Alaska Airlines Launches First Transatlantic Route: Seattle to Rome

Well, this is a twist I didn’t have on my 2025 bingo card: Alaska Airlines is finally going transatlantic, and their first destination is Rome.

Let's dive into what we know and what I make of it.

Alaska Airlines is set to make its European debut with the launch of its first-ever transatlantic route, offering nonstop service between its home base Seattle (SEA) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) starting in May 2026. This is big, it marks the airline’s first European destination, and really, its first real leap into long-haul international flying.

The new route will operate four times a week and here’s the schedule:

SEA to FCO: Departs 6:00PM (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) → Arrives 1:45PM next day

FCO to SEA: Departs 3:45PM (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat) → Arrives 6:00PM same day

The route will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and that’s significant — more on that in a bit.

Yes. And no.

Technically, this route will be operated under Alaska Air Group, using Dreamliners inherited via its merger with Hawaiian Airlines. So while the tail may say "Alaska," the aircraft (and maybe some of the crew) are coming from Hawaiian. If you’ve flown Hawaiian’s A330s, you’ll know the product wasn’t exactly world-class to begin with, so I’m cautiously optimistic we’ll see something better with these 787s.

Personally, I can’t wait to see an Alaska-liveried 787 parked at SEA. It’s going to look... surreal. But in a good way.

A Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the aircraft type that will operate Alaska’s Seattle–Rome flights, thanks to Alaska Air Group’s fleet integration post-merger

I actually think this is a very smart move.

Here’s why Rome makes sense as Alaska’s first hop across the Atlantic:

Rome is the largest European market not previously served nonstop from Seattle

There’s ample demand, Alaska Mileage Plan members have been asking for it for years

Rome is easier to operate than Heathrow or Frankfurt (no slot drama)

It opens up easy one-stop West Coast to Italy options, especially for folks outside Seattle

The new route addresses this demand and positions Alaska Airlines as the sole carrier offering direct flights between the Pacific-Northwest and Italy.

From a strategic standpoint, this expansion aligns with Alaska's broader strategy to transform Seattle into a premier global gateway.

After adding Tokyo Narita in May 2025 and Seoul Incheon later this year, Rome becomes the third intercontinental destination in Alaska's growing international network.

Also, I love the personal touch from Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci, who called it a “dream come true” as the son of Italian immigrants. That kind of leadership storytelling isn’t something you usually get in a dry press release — and I’m here for it.

Rome Fiumicino (FCO) has come a long way, it serves as a key European hub; it's now a Skytrax 5-Star airport, with a €9 billion overhaul underway. You’ll get:

Easy e-gate immigration for U.S. and Canadian passport holders

Strong onward connections to 230+ global destinations in 80 countries

A gateway to all of Italy, from Amalfi to Florence to Sicily, making it an attractive destination for both leisure and business travelers

For West Coast travelers, this opens up a much-needed new link to Southern Europe. And for Alaska loyalists? This is your chance to finally earn and burn Mileage Plan miles on a transatlantic route.

And we know how many Mileage-Plan fans there are.

Inside Rome Fiumicino (FCO), a Skytrax 5-Star airport, and a destination in its own right with high-end shopping, modern lounges, and smooth connections across Europe

Tickets for the new Seattle–Rome route will be available for purchase in fall 2025 through alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com.

Want early access? You can sign up now at alaskaair.com/rome.

I’ll be curious to see how award pricing shakes out, and whether dynamic pricing rears its ugly head here. Fingers crossed for saver availability. You can currently snag awards from Europe to USA starting at 45,000 in business on AA through Mileage Plan, we will see if there are any similar prices on their own metal.

This is huge news, Alaska Airlines is finally entering the transatlantic game, and they’re doing it with style. I’m excited (and optimistic) to see a Dreamliner flying to Rome with an Alaska logo on the side.

Of course, there’s still a lot we don’t know — namely, what the onboard product will look like. Will we see a real long-haul business class? Are we getting Hawaiian’s current hard product, or will Alaska retrofit these jets into something new?

Whatever the case, I think this is a smart move. Alaska is planting a flag in Europe, and if they can pull it off with a competitive soft product and solid Mileage Plan redemption value, I see this as the start of something much bigger.