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Alaska Airlines is adding two major transatlantic launches: new nonstop flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Reykjavik’s Keflavík Airport (KEF) in spring 2026. These routes mark a significant step in Alaska’s transformation into a global carrier. The airline plans to serve at least 12 intercontinental destinations from Seattle by 2030 and has already started flying to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) in May. Flights to Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) will also begin in May 2026 and this September, respectively.
Expanding Across the Atlantic
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Alaska’s new daily, year-round service to/from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) will be operated with Boeing 787-9 aircraft. London is Seattle’s largest intercontinental market with more than 400 passengers traveling between the two cities each day on British Airways and Virgin Atlantic/Delta Air Lines (the two are in the process of swapping out which carrier will serve Seattle). A date has not yet been revealed for this route’s inaugural.
This flight also strengthens Alaska’s transatlantic partnerships with American Airlines and British Airways as both can provide onward connections and feeder traffic as well as offer earning and redemption opportunities on these flights.
Reykjavik’s Keflavík Airport (KEF)
Alaska will fly to Reykjavik daily during the summer using its Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. The route caters to demand for adventure and nature travel while also offering connections to other European destinations. The 3,622-mile flight on a narrow-body aircraft will make for a long trip (it will actually be the longest nonstop route operated by a US carrier using a Boeing 737). The flights will launch for the summer season in May 2026.
The Debut of a New Livery
To mark these exciting route announcements, Alaska also unveiled a bold new livery for its upcoming fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft. These are inspired by the Northern Lights and a nod to Alaska’s heritage. The new livery looks gorgeous. This will start with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet (Alaska has ordered 17). The first redesigned aircraft will start flying in January with the full fleet expected to be painted with the new livery by spring 2026.
The new design features midnight blues and emerald greens to reflect movement, light, and the energy of Alaska’s northern roots. A bold horizontal stripe across the aircraft also pays tribute to classic Alaska liveries from the 1970s and 1980s. The iconic Alaska Native on the tails of narrowbody jets and Pualani on Hawaiian Airlines aircraft will continue to represent the airlines’ combined cultural heritage.
Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines, 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. And we’re doing it with the same relentless focus on safety, care and performance that’s always defined us. I’m so proud of how our people continue to step up and deliver as we push ahead on these initiatives, with even more to come.”
Passengers interested in the new London route can sign up at alaskaair.com/london to be among the first to know when tickets go on sale this fall.
Anthony’s Take: It’s exciting to see Alaska Airlines expand internationally and transform from a domestic carrier to one with global ambitions. I can’t wait to see what other routes get added this year.
(Image Credits: Alaska Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
