Alaska Airlines to Launch First-Ever Europe Route with Nonstop Flights to Rome in 2026

Alaska Airlines will launch its first nonstop route to Europe in May 2026, connecting Seattle to Rome using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Tickets will go on sale this fall.

📰 Alaska Airlines Announces First European Destination: Direct Flights from Seattle to Rome Starting May 2026

Alaska Airlines is set to take a major leap into the international market by launching its first-ever route to Europe — a nonstop flight from Seattle to Rome starting in May 2026. This historic expansion comes after the airline’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, which provided access to long-haul aircraft like the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

📅 Route Details:

Start date: May 2026

Frequency: 4 times per week

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Ticket sales: Begin in Fall 2025

The Rome route will be operated by long-range Dreamliners, which have become part of Alaska’s fleet through its merger with Hawaiian Airlines.

🌍 A Global Vision from Seattle

According to Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines' Chief Commercial Officer, the Rome launch is part of a broader strategy to build a global gateway out of Seattle. The airline is planning to introduce additional long-haul international destinations through the end of the decade.

“We are serious about building a global gateway out of Seattle, and we will serve the major demand markets,” said Harrison.

🧳 Rome: A Destination Driven by Customer Demand

Alaska Airlines says many members of its Mileage Plan loyalty program have specifically requested service to Rome from its Seattle hub. Italy continues to be a highly desirable destination, prompting other U.S. carriers like Delta and United to increase service to the region, including new nonstops to Sicily and other secondary cities.

✈️ Expanding Across the Pacific, Too

Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines launched service to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport in May and plans to begin flights to Seoul in September. The Tokyo route is already achieving about 80% load factors, and the airline expects its Asia flights to contribute to cargo revenue growth as well.

✅ Awaiting FAA Approval for Unified Operations

To operate the expanded international network, Alaska Airlines needs Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to operate the combined fleet under a single certificate. The airline expects to receive this approval in Q4 2025.

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Source: CNBC