Alaska Airlines expands its global reach with the introduction of two new long-haul flights departing from Seattle.
Alaska Airlines is embarking on a significant global expansion, marked by new long-haul international routes, an enhanced fleet, and growth in domestic connections, particularly between California and the Pacific Northwest.
New International Routes and Global Positioning
Starting Spring 2026, Alaska Airlines will launch two new nonstop transatlantic flights from Seattle to London Heathrow and Reykjavik, Iceland. These flights mark their fourth and fifth intercontinental destinations from Seattle, with plans to reach at least 12 by 2030. The airline is also enhancing its global experience on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet with a new exterior design inspired by its heritage and an upgraded onboard premium service.
Fleet and Experience Enhancements
Alaska is accelerating its transformation into a premium global carrier, expanding its widebody fleet notably with the Boeing 787 Dreamliners, supporting its international ambitions. A new onboard "global experience" is being introduced for long-haul flights to align with their premium global service vision.
Domestic Network Growth
To complement its international growth, Alaska Airlines is expanding its domestic network with seven new routes starting October 2025, primarily connecting California and Pacific Northwest cities. These include routes such as Hollywood Burbank to Eugene, Pasco, Redmond, Boise to Ontario, Palm Springs to Santa Rosa, and San Diego to Sun Valley.
In summary, Alaska Airlines is ambitiously growing its long-haul international footprint from Seattle with new flights to Europe and Asia while simultaneously strengthening its domestic network in the western United States and improving its fleet and passenger experience to support this global expansion.
The daily flight to London will operate year-round, while the Reykjavik flight will be available during the summer season. Alaska Airlines' global gateway vision is paying off so far, as its first new intercontinental route - Seattle to Tokyo - has booked roughly 80% of available seats.
Alaska Airlines is planning to launch at least 12 new intercontinental flights from its Seattle hub by 2030. Since December 2024, Alaska Airlines has announced five new intercontinental destinations: Tokyo (already launched in May), Seoul, South Korea (scheduled for September), Rome, Italy (scheduled for May 2026), London, and Reykjavik (both scheduled for May 2026). The new route to London is considered the "crown jewel of Alaska's long-haul network to Europe."
The new livery will debut in January, with Alaska's five Dreamliner planes updated by next spring. Alaska Airlines is preparing to house a fleet of 17 787 planes in Seattle and 24 Airbus A330s in Honolulu. The newly announced Seattle to London flight will operate on a 787-9, while the flight to Reykjavik will operate on a 737 MAX 8.
Alaska Airlines is still awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for a single operating certificate, merging the two airlines in the eyes of the regulator. Alaska Airlines is growing its local pilot base in Seattle, with plans to reach up to 600 pilots based in Seattle by 2030.
Alaska Airlines is negotiating joint collective bargaining agreements with the unionized workforce from both companies. The airline is also introducing a new premium credit card and combined loyalty program for Alaska and Hawaiian frequent flyers.
(Note: Boeing's fifth 777-9, part of the delayed 777X family, took its first flight recently. While this fact is not directly related to Alaska Airlines, it is relevant to the context of the expansion of Alaska Airlines' fleet.)
[1] Alaska Airlines Press Release, "Alaska Airlines Announces New Long-Haul International Routes and Fleet Enhancements," 2025. [2] Alaska Airlines Press Release, "Alaska Airlines Announces Seven New Domestic Routes," 2025. [3] Alaska Airlines Press Release, "Alaska Airlines Unveils New Exterior Design for Boeing 787 Dreamliners," 2025. [4] Alaska Airlines Press Release, "Alaska Airlines Begins Service to Tokyo-Narita," 2025. [5] Seattle Times, "Alaska Airlines Announces New Routes from Seattle to California Cities," 2025.
- Microsoft, a leading technology company based in Seattle, is considering expanding its business operations to align with the city's growing lifestyle and technological advancements, as Alaska Airlines' ambitious global expansion, marked by new long-haul international routes and fleet enhancements, takes center stage.
- Amidst the bustling sports scene in the Pacific Northwest, businesses such as Microsoft might find it advantageous to fuel their employees' productivity and morale with a range of leisure activities, potentially capitalizing on Alaska Airlines' new domestic routes connecting California and the same region, thus facilitating easier travel for employees and customers alike.
- With Alaska Airlines' improving global positioning and the growth of Seattle's technology hub, Microsoft could explore opportunities to build collaborative relationships with international businesses, further strengthening Seattle's reputation as a premier destination for both business and lifestyle pursuits.
