Alaska Airlines Hits Europe: Rome Service Takes Off in 2026

Alaska Airlines continues to expand its international footprint with a bold move into Europe—launching the first-ever nonstop service between Seattle and Rome in May 2026.

The new route, which will be the longest in the airline’s recently launched long-haul network, will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This service marks a historic milestone for both the airline and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), as it will be the first nonstop service to Italy from this airport.

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines

“Serving Rome nonstop from Seattle is a dream come true,” said Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines. “As an Italian American whose parents emigrated from Italy, this is a particularly meaningful addition to our network. Our guests have been asking for an easy way to get to Italy for years, and we’re thrilled to provide it to people in the Northwest and beyond. Andiamo – let’s go!“

According to Minicucci, Rome has long been the most-requested European destination by Alaska’s Mileage Plan members, and it stood out as the largest European market not already connected to Seattle by a nonstop flight.

The new service positions Alaska Airlines as the first U.S. carrier to link the Pacific Northwest directly to Italy.

Flight Schedule and Booking Details

The new Seattle–Rome flights will operate four times weekly beginning in May 2026, just in time for the busy summer season, with bookings opening in fall 2025 on both alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com.

Flight Schedule:

• SEA–FCO: Departs 6:00 p.m. (M, W, F, Su) → Arrives 1:45 p.m. +1
• FCO–SEA: Departs 3:45 p.m. (M, T, Th, Sa) → Arrives 6:00 p.m.

The flights will be operated with a Boeing 787-9, part of Alaska’s growing widebody fleet acquired through its merger with Hawaiian Airlines.

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

The aircraft will feature Alaska’s new long-haul premium product, which the carrier has hinted will deliver a globally competitive onboard experience.

Expanding a Global Gateway in Seattle

Alaska Airlines has announced its third long-haul international route from Seattle: service to Rome. This follows the introduction of daily flights to Tokyo Narita, which launched on May 12, and the upcoming flights to Seoul Incheon, set to begin on September 12. With this new route, Rome will become the airline’s farthest destination, covering nearly 5,700 miles and resulting in a flight time of approximately 11 hours.

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

All three intercontinental routes align with Alaska’s strategic “Alaska Accelerate” plan, which aims to generate $1 billion in incremental profit following its merger with Hawaiian Airlines.

Seattle–Tacoma is already the airline’s largest hub, serving 104 nonstop destinations in North America. With the addition of Rome, SEA is poised to become a key global launchpad for Alaska’s future growth.

Back in March, Minicucci confirmed Europe was firmly on the airline’s radar. Speaking at the Wings Club in New York, he said: “The community couldn’t be more excited to start using their miles, and even the business community is excited about some of the places that we’re going to go.”

Photo: Ben Minicucci. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

Rome is the first to be confirmed in Europe, but other cities—including London and Paris—have been under consideration, as hinted during Alaska’s internal investor day in December. Rome was the logical first step: a strong market with no nonstop competition from Seattle and high demand from frequent flyers.

A Strategic Gateway for Leisure and Business

Centrally located in Italy, Rome is an ideal springboard for business and leisure travelers heading to Central and Southern Europe, or embarking on Mediterranean cruises from nearby Civitavecchia—Europe’s second-largest cruise port.

Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) connects to over 230 destinations in 80 countries and is undergoing a €9 billion modernization project. With its Skytrax 5-Star airport rating and expedited e-gate entry for U.S. and Canadian nationals, FCO offers a streamlined and premium arrival experience.

Photo: Courtesy of Enrique Perrella

“We are immensely proud that Alaska Airlines has chosen Rome as its first destination in Europe,” said Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma. “This decision confirms the strategic relevance of our airport as a global hub for air connectivity… Today, Fiumicino ranks among the leading European airports in terms of direct flights to North America.”

Alaska’s Global Ambitions Take Flight

With its Rome debut, Alaska Airlines takes a confident stride into the competitive transatlantic market. While rivals such as Delta and British Airways dominate Seattle–Europe traffic, no airline currently serves the Seattle–Rome market nonstop—giving Alaska a distinct opportunity.

Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

Rome’s upcoming Jubilee Year in 2025, which has prompted citywide renovations, will make the “Eternal City” even more attractive to tourists. Pilgrims and travelers alike will find a revitalized Rome ready to welcome millions of visitors.

Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines is betting big on long-haul growth. Its new widebody fleet, international strategy, and expanding hub in Seattle signal the airline’s ambition to transform from a dominant West Coast player into a truly global competitor.