U.S. carrier Alaska Airlines has announced the expansion of its international network with the launch of two new routes from Seattle to Europe—London Heathrow and Reykjavik. The London service is scheduled to commence in spring 2026 and will operate daily throughout the year, utilizing Boeing 787-9 aircraft. By introducing this route, Alaska Airlines enters a highly competitive transatlantic market from the U.S. West Coast to one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.
The Reykjavik flights will also begin in spring, but as a seasonal summer service. These flights will be operated by the Boeing 737 MAX 8, which the airline sees as an ideal choice for medium-capacity transatlantic travel.
Coinciding with the announcement of the new destinations, Alaska Airlines also unveiled a refreshed visual identity for its wide-body fleet. The updated livery draws inspiration from the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis, featuring deep blue and green hues, flowing lines, and a subtle horizontal band running the length of the fuselage. Paired with the airline’s recognizable tailfin icon, the new design reflects an effort to blend traditional branding with the company’s global aspirations. The refreshed look will first be applied to the Boeing 787-9 fleet, which will form the backbone of Alaska’s long-haul operations from its Seattle hub. The airline plans to have at least 17 of these aircraft in service by the end of the decade, positioning Seattle as a major U.S. gateway for transatlantic travel.
These two new routes mark the fourth and fifth international destinations Alaska Airlines is launching as part of its broader global expansion strategy. Following the previously announced Rome route, the additions of London and Reykjavik further solidify Seattle’s role as the airline’s international hub. With planned services to Tokyo and Seoul, along with strategic airline partnerships, Alaska Airlines is signaling a clear ambition to evolve from a regional operator into a fully-fledged global carrier. Ticket sales for the new European routes are expected to begin later this fall, and travelers can already sign up for updates via the official website alaskaair.com.
