Alaska Airlines will follow up the launch of services to Seoul in September by adding flights to London, Reykjavik and Rome next summer as it sets out on developing intercontinental operations from its Seattle Tacoma hub.
The Oneworld carrier already operates to over 100 North American destinations from Seattle, but has embarked on establishing intercontinental operations from the US West Coast city. The long-haul expansion is made possible following its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, which brought with it Airbus A330 widebodies and orders for Boeing 787-9s. The group has upped its Dreamliner order to 17, three of which it has received.
Alaska Airlines launched its first Asia-Pacific service from Seattle in May when it began flights to Tokyo Narita, initially using A330s but which will switch to 787-9s in January. That was followed in mid-September when it started Dreamliner-operated services to Seoul Incheon Airport.
Now the airline has firmed plans to begin its first European routes from Seattle. It will start daily flights to London Heathrow this spring and four weekly flights to Rome from May, both using 787s. Alaska is also adding a summer service from the end of May to the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, using Boeing 737-9s.
These form part of plans to operate at least a dozen intercontinental destinations from Seattle by 2030.
Alaska Airlines Chief Executive Ben Minicucci said: “With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world. We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up.”
The carrier will also roll out a new livery for its Alaska Airlines-operated Dreamliners in January.
