Alaska Airlines to Launch Seattle — Rome 787-9 Nonstop in Spring 2026

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Alaska Airlines has announced a landmark expansion of its international network: nonstop Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) — Rome Fiumicino (FCO) service will begin in spring 2026, marking Alaska’s first direct transatlantic route and the carrier’s debut into mainland Europe. The route will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and is scheduled to operate multiple times per week during the summer season.

Why this route matters

The Seattle–Rome link is a strategic milestone for Alaska’s transformation into a true global carrier. Sea-Tac has been steadily growing its international footprint and, with the addition of Rome, gains a nonstop gateway between the Pacific Northwest and southern Europe — a route that historically required connections through European or U.S. hubs. Alaska frames the service as part of a broader plan to establish a 787-9 hub in Seattle and expand long-haul capacity following its integration with Hawaiian Airlines.

For travelers, the nonstop will cut travel time and remove at least one long connection for customers flying between the U.S. West Coast and Italy. For Alaska, the flight opens a market to leisure and VFR (visiting friends & relatives) traffic, and gives its Mileage Plan members a new long-haul earning/redeeming option. For Sea-Tac, the route reinforces the airport’s emergence as a transpacific and transatlantic gateway.

Service pattern, aircraft and capacity

Alaska has said the service will use the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Reports indicate the flights will operate four times weekly during the initial summer season, providing roughly 1,200 seats per week in a 300-seat Boeing 787-9 layout (typical Hawaiian/Alaska-marketed 787 configuration: ~34 business / ~266 economy). Exact launch dates published across outlets vary slightly (early May is consistently reported), but Alaska’s route pages and press material confirm a spring/summer 2026 start with fares and bookings to be made available through alaskaair.com.

Because the 787-9 is a long-range, fuel-efficient aircraft with improved passenger comfort, it is well suited to the ~11–12 hour transatlantic sector from the U.S. West Coast. Alaska has signalled that it is building long-haul operational capability out of Seattle — including pilot and crew infrastructure to support Dreamliner operations — which will be important for maintaining schedule reliability on the new route.

Commercial and competitive context

Alaska’s move into Europe changes the competitive map for Pacific-Northwest international travel. Previously, passengers bound for Rome from Seattle typically routed via East Coast or European hubs. Alaska’s nonstop will compete for premium and leisure customers who value one-stop or nonstop service. It also represents the broader industry trend of U.S. carriers adding long-haul narrow-body/wide-body services as airline groups consolidate and fleet strategies evolve.

Operationally, the route reflects Alaska’s utilization of 787-family capacity obtained and optimized following its strategic changes (including the Hawaiian integration and subsequent fleet moves). For Sea-Tac, the route is an important prestige win and supports airport ambitions to be a global connecting hub.

Passenger experience & product

Onboard, passengers can expect the Dreamliner’s typical advantages: higher humidity, larger windows, lower cabin altitude and better fuel efficiency compared with older wide-bodies. Alaska’s marketed product will likely mirror the combined Alaska/Hawaiian 787 offering, with a business-class option and Economy cabin featuring modern inflight entertainment and amenity options. Alaska has also promoted Italy-themed travel offers tied to the route in marketing materials.

What to watch next

• Official launch date & schedules: Alaska’s booking portal and timetable pages will carry the definitive inaugural flight date and flight numbers (expect bookings to open fall/winter prior to the May–June start).

• Operational reliability: Will Alaska staff up piloting/maintenance for 787 rotations to preserve operational performance on long-haul sectors?

• Network effects: Will Alaska add more European routes from Seattle (London, Paris, etc.), or extend Rome into year-round service?

• Commercial response: How will legacy carriers and Gulf carriers react on price and schedule to defend traffic between the U.S. West Coast and Italy?