’s northern terminal with automated bag drop systems, redesigned security checkpoints, and enhanced baggage handling infrastructure for international volumes.
The Port of Seattle generated more than $39 billion in regional economic benefit in 2025 while supporting 205,000 jobs. Its aviation capital budget stands at $847 million for 2026, part of a five-year, $4.4 billion improvement plan. Officials expect 2026 to be a record year for passenger traffic — SEA already logged a single-day record of 207,000 travelers in 2025.
Alaska’s 2030 plan calls for at least 12 intercontinental destinations from Seattle. Industry observers anticipate potential routes to Madrid, Lisbon, or Athens as the carrier matures its widebody operations and deepens alliance connections.
Key Takeaways
- Alaska Airlines launches its first-ever transatlantic flights — to Rome (April 28), London Heathrow (May 21), and Reykjavik (May 28) — from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in spring 2026.
- The Hawaiian Airlines acquisition provided the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet enabling long-haul service, ending Pacific Northwest travelers’ dependence on California and East Coast hubs for European connections.
- Delta Air Lines has matched Alaska on Seattle-Rome and preempted Seattle-Barcelona, sharpening competition for transatlantic dominance at SEA.
- The completed $546 million SEA Gateway Project and a five-year, $4.4 billion capital plan support the airport’s transformation into a dual-ocean international gateway.
- Alaska targets at least 12 intercontinental destinations from Seattle by 2030.