Alaska Airlines Challenges Delta and Korean Air with New Seattle-Seoul Route
The airline is launching its first-ever flight to South Korea with its newly-acquired Hawaiian Airlines aircraft
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines / Alex Viernes
Alaska Airlines is expanding its international reach by launching a new nonstop route connecting its Seattle hub to Seoul Incheon. Operated by Hawaiian Airlines, these flights are scheduled to begin on September 12 with the airline’s newly acquired Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
This new route is part of the airline’s vision to transform Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) into a global gateway on the West Coast, from which Alaska aims to serve at least 12 nonstop international destinations by 2030.
Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines
The new route to Seoul comes on the heels of the upcoming launch of daily flights to Tokyo Narita, set to begin on May 12.
In addition to the two Asian routes, Alaska’s Seattle base offers 104 nonstop destinations across North America. The airline’s growing network, combined with connections through its global partners, aims to provide seamless travel to major Asian destinations.
“With our robust network, we can connect our guests through our global gateway in Seattle, offering convenient nonstop service to both Seoul and Tokyo, with additional connections to other Asian destinations via our global partners,” said Andrew Harrison, Chief Commercial Officer at Alaska Airlines.
Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines
“As we expand our global network from Seattle in the coming years, we will announce new international routes to exciting destinations that we know our guests will love to visit.”
Notably, the inaugural flights to Seoul will coincide with Chuseok, South Korea’s traditional Thanksgiving holiday, providing an opportunity for travelers to reunite with loved ones.
Competition Heats Up
The newly launched route to South Korea is poised to face intense competition from established players in the market. Delta Air Lines—Alaska’s long-standing rival in Seattle—and its joint venture partner, Korean Air, currently dominate this route with daily flights, operated with new Airbus A330-900neo and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, respectively.
These aircraft are equipped with Delta’s luxurious Delta One suites and Korean Air’s brand-new Prestige 2.0 cabin, offering travelers a premium experience.
Photo: Airbus A330 Premium Cabin. Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines
In addition, Asiana Airlines, another significant South Korean carrier that is in the process of merging with Korean Air, also serves this route utilizing its new fleet of Airbus A350-900s.
In contrast, Hawaiian will operate this route with older Airbus A330-200s, which feature business class cabins that some travel experts deem outdated. However, Shane Tackett, the Chief Financial Officer of Hawaiian Airlines, indicated in a December interview with CNBC that an upgrade of these cabins is imminent, promising enhancements that will elevate the overall travel experience.
Photo: Airbus A330 Premium Cabin. Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines
Alaska Airlines is seeking to position itself to capitalize on its established strength in the Seattle market. By attracting connecting traffic from its extensive domestic network, coupled with its membership in the Oneworld alliance, the airline aims to expand its influence in this competitive transpacific route.
According to Alaska, the new flights to Seoul Incheon will be as follows:
| Route | Departure | Arrival | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle – Seoul | 3:25 p.m. | 6:50 p.m. +1 | We, Th, Fr, Sa, Su | Airbus A330 |
| Seoul – Seattle | 8:50 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. | Mo, Th, Fr, Sa, Su | Airbus A330 |
When comparing departure times from Seattle to Seoul, both Delta and Korean Air depart at 11:30 am and 12:00 pm, respectively. Alaska’s proposed schedule will depart at 3:25 pm, offering customers a much later departure out of Seattle.
Alaska’s Global Ambitions
Now that Alaska Airlines has decided to expand its operations globally following its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal, the airline’s access to Hawaiian’s widebody fleet—which consists of 24 Airbus A330-200 aircraft and two Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with an additional ten Dreamliners on order—will help the airline grow and compete against other international carriers operating in and out of Seattle.
Previously, Alaska’s operations were limited to narrowbody jets and regional routes within North and Central America.
Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines
By utilizing its new widebody capacity, Alaska aims to enhance its international offerings and increase profitability. The airline has set a goal of generating an additional $1 billion in revenue by 2027, backed by the expanded network.
“From our global gateway in Seattle, we can conveniently connect travelers across our network as they head to Asia and beyond,” said Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci. “Hawaiian’s spacious widebody aircraft, along with its excellent onboard service and amenities, will ensure a terrific trip from one side of the Pacific Rim to the other.”
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines
With this expansion into Asia, Alaska is positioning itself as a significant player in transpacific travel. The combined strengths of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines will provide travelers with more options and a seamless travel experience, reinforcing Seattle’s status as a critical hub for international connectivity.
However, Alaska Airlines is venturing into new territory by expanding into premium and long-haul operations. This move brings significant risks, as it involves launching an entirely new level of service amidst fierce competition on these routes. The success of their new flights to Tokyo and Seoul is yet to be determined.
