SEATTLE, WA – Alaska Airlines announced its first-ever direct route to Europe, a nonstop service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO), set to begin in May 2026. This marks a significant step in the airline’s international expansion strategy.

Key Facts:

• First European Destination: The Seattle-Rome route will be Alaska Airlines’ inaugural direct flight to Europe, expanding its international network.
• Launch Date and Frequency: Flights are scheduled to commence in May 2026, operating four times a week on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
• Strategic Expansion: This new route is part of Alaska Airlines’ broader plan to transform its Seattle hub into a major global gateway, following recent additions of routes to Tokyo and Seoul.

The new service will provide the first direct connection between Seattle and Italy, a long-requested route for travelers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

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Direct Link to the Eternal City

The decision to launch service to Rome comes as the city has consistently been the most popular unserved European destination from Seattle. For years, travelers from the Pacific Northwest have expressed a strong desire for direct access to Italy, and Alaska Airlines is now responding to that demand. The new route aims to facilitate easier leisure and business travel, providing a convenient one-stop option for passengers across the West Coast and Hawaiʻi.

Flight Schedule and Aircraft Details

Flights from Seattle to Rome will depart on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 6:00 p.m. local time, arriving in Rome at 1:45 p.m. the following day. Return flights from Rome to Seattle will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing at 3:45 p.m. and arriving in Seattle at 6:00 p.m.

The route will be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. These wide-body jets were acquired as part of Alaska Airlines’ merger with Hawaiian Airlines, and the airline has indicated they will feature an “all-new flagship international travel experience.”

Seattle’s Growing Global Gateway

The Seattle-Rome flight represents the third wide-body international route launched by Alaska Air Group from its Seattle hub. The airline recently initiated daily nonstop service to Tokyo Narita (NRT) in May 2025, and flights to Seoul Incheon (ICN) are slated to begin in September 2025. These expansions align with Alaska Airlines’ strategic plan, “Alaska Accelerate,” which aims to generate $1 billion in incremental profit by increasing international connectivity and leveraging synergies from the Hawaiian Airlines acquisition. The airline projects to serve at least 12 international destinations with long-haul aircraft from Seattle by 2030.

Booking Information and Future Outlook

While flights are scheduled to begin in May 2026, tickets for the Seattle-Rome route are expected to go on sale in the fall of 2025. Travelers interested in the new service can join an early-access list on alaskaair.com/rome to be notified when bookings open. The addition of Rome to its network underscores Alaska Airlines’ commitment to establishing Seattle as a premier global gateway, offering passengers a growing array of international travel options.