New Alaska Airlines Boeing 787 9 livery
Alaska Airlines has continued adding European destinations to its network, with the airline now planning to launch flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Keflavik Reykjavík International Airport (KEF).
In a statement on August 5, the carrier said that “starting next spring,” it would begin flying from its Seattle hub to LHR and KEF, both with daily departures. The former will be operated by its Boeing 787-9s, while the latter will be operated by the Boeing 737 MAX 8, which Alaska Airlines described as “designed for this type of long-range flying.” The new routes are still subject to government approval, the airline warned.
Data from the aviation analytics company Cirium’s Diio Mi airline planning tool showed that in August 2025, Icelandair, which has a codeshare agreement with Alaska Airlines, has three daily departures on the SEA-KEF route. British Airways, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic have either daily (Delta and Virgin) or double-daily (British Airways) flights between LHR and SEA, with Alaska Airlines and British Airways both being part of the oneworld alliance.
“Iceland remains a bucket-list destination for adventure lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, and Reykjavik will continue to serve our guests as a convenient gateway to the European continent,” the airline stated.
Ben Minicucci, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air, said that with the new routes, which were described as “bold moves,” Alaska Airlines is accelerating its vision to connect its guests with the world. “We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up. And we’re doing it with the same relentless focus on safety, care, and performance that’s always defined us.”
Previously, Alaska Airlines began flying from SEA to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) on May 12, 2025, and announced its second long-haul destination following its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN), on March 25. The five-per-week service is scheduled to begin on September 12, 2025. Lastly, Alaska Airlines unveiled flights to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) on June 3, 2025, with a planned launch date of sometime in May 2026. Barring the flights from SEA to ICN, which are operated by Hawaiian Airlines’ Airbus A330-200 aircraft, the new international connections are scheduled to be flown on the latter carrier’s 787-9s, including the flights from SEA to LHR.
However, with the latest announcement, Alaska Airlines unveiled a “striking global exterior design that will be featured on our growing fleet of up to 17 widebody 787 Dreamliner aircraft,” with the rebranding of its long-haul aircraft being part of a new global experience carrying the Alaska Airlines name. “The new 787-9 exterior design draws inspiration from the natural wonder of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights,” it noted. The newly painted 787-9 will make its debut in January 2026, with the remaining 787-9s being rebranded to the new design by spring of next year, according to Alaska Airlines.
The carrier emphasized that the – subjectively iconic – Alaska Native and Pualani branding on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines’ narrowbody aircraft are not going to be changed, as they are “elements of our brands’ legacies and history.”
To support its growing 787-9 operations at SEA, which will include at least 17 Dreamliners following an addition of five more orders for the type, announced during its Q2 2025 earnings, Alaska Airlines will open a pilot base at the airport “beginning next spring.” Ch-aviation estimated that, in addition to the current four 787-9s operated by Hawaiian Airlines, the airline should welcome two more aircraft of the type in 2026.
Delta Air Lines, the second airline at SEA in terms of market share, has responded to Alaska Airlines’ international expansion by announcing its new European routes and lounges at the airport. On June 24, 2025, the carrier said that during the summer 2026 season, it would begin Airbus A330-900 flights from SEA to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) and FCO, with three and four departures per week, respectively.
Alaska Airlines’ executives were unfazed and expressed confidence about the airline’s success in its international flights from SEA during the company’s Q2 2025 earnings call. Minicucci affirmed that the carrier has the most extensive domestic network at the airport and plans to have 12 global destinations from SEA by 2030. “And if we can win, we are going to win in Seattle because that is our hometown,” Minicucci added.
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