Alaska Airlines announces Rome as its first European destination

Alaska Airlines is expanding its reach into the European travel market with the announcement of new flights to and from Rome, Italy, set to begin in May 2026. This marks a significant milestone for the airline as it will be the first time travelers can fly nonstop from Seattle, Washington, to Italy on any airline. The flights will be operated on Boeing 787-9 aircraft obtained through the merger with Hawaiian Airlines in 2023.

The decision to introduce this new route is part of Alaska Air’s strategic plan to increase its global presence. CEO Ben Minicucci shared with CBS News that the airline aims to serve 12 global destinations across multiple continents by 2030. The new route to Rome will consist of four weekly flights in each direction. Departures from Seattle will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with arrivals in Rome at 1:45 p.m. local time the following day. Flights from Rome to Seattle will depart at 3:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, arriving in Seattle at 6 p.m.

Tickets for these new flights will be available for purchase in the fall. The choice of Rome as the inaugural European destination was influenced by feedback from reward members, who have consistently expressed interest in traveling to this historic city.

As Alaska Airlines continues to expand its global footprint, this move into the European market signifies the airline’s commitment to meeting the demands of its passengers and providing them with more travel options. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development in the airline industry.

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