Seattle is getting two new nonstop links to Europe.
Alaska Airlines has announced plans to launch seasonal flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Athens and Paris in May 2027, giving travelers in the Pacific Northwest direct access to two of Europe’s most popular destinations.
The announcement is significant for Alaska Airlines because the Seattle-Athens route will become the airline’s longest flight ever. It will also create the first nonstop connection between the Pacific Northwest and Greece.
At the same time, the new Paris service will give Seattle travelers another direct option for reaching France without connecting through another U.S. or European airport.
Both routes are now available for booking, with introductory roundtrip Main Cabin fares starting at $999 for eligible U.S. purchases through August 26, 2026, subject to availability and applicable terms.
Athens Becomes Alaska’s Longest Flight
The Seattle-Athens service is perhaps the bigger headline of the two new routes.
Alaska Airlines will begin flying between Seattle and Athens International Airport (ATH) on May 12, 2027. The seasonal service is scheduled to operate three times a week through October.
The flight will be operated as AS196, departing Seattle at 4:30 p.m. and reaching Athens at 2:20 p.m. the following day.
The return flight will leave Athens at 4:20 p.m. and arrive in Seattle at 6:55 p.m.
Beyond the new destination itself, the route represents a milestone for the airline. Alaska says it will be the longest route in its history and the first nonstop flight connecting the Pacific Northwest directly with Greece.
For travelers based in Washington and surrounding states, that means reaching Athens without first traveling to another major U.S. gateway.
Paris Gets a New Five-Day-a-Week Connection
Paris will follow shortly after Athens.
Alaska Airlines will launch its Seattle-Paris service on May 25, 2027, with five flights per week scheduled through the fall.
The westbound flight, AS136, will depart Seattle at 5:25 p.m. and arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at 12:25 p.m. the next day.
The return service is scheduled to depart Paris at 2:25 p.m. and arrive in Seattle at 3:50 p.m.
Paris has been one of the most searched international destinations on Alaska Airlines' website, making the route a logical addition as the airline expands its long-haul network.
Why These Routes Matter Beyond Seattle
The new flights are part of a much larger strategy.
Alaska Airlines has been building Seattle into a major international hub, with nonstop intercontinental services already operating to destinations including London, Rome, Reykjavik, Seoul and Tokyo.
The airline has ambitious plans to add at least five more intercontinental destinations by 2030.
That expansion is particularly relevant following Alaska Airlines' acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. Honolulu is now one of the airline's largest hubs, and the new European schedule creates additional possibilities for Hawaii-Europe travel.
One notable example is the planned same-day connection between Honolulu and Paris via Seattle. Instead of requiring travelers to make a longer or less convenient connection elsewhere, the new schedule is designed to make the journey possible through Alaska's Seattle hub.
Flying Europe on Alaska's Boeing 787
These won't be short-haul aircraft simply stretched across a longer route.
Alaska will operate both services with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring the airline's newer international cabin experience.
Business Class passengers will have access to lie-flat Suites, while the onboard offering includes multi-course meals and premium amenities from West Coast brands including Filson and Salt & Stone.
Atmos Rewards members will also benefit from complimentary high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi as the technology continues to be introduced across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines aircraft.
For Alaska, the aircraft choice is another indication that these routes are part of a long-term international expansion rather than simply seasonal experiments.
What It Means for Travel Agents
The expansion also creates new opportunities for travel agencies selling European holidays.
New nonstop services can make destinations such as Greece and France easier to package with hotels, tours, cruises and other travel products. Agents can also look at different fare sources when building international itineraries for customers.
For agencies looking to purchase international airfares, Travelagentmall operates as an airline consolidator, giving travel agents access to consolidator fares for airfare purchases across different markets.
This can be particularly useful when an agent is comparing published airline fares with available consolidator options before building a complete European itinerary for a customer.
Alaska's Seattle Expansion Is Just Getting Started
Athens and Paris are not being introduced as isolated additions.
Alaska Airlines says it expects to grow its Seattle international network to more than 12 long-haul international routes in the coming years. Additional Boeing 787 aircraft are also planned as the airline expands its long-haul operation.
The carrier is also working on a new international lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and further changes to its international onboard experience.
For Seattle travelers, the bigger story is therefore not simply two new European destinations. It is the transformation of Seattle into a much larger gateway for nonstop travel between the U.S. West Coast and international markets.
Alaska Airlines Europe Routes: Key Details
Seattle to Athens
- Starts: May 12, 2027
- Seasonal operation through October 2027
- Frequency: 3 flights per week
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Flight time: Alaska Airlines' longest route to date
Seattle to Paris
- Starts: May 25, 2027
- Seasonal operation through fall 2027
- Frequency: 5 flights per week
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
With Athens and Paris joining the network, Alaska Airlines is giving West Coast travelers two more ways to reach Europe nonstop while strengthening Seattle's role as the airline's primary international gateway.
For travel agencies, the additional capacity also provides more options when building Europe itineraries and comparing airline and consolidator airfare options through providers such as Travelagentmall.
Image Source: alaska airlines Instagram
Comments
Post a Comment