Alaska Airlines has added daily, seasonal nonstop service between Seattle and Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport, with the first flight scheduled for April 28 2026. The carrier will also launch a year‑round nonstop route to London Heathrow, beginning next spring. Both services will operate on the 787‑Dreamliner, and the Seattle‑Rome schedule will increase from four flights a week to daily to meet strong guest demand.
The new routes are a key element of Alaska’s Accelerate plan, which seeks to transform Seattle into a global gateway and unlock $1 billion in incremental profit by 2027. By adding Rome and London, Alaska expands its reach into Europe while leveraging the scale and network synergies gained from the Hawaiian Airlines acquisition, positioning the carrier to compete more directly with legacy carriers on transatlantic routes.
"With our nonstop service from Seattle to Rome and London, we’re opening the door to two of the world’s most iconic regions," said Andrew Harrison, Chief Commercial Officer. Ben Minicucci, CEO, added that the launch reflects the company’s commitment to delivering a premium international experience and that the new routes “unlock $1 billion in incremental pretax profit over the next three years.”
Alaska recently reported Q3 2025 results that showed a $73 million GAAP net income and a 23% revenue increase to $3.8 billion, but adjusted earnings fell to $1.05 per share, missing the $1.11 consensus. The company lowered its full‑year 2025 profit forecast to at least $2.40 per share from the prior $3.25, citing rising fuel costs and integration costs from the Hawaiian merger. The adjusted pretax margin contracted to 4.6% from 12.6% in the same quarter a year earlier, underscoring the pressure on profitability as the carrier expands its network.
Investors have expressed caution about the integration costs and margin compression, but analysts remain confident in the long‑term upside. The market reaction has been tempered by concerns about the cost of expanding the fleet and the challenges of integrating Hawaiian’s operations, yet the strategic benefits of a Seattle‑based European hub are viewed as a significant growth driver.
The new Rome and London routes signal Alaska’s intent to capture higher‑margin international traffic and diversify its revenue base. By leveraging the 787‑Dreamliner’s range and the company’s enhanced in‑flight amenities, Alaska aims to attract premium travelers while building a foundation for future European expansion. The launch aligns with the broader Accelerate plan and positions the carrier to capitalize on the growing demand for transatlantic travel from the Pacific Northwest.
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