Alaska Airline introduces two fresh long-haul flights departing from Seattle

Alaska Airline introduces two fresh long-haul flights departing from Seattle

Alaska Airlines Expands Global Reach with New Routes and Livery

Alaska Airlines is making waves in the aviation industry with its ambitious expansion plans, aiming to become a global airline. The airline has announced a series of new intercontinental flights from its Seattle hub, as well as a fresh new exterior design for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Starting September 12, 2025, Alaska Airlines will launch daily service to Seoul, South Korea, using Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This will be the first of the new global routes to take off. In January 2026, the airline will upgrade its existing route to Tokyo with the new 787 experience.

The expansion to long-haul international markets from Seattle doesn't stop there. In spring 2026, Alaska Airlines will launch daily year-round flights to London, operating on Boeing 787-9. Tickets for this highly anticipated route will be available for purchase in fall 2025. The London route is considered the "crown jewel of Alaska's long-haul network to Europe."

Additionally, Alaska Airlines will also launch a daily seasonal (summer) service to Reykjavik, Iceland, using Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. This route is focused on leisure travelers. The airline is also expecting to start a likely seasonal service to Rome, Italy, in spring 2026, though the exact frequency is yet to be determined.

In a bid to grow its local pilot base in Seattle, Alaska Airlines aims to reach up to 600 pilots based in Seattle by 2030. The airline will also house a fleet of 17 787 planes in Seattle and 24 Airbus A330s in Honolulu.

The new exterior design for the Boeing 787 Dreamliners is inspired by the Aurora Borealis and includes a palette of midnight blues and emerald greens. The design is modern, bold, and unique in the industry, representing an evolution of the company, rather than a new company altogether. The new livery will debut in January, with Alaska's five Dreamliner planes updated by next spring. The livery on Alaska's other plane models will remain the same.

Alaska Airlines is also negotiating joint collective bargaining agreements with the unionized workforce from both companies. The airline is awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for a single operating certificate, merging the two airlines in the eyes of the regulator.

To complement its expansion, Alaska executives are introducing a new premium credit card and combined loyalty program for Alaska and Hawaiian frequent flyers.

Here's a summary of the new routes:

| Destination | Launch Date | Frequency | Aircraft | |-------------|-------------------|-----------------|--------------------| | Seoul | September 12, 2025| Daily | Boeing 787-9 | | Tokyo | January 7, 2026 | Daily | Boeing 787-9 | | London | Spring 2026 | Daily, Year-round | Boeing 787-9 | | Reykjavik | Spring 2026 | Daily, Seasonal (Summer) | Boeing 737-8 MAX | | Rome | Spring 2026 | TBD (likely seasonal) | Boeing 787-9 |

Ticket sales for the London and Reykjavik routes will open in fall 2025. The A330 fleet will primarily fly to and from Hawaii, while the 787 fleet will be based in Seattle.

This expansion to long-haul international markets is part of Alaska Airlines' global gateway vision, which is paying off. Its first new intercontinental route - Seattle to Tokyo - has booked roughly 80% of available seats. With these new routes, Alaska Airlines aims to serve at least 12 intercontinental destinations by 2030.

1. Microsoft, with a significant presence in Seattle, could potentially benefit from Alaska Airlines' expansion in the aviation industry, as the increase in global connectivity might attract more business travelers.
2. The expansion of Alaska Airlines' global reach, with new routes to Seoul, Tokyo, London, Reykjavik, and likely Rome, will likely have an impact on the finance industry, as it could lead to increased economic activity in these cities.
3. In the transportation industry, the addition of new intercontinental routes by Alaska Airlines is expected to stimulate growth in the aviation sector, particularly in Seattle where the airline plans to house a fleet of 17 Boeing 787 planes.
4. The forward-thinking strategy of Alaska Airlines, including its global expansion plans and innovative livery design, may set new standards in the aviation industry, inspiring other businesses to adopt similar progressive approaches.

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