Alaska Airlines has confirmed May 21 as the launch date for its new Seattle–London Heathrow service, a key step in the carrier’s long-anticipated move into the European market.
The daily, year-round route will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, positioning Alaska to compete directly with Delta, Virgin Atlantic and fellow Oneworld partner British Airways on one of the Pacific Northwest’s most in-demand long-haul corridors.
The new service is part of a broader international strategy that will see Alaska introduce two additional European routes next spring: Seattle–Rome and Seattle–Reykjavik. Together, these launches represent the airline’s most significant network expansion in decades as it seeks to elevate Seattle’s role as a transatlantic gateway.
For travelers, the move adds fresh competition and new connectivity options, while for Alaska Airlines, it signals a decisive shift toward long-haul international growth.
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