Alaska Airlines Debuts Global Livery and London Heathrow Route

Alaska Airlines is rewriting its playbook—and repainting its planes—as it prepares to cross the Atlantic in 2026. In a notable expansion that positions the Seattle-based carrier as a serious player in global travel, the airline announced two new international routes launching next spring: daily nonstop service from Seattle to London Heathrow and Reykjavik, Iceland.

The announcement also includes an all-new livery design for its fleet of up to 17 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, signaling a transformation that extends far beyond route maps.

Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

“With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world,” said Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines. “We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up. And we’re doing it with the same relentless focus on safety, care, and performance that’s always defined us.”

London Calling

Launching in spring 2026, the new year-round daily service to Heathrow will be operated by the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 planes.

The widebody jet comes with 34 fully lie-flat Business Class suites with privacy doors, direct aisle access, and 18-inch entertainment screens—an offering clearly aimed at corporate travelers seeking comfort and productivity while crossing the Atlantic.

Photo: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Business Class. Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines

London is the largest intercontinental market from Seattle, with more than 400 passengers traveling between the cities each day. This route marks a significant strategic move for Alaska, connecting the West Coast to one of the world’s most important financial and cultural hubs.

Through its deepening partnerships with both American Airlines and British Airways, Alaska aims to offer seamless connectivity beyond London to Europe and beyond. The route will also give travelers from Alaska and Hawaii convenient one-stop service to the UK capital via Seattle.

Reykjavik Beckons

Also launching next spring is a daily seasonal route from Seattle to Reykjavik, Iceland, operating during the summer months when the Land of Fire and Ice experiences nearly 24 hours of daylight.

Reykjavík, Iceland / Photo: Harald Nachtmann/Moment/Getty Images

The route will be served by Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, which is quickly becoming the longest flight operated on this aircraft not only by Alaska but by all North American carriers.

Currently, Icelandair is the only airline operating this route, having recently transitioned from the Boeing 757 to a brand-new Airbus on the 7-hour and 30-minute journey.

Reykjavik is increasingly popular as a starting point for European adventures and as a destination in its own right, especially among West Coast travelers seeking nature, hiking, and geothermal wonders.

A New Livery for a New Era

Alaska’s announcement also showcased a surprising reimagining of its brand image for global service. The new livery, to debut on 787-9 Dreamliners beginning in January 2026, draws inspiration from the Aurora Borealis—a phenomenon closely tied to the airline’s namesake state.

Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

“Our new 787 exterior embodies Alaska’s transition to a global airline with beauty, grace, and a nod to our heritage,” said Andrew Harrison, Chief Commercial Officer at Alaska. “As we significantly expand to new destinations around the globe, we’re eager for more and more travelers to recognize our new livery as being Alaska Airlines and appreciate the outstanding service we’ve long been known for.”

Key design elements feature a color palette of deep midnight blues and emerald greens, with flowing aura lines that resemble the Northern Lights. Additionally, there is a horizontal stripe inspired by Alaska’s vintage liveries from the 1970s and 80s.

Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

For those who remain loyal to the iconic Alaska Native Chester face on its narrowbody fleet and the Pualani symbol on Hawaiian’s aircraft, don’t fear. The new Aurora Borealis livery will only be applied to the Dreamliners, while the rest of the fleet will remain unchanged.

Long-Haul Hub in Seattle

The new routes will be supported by a growing Dreamliner hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Alaska currently operates four 787-9s but plans to scale up to 17, with a new pilot base for 787 operations opening next spring.

Photo: Sea-Tac Airport. Courtesy of The Port of Seattle.

The Dreamliner will also soon feature on additional long-haul routes, including Seattle–Seoul Incheon beginning September 12, and Seattle–Tokyo Narita starting January 7, 2026. Flights to Rome are expected to begin later next spring.

Hawaiian’s Airbus A330 Upgrades

While the Dreamliners are the face of Alaska’s international expansion from Seattle, the airline is also investing heavily in its second-largest hub: Honolulu, where Hawaiian Airlines will continue operating Airbus A330 widebodies for long-haul and transcontinental flights from Hawai’i.

Photo: Airbus A330 Premium Cabin. Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines

According to Alaska, these aircraft will receive upgraded interiors, including lie-flat Business Class seats, a refreshed Premium Economy cabin, and redesigned Main Cabin seating, all paired with the renowned hospitality of Hawaiian’s crew.

Looking Ahead: Alaska’s Global Vision

By 2030, Alaska plans to serve at least 12 intercontinental destinations from Seattle, with London and Reykjavik becoming the fourth and fifth announced so far. The airline’s broader transformation strategy blends network expansion with product upgrades and brand evolution.

Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

Minicucci closed the announcement by applauding his team: “I’m so proud of how our people continue to step up and deliver as we push ahead on these initiatives, with even more to come.”

As the airline repositions itself from a West Coast mainstay to a global contender, business travelers can expect increased long-haul options with a distinctly Pacific Northwest flair.