{"id":10939,"date":"2026-04-29T11:14:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T11:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/10939\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T11:14:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T11:14:10","slug":"alaska-airlines-launches-1st-seattle-rome-transatlantic-flight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/10939\/","title":{"rendered":"Alaska Airlines launches 1st Seattle-Rome transatlantic flight"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Alaska Airlines<\/a> has crossed the Atlantic for the first time, launching a new nonstop flight from Seattle to Rome and opening the carrier\u2019s first route to Europe.<\/p>\n

The seasonal daily service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Rome Fiumicino began on April 28 and runs through October 23. With the launch of the route, Alaska is offering the first-ever nonstop connection between Seattle and Rome.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AprilPhoto: Ingrid Barrentine\/Alaska Airlines<\/p>\n

The new flight 180, operating on the airline\u2019s Boeing 787-9 Dreamline<\/a>r, departs Seattle at 5:30 p.m. and arrives in Rome at 1:15 p.m. the following day. The return service leaves Rome at 3:25 p.m. and lands in Seattle at 5:45 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rome is Alaska\u2019s first stop into Europe<\/p>\n

The Rome launch marks a major shift for Alaska, which has long been a US domestic carrier. The airline first announced plans to turn its Seattle home into a global hub in 2024<\/a>, following its merger with Hawaiian Airlines<\/a>. In Asia, Alaska now serves Tokyo and Seoul, after taking over Hawaiian Airlines\u2019 long-haul operations. In Europe, the airline has announced new flights to London and Reykjavik beginning this year<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AprilPhoto: Joe Nicholson\/Alaska Airlines<\/p>\n

Cirium data shows that Alaska will compete with Delta Air Lines on Seattle-Rome. Delta will offer limited seasonal service with 98 flights scheduled from May to October. <\/p>\n

Alaska\u2019s Seattle-to-London-Heathrow service will be a year-round route, with flights currently scheduled from May 21, 2026, through March of next year.\u00a0It will compete directly with British Airways, Delta and Virgin Atlantic which also offer SEA-LHR flights year-round. <\/p>\n

Alaska has daily flights scheduled from Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) to Keflavik Airport (KEF) running as a seasonal route from May 28 through September 7.\u00a0\u00a0It will compete with Icelandair which offers year-round daily service. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

A new route between Seattle and Rome opens up trade\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alaska celebrated the launch of the Rome route as a historic first milestone, strengthening travel and trade between Rome and the Pacific Northwest. The airline says the Rome route will also create one-stop connections between Hawaii and Europe through Seattle, giving Hawaii-based travellers a new path to Italy and providing Italian travellers easier access to the Hawaiian Islands. <\/p>\n

\"AprilPhoto: Ingrid Barrentine\/Alaska Airlines<\/p>\n

\u201cLaunching our first flight to Europe is a significant step in executing our long-term growth strategy,\u201d Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci said in the airline\u2019s announcement. \u201cService to Rome expands how we connect our guests to the world, strengthens Seattle\u2019s role as a global gateway and is made possible by our people who deliver safety, care and performance with every flight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opening one of Seattle\u2019s largest unserved international markets<\/p>\n

Rome is also one of Seattle\u2019s largest previously unserved international markets, according to Port of Seattle Commission President Ryan Calkins.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAlaska Airlines\u2019 new direct flight to Rome opens one of the largest unserved markets for SEA for both leisure and business travellers,\u201d Calkins said. \u201cCreating this new link between Italy and the Pacific Northwest will allow travellers on both sides of the connection to explore our shared passions for cuisine, culture, and natural beauty.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"April 28, 2026; SeaTac, Wash.; Alaska Air Group CEO and President Ben Minicucci speaks before the inaugural flight to Rome (FCO) from Seattle. credit: Ingrid Barrentine\/Alaska Airlines<\/p>\n

Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer, Aeroporti di Roma, welcomed the arrival of the new long-haul carrier and the connection Alaska provides to the Pacific Northwest.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis new nonstop service to Seattle, the first-ever scheduled connection between the two cities, strengthens our position as a leading gateway between Europe and North America, particularly to the US Pacific region,\u201d he said. \u201cThe route reflects our continued focus on growing high-value intercontinental connectivity that supports economic development, benefits local communities and enhances the competitiveness of Italy\u2019s national economy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alaska Boeing 787-9 debuts with \u2018new\u2019 business class suites<\/p>\n

The airline is operating the Seattle-Rome route with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner originally acquired by Hawaiian Airlines. It features Alaska\u2019s new global livery and the airline\u2019s customisation of Hawaiian\u2019s former Leih\u014dk\u016b Suites<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AlaskaPhoto: Alaska Airlines<\/p>\n

The updated Alaska-branded aircraft is equipped with 34 international business-class suites in a 1-2-1 configuration and 266 economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration, including a Premium Class section offering extra legroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to aeroLOPA data, Premium Class seats, located in rows 15 to 24 (ABC and GHJ) and centre seats in row 15 (DEF), have a 36\u2033 pitch, compared to the 31\u201d pitch standard in the Main Cabin.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AlaskaPhoto: Alaska Airlines<\/p>\n

The airline has updated its business-class long-haul passenger experience to include multi-course dining inspired by the destination\u2019s culinary traditions and a Salt & Straw dessert cart with customizable toppings. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Comfort items include new Salt & Stone amenity kits packed with travel essentials, as well as Filson bedding and pillows.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Premium Class passengers receive a Filson amenity kit, with blankets and pillows offered in both Premium Class and Main Cabin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AlaskaPhoto: Alaska Airlines<\/p>\n

Alaska says the same international business-class Suites experience is already available on flights between Seattle and South Korea, will be offered on Seattle-London Heathrow flights starting May 21, and will debut on Seattle-Tokyo flights this fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AlaskaPhoto: Alaska Airlines<\/p>\n

As part of its premium upgrade, the airline will open an exclusive check-in lane at Seattle-Tacoma for passengers flying in its long-haul business-class suites and Atmos Titanium members. Alaska plans to introduce similar exclusive lanes \u201cin Anchorage, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and internationally in London, Reykjavik, Rome, Seoul and Tokyo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starlink WiFi coming to Alaska\u2019s Boeing 787 Dreamliners<\/p>\n

Alaska says its entire 787-9 Dreamliner fleet will be equipped with Starlink in-flight connectivity<\/a> by this fall. The airline will offer free WiFi to Atmos Rewards loyalty program members, sponsored by T-Mobile.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More transatlantic flights ahead for Alaska<\/p>\n

Alaska\u2019s first Seattle-Rome flight marks the airline\u2019s formal entry into the transatlantic market. The debut of Seattle\u2019s first nonstop Rome service comes as the Alaska Air Group repositions itself from a traditionally domestic service to a global carrier, competing with major carriers on long-haul service.<\/p>\n

Alaska\u2019s Boeing 787 passenger experience supports that aim by providing a competitive and comfortable cabin product.<\/p>\n

Featured Image: Joe Nicholson\/Alaska Airlines<\/p>\n

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