Seattle-Based Carrier Eyes London, Paris, and Rome Routes as Long-Haul Strategy Takes Flight with Asian Destinations Already Announced
Highlights
- Alaska Airlines targets European flights to London, Paris, and Rome in 2026.
- Tokyo and Seoul service launches in 2025 using Hawaiian’s wide-body fleet.
- Carrier will compete with Delta at Seattle despite 37% market share advantage.
- Strategy focuses on premium travelers amid rising high-end demand.
Alaska Airlines plans to expand its international reach to Europe by 2026, leveraging its recently completed merger with Hawaiian Airlines and the long-haul aircraft that came with it, the company’s top executive said this week.
“Europe is definitely on the radar for 2026,” Alaska Airlines Chief Executive Officer Ben Minicucci confirmed during an appearance at the Wings Club in New York, according to a report by Skift. The announcement signals the carrier’s most ambitious international expansion yet, following its recent moves into Asian markets.
The Seattle-based airline has already announced new service between its Pacific Northwest hub and two Asian destinations using Hawaiian’s wide-body aircraft. Flights to Tokyo Narita will begin in May 2025, while Seoul service is scheduled to launch in September.
Alaska’s potential European destinations include London, Paris, and Rome, according to the carrier’s investor day presentation from December. These cities were highlighted in company materials as routes “best served from Seattle” as opposed to other West Coast hubs like San Francisco or Los Angeles.
The transatlantic expansion has become possible through Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian’s long-haul fleet. According to ch-aviation data, the combined airline now operates 25 Airbus A330-200 aircraft from Hawaiian’s fleet, along with two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. An additional 10 Dreamliners are on order, further bolstering the carrier’s long-haul capabilities.
Data suggests strong market potential for Alaska’s European ambitions. OAG Traffic Analyzer shows that London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle represent the first and second most demand-heavy European destinations from Seattle, respectively. Rome ranks fifth after Dublin and Amsterdam.
The planned expansion will pit Alaska directly against Delta Air Lines, which maintains a significant presence at Seattle Tacoma International Airport. While Alaska holds a 37% market share at the airport compared to Delta’s 17%, according to 2025 flight schedules, the competition will be fierce on international routes where Delta is well-established.
Minicucci expressed confidence in Alaska’s ability to compete, stating: “Our company can go toe-to toe with anyone.”
The European plans are part of Alaska’s broader “Alaska Accelerate” strategy following the Hawaiian merger, which created a combined network of nearly 1,500 daily flights to 141 destinations, including 29 international markets across the Americas, Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific.
Alaska is targeting premium travelers on these new long-haul routes. The airline noted “increased premium demand & willingness to pay” in its December investor presentation, a trend it believes can be leveraged on international services.
As Alaska prepares for this significant expansion, it continues to strengthen its position in its core West Coast markets while maintaining Hawaiian’s strong presence in the Pacific island state.
