Alaska Airlines Unveils Seattle to London Heathrow Routes Featuring Boeing 787 Planes

Alaska Air Group is experiencing a major overhaul with its recent purchase of Hawaiian Airlines and intends to position Seattle-Tacoma as a prominent global hub. The airline plans to introduce several long-haul routes by 2030. Recent additions include services to Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon, with forthcoming routes to Rome and Keflavik set for 2026. Moreover, Alaska Airlines will initiate daily nonstop services between Seattle and London Heathrow starting May 21, 2026. This newly established route will be serviced by a Boeing 787-9, which will include 34 business class seats and 266 economy class seats. The flight timetable features a departure from Seattle at 9:40 PM, landing in London at 3:05 PM the following day, and a 5:00 PM departure from London, reaching Seattle at 6:45 PM. Tickets are now on sale, with roundtrip economy prices beginning at $699. Despite the competitive nature of the Seattle-London market, Alaska capitalizes on its alliance with British Airways to enhance connectivity for its passengers. Nonetheless, Alaska confronts hurdles due to its absence from long-haul joint ventures, which may affect its capacity to secure corporate contracts. Still, Alaska’s robust presence in the Pacific Northwest and its strategic alliances might help to alleviate these challenges. The airline’s growth underscores its desire to emerge as a significant contender in long-haul travel, with ongoing pursuits to join long-haul joint ventures for future expansion.