UK Joins France, Greece and More Countries as Alaska Airlines Expands Seattle Global Network with New Athens and Paris Flights: All You Need to Know

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UK joins France, Greece and more countries as Alaska Airlines expands its Seattle global network, opening fresh choices for international travellers. New Athens and Paris flights will deepen links with Europe. Meanwhile, the UK, France, Greece and more countries strengthen the Seattle global network across major tourism markets. Alaska Airlines expands again as new Athens and Paris flights join existing long-haul services. Travellers gain more nonstop options, while Europe becomes increasingly important to the airline’s international strategy. With Alaska Airlines building connections across continents, here is all you need to know about the expanding network and upcoming flights.

Alaska Airlines’ Latest and Upcoming Tourism Routes

The network changes stretch from winter 2026 into summer 2027.

The Athens and Paris routes will lift Alaska’s Seattle intercontinental network to seven destinations by summer 2027.

Seattle–Athens Opens a New Greece Tourism Gateway

One of Alaska’s most significant upcoming routes begins on 12 May 2027.

The airline will operate nonstop flights between Seattle and Athens three times weekly through October using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Alaska says it will become the first airline to connect Seattle and Athens nonstop. At launch, it will also provide the only nonstop service between the U.S. West Coast and the Greek capital.

The route will become the longest flight Alaska has ever operated.

Seattle departures are scheduled for 4:30 pm, arriving in Athens at 2:20 pm the following day. Return flights leave Athens at 4:20 pm and reach Seattle at 6:55 pm.

The connection creates a new direct tourism corridor between the Pacific Northwest and Greece while also giving passengers access to onward European travel opportunities.

Paris Joins Alaska’s European Network in May 2027

Paris follows shortly afterwards.

Alaska will begin nonstop Seattle–Paris flights on 25 May 2027, operating five times weekly through October.

Boeing 787-9 aircraft will also operate this route.

Seattle flights leave at 5:25 pm and arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle at 12:25 pm the following day. The return leaves Paris at 2:25 pm and reaches Seattle at 3:50 pm.

Alaska identifies Paris as one of the most searched international destinations on its website.

Together, Athens and Paris add two major European tourism destinations to Alaska’s expanding long-haul network.

Seven Intercontinental Destinations Will Connect Seattle by Summer 2027

Athens and Paris join five existing intercontinental destinations from Seattle.

This gives Alaska a network connecting Seattle directly with seven major markets across Europe and Asia.

The airline says at least five additional intercontinental routes are planned by 2030, supporting its target of serving at least 12 intercontinental destinations from Seattle.

Rome, London and Reykjavík Built the European Network in 2026

Alaska’s 2027 expansion builds on three European routes introduced during 2026.

Nonstop Seattle–Rome service began on 28 April 2026. The daily summer-seasonal service operates using Boeing 787-9 aircraft and marked Seattle’s first-ever nonstop service to Rome.

London followed on 21 May.

Seattle–London Heathrow operates daily throughout the year using wide-body Boeing 787 aircraft. Alaska operates at Heathrow Terminal 3, supporting connections with oneworld and other airline partners.

Reykjavík became the third European addition on 28 May 2026. The daily seasonal service uses a 737 MAX 8.

By adding Athens and Paris in 2027, Alaska will therefore expand its Seattle European network from three destinations to five.

Boeing 787-9 Supports Alaska’s Long-Haul Tourism Push

Aircraft investment is central to the expansion.

Athens and Paris will operate with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners featuring Alaska’s new long-haul passenger experience.

International Business Class includes lie-flat suites and multi-course dining. Premium travel amenities are also being introduced across the aircraft.

Starlink Wi-Fi installation is continuing across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines aircraft through 2027.

The 787 is also central to Alaska’s existing long-haul services, including Rome and London.

San Diego–Loreto Opens Another Mexico Tourism Connection

Alaska’s expansion is not confined to Seattle.

The airline will launch nonstop flights between San Diego and Loreto, Mexico, on 19 December 2026.

The seasonal service will operate through 28 April 2027, twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

SkyWest will operate the flights using Embraer E175 aircraft.

Loreto becomes Alaska’s 50th nonstop destination from San Diego, marking another milestone in the airline’s 40-year presence in the Southern California city.

The route creates a direct winter and spring travel option between San Diego and the Baja California Sur destination.

Alaska Continues Investing in Aircraft and Cabins

Alaska Air Group’s wider expansion is also being supported by fleet investment.

During the second quarter of 2026, the group took delivery of six Boeing 737-8 aircraft and two E175 aircraft. Another E175 entered the network through a SkyWest capacity-purchase agreement.

The airline also completed its 737 cabin retrofit programme, expanding First Class and Premium Class seating while refreshing interiors.

These improvements support both network growth and the passenger experience as Alaska expands beyond its traditional domestic and regional markets.

Seattle Flagship Lounge Will Support International Growth

Airport infrastructure is also changing alongside the route network.

Alaska plans to open a new two-level flagship lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in late 2027.

The airline says it will rank among the largest airline lounges in the United States and is being designed specifically to support its expanding international operation.

The project connects the carrier’s network growth with a broader upgrade of the passenger experience at its Seattle hub.

Alaska Targets at Least 12 Seattle Intercontinental Destinations by 2030

The significance of Athens and Paris extends beyond two individual routes.

By summer 2027, Alaska expects to connect Seattle with seven intercontinental destinations across seven countries. Rome, London and Reykjavík established its European presence in 2026, while Athens and Paris will deepen that network the following year. Seoul and Tokyo maintain the Asian side of the operation.

The carrier plans at least five additional intercontinental routes by 2030.

For travellers, this strategy means increasing opportunities to fly directly from Seattle to major international destinations. For tourism markets including Greece, France, Italy, the UK, Iceland, South Korea, Japan and Mexico, Alaska’s expansion creates new or expanded gateways to travellers from Seattle, the Pacific Northwest and connecting markets across the airline’s wider network.

UK Joins France, Greece and More Countries as Alaska Airlines Expands Seattle Global Network with New Athens and Paris Flights: All You Need to Know because the carrier is rapidly widening its long-haul reach. Athens starts on 12 May 2027, followed by Paris on 25 May. They join London, Rome, Reykjavík, Seoul and Tokyo, giving Seattle seven intercontinental destinations by summer 2027. The expansion also brings more Boeing 787 flying and additional premium travel options. With Alaska targeting at least 12 intercontinental Seattle destinations by 2030, these routes mark another major step in its international network strategy.

Image: Alaska Airlines