Alaska Airlines Takes Off to Rome, Marking Its First European Route

The seasonal daily service will run through October 23, 2026. Outbound flights leave Seattle in the late afternoon and arrive in Rome the next day, while return legs depart Italy in the mid‑afternoon and reach Seattle on the same calendar day, thanks to the westbound time change.

According to Alaska, the route gives Seattle travelers the only daily nonstop option to Rome. It also creates a new one‑stop connection between Hawaii and Europe via Seattle, leveraging the airline’s recent combination with Hawaiian Airlines.

A Milestone in Alaska’s Global Ambitions

Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci described the launch as a significant step in the company’s long‑term growth strategy. “Service to Rome expands how we connect our guests to the world, strengthens Seattle’s role as a global gateway and is made possible by our people who deliver safety, care and performance with every flight. Andiamo!” he said.

The Rome route is part of a broader push to transform Seattle into a major international hub. Following its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Air Group now operates subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air, with hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

New Business Class Suites and Cargo Capabilities

The Seattle‑Rome flight is operated using a Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner, painted in Alaska’s new global livery. The aircraft features 34 international business class suites, a product Alaska recently introduced as part of its long‑haul expansion across Asia and Europe. Passengers in these suites enjoy multi‑course dining, a Salt & Straw dessert cart, amenity kits with Salt & Stone products, and Filson bedding and pillows.

The same suite experience is already available on Alaska’s Seattle‑Seoul route and will be offered on the upcoming year‑round Seattle‑London service, which begins May 21, 2026. Alaska also plans to bring the 787 back to the Seattle‑Tokyo route this fall.

Beyond passenger travel, the new Rome service expands Alaska’s cargo operation. As of April 28, the airline became the first U.S. passenger carrier to offer daily nonstop cargo service between Seattle and Rome, adding to a cargo network that now reaches 109 destinations worldwide.

Starlink Wi‑Fi on the Horizon

Alaska has confirmed that its full Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner fleet will receive Starlink Wi‑Fi this fall. Once completed, Alaska and Hawaiian will offer Starlink across all widebody aircraft, with a full rollout across both airlines’ entire fleets planned for 2027.

A Long‑Awaited Link Between the Pacific Northwest and Italy

Ryan Calkins, President of the Port of Seattle Commission, noted that the Rome service opens one of Seattle’s largest unserved markets. “Creating 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,” he said.

The launch positions Alaska Airlines as a growing force in international travel, moving beyond its traditional West Coast footprint. With additional long‑haul routes already in the pipeline, including the year‑round London service and a return to Tokyo, the carrier is steadily building out a global network that now touches Europe for the first time.

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