Alaska Airlines will add two major European destinations to its long-haul network in 2027, launching nonstop flights from Seattle to Athens and Paris with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Seasonal service to Athens will begin on May 12, followed by flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle on May 25. Tickets for both routes went on sale on August 20, 2026.
The Athens route will be particularly significant for the carrier, becoming the longest flight in Alaska Airlines’ network and the first-ever nonstop connection between Seattle and the Greek capital.
With the addition of Athens and Paris, Alaska will serve seven intercontinental destinations from Seattle as it continues a major expansion of its largest hub.
“We fly where our guests aspire to go, and Athens and Paris have been high on that list for years,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci.
“As we build to more than 12 international long-haul routes from Seattle in the coming years, we’re giving travelers more ways to connect to the world and more opportunities to use Atmos Rewards.”
Seattle-Athens flights start May 12
Alaska’s new Seattle-Athens service will operate three times per week from May 12 through October 2027.
Flight AS196 will depart Seattle at 4:30 PM and arrive in Athens at 2:20 PM the following day. The return service will leave Athens at 4:20 PM and arrive in Seattle at 6:55 PM.
The route will make Alaska the only airline offering nonstop flights between the US West Coast and Athens when operations begin.
It will also be the first direct connection between Athens and the Pacific Northwest.
“We are thrilled to welcome Alaska Airlines’ decision to directly connect Seattle to Athens as of May 2027,” said George Kallimasias, Managing Director and CEO of Athens International Airport.
“This brand-new destination in our network, the first-ever nonstop service to Athens from the Pacific Northwest, will further strengthen Athens’ dynamically growing connectivity with the United States and open a new bridge for tourism, business, investment and trade between Greece and the U.S. West Coast.”
Alaska to fly Seattle-Paris five times a week
Paris will join Alaska’s network less than two weeks later, with the first Seattle-Paris Charles de Gaulle flight scheduled for May 25.
The route will operate five times per week through October 2027.
Flights will leave Seattle at 5:25 PM and arrive at Paris CDG at 12:25 PM the following day. Westbound services will depart Paris at 2:25 PM and reach Seattle at 3:50 PM.
Alaska said Paris is one of the most searched international destinations on its website and one of the destinations most frequently requested by members of its Atmos Rewards loyalty programme.
The schedule will also allow same-day connections between Honolulu and Paris via Seattle, extending the airline’s European connectivity from its second-largest hub in Hawaii.
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to operate both routes
Both European services will be operated with Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
The aircraft will feature the carrier’s developing long-haul international product, including lie-flat suites in Business Class and multi-course dining.
Alaska is also rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi across its own fleet and that of Hawaiian Airlines, with the installation programme expected to continue through 2027. Eligible Atmos Rewards members will receive complimentary access through the airline’s partnership with T-Mobile.
The new routes follow Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines and its resulting push into long-haul international flying, with the combined group’s widebody fleet providing new opportunities from Seattle.
Alaska targets more than 12 long-haul routes from Seattle
Athens and Paris will join an expanding intercontinental network from Seattle that includes Iceland, London, Rome, Seoul and Tokyo.
Alaska plans to add at least five more intercontinental destinations by 2030, supported by additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
The carrier currently operates more than 360 peak-day departures and serves 110 nonstop destinations from the Seattle area.
Its oneworld membership and other airline partnerships also provide onward connections across Europe, the Middle East and Asia from its growing long-haul network.
Alaska is investing in its ground product at Seattle alongside the route expansion, including plans for a new international lounge and further changes to its onboard service.
The airline has also partnered with Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold for a multi-season marketing campaign promoting its expanding global network.
