Alaska Airlines began daily nonstop service between Seattle and London Heathrow on May 24, 2026, opening a year-round link that the carrier says strengthens its international network. The new route, operating out of Terminal 3, is Alaska’s second European destination introduced in 2026, coming after the airline’s first-ever transatlantic route to Rome last month.
The Seattle-London flight gives UK travelers access to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Airlines’ West Coast network, including the Hawaiian Islands, while also offering connections across Europe and beyond on oneworld member and partner airlines. Alaska said the route’s cargo capacity will help move goods between North America and the UK, underscoring that the service is aimed at both passengers and freight.
Alaska’s chief commercial officer said the airline is trying to connect the West Coast to Europe in a way that feels distinctly Alaska, with a warm, thoughtful and elevated experience at every touchpoint. He said U.S. travelers are getting more convenient access to Europe through an airline they know well, while travelers in Europe and beyond are getting Alaska’s West Coast hospitality throughout the journey.
London Heathrow’s chief customer officer said every new route from the airport gives passengers and businesses more choice and stronger connections to the world. He added that Alaska Airlines’ new Seattle service deepens Heathrow’s transatlantic network and opens more opportunities for travel and trade between the UK and the U.S. West Coast, saying airline partnerships are key to keeping the UK competitive globally.
The Seattle-London launch is part of Alaska Airlines’ broader international push into Europe, with another milestone set for May 28, 2026, when the carrier plans to begin nonstop seasonal service to Reykjavík as its third European destination. Alaska also said the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport lounge it is planning will open in late 2027 as a two-level space and become one of the largest in the country, part of a multimillion-dollar investment across its expanding lounge portfolio.
The airline’s rapid overseas expansion signals how aggressively it is trying to grow beyond its traditional network. Alaska, which said it is the fourth largest global airline in the U.S., is pairing new routes with a stronger ground experience at home, betting that international travelers will notice both the schedule and the service.
