It’s quite a transformative time for Alaska Air Group, as the company acquired Hawaiian Airlines, and is turning Seattle-Tacoma into a global hub, with plans to launch a dozen long haul routes by 2030.
We’ve recently seen the airline add flights to Tokyo Narita (NRT) and to Seoul Incheon (ICN). Next we’re seeing the airline expand to Europe, with flights to Rome (FCO) as of April 2026, and flights to Keflavik (KEF) as of May 2026, with both routes already being on sale. Now another Europe route has just been put on sale…
In this post:
Alaska adding Seattle to London flights as of May 2026
As of May 21, 2026, Alaska Airlines will launch daily, year-round nonstop flights between Seattle (SEA) and London Heathrow (LHR). The service will operate with the following schedule:
AS100 Seattle to London Heathrow departing 9:40PM arriving 3:05PM (+1 day)
AS101 London Heathrow to Seattle departing 5:00PM arriving 6:45PM
The 4,800-mile flight is blocked at 9hr25min eastbound and 9hr45min westbound.
Alaska will operate the flight with a Boeing 787-9, featuring 34 business class seats and 266 economy class seats. The company recently revealed new branding plans for Dreamliners, as they’ll feature an all-new livery.
The flight is now bookable, with roundtrip economy fares starting at $699. When it comes to redeeming Alaska Atmos Rewards points, unfortunately award pricing isn’t amazing. I generally see one-way rates of 42,500 points in economy, or 200,000 points in business class.
The market between Seattle and London is quite competitive, and is currently served by British Airways, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic. Alaska has a partnership with British Airways, while Delta and Virgin Atlantic have a joint venture. Alaska points out how 400 people travel between the two cities per day (which is a significant number, but it’s not exactly an underserved market).
My take on Alaska’s expansion to London Heathrow
On the surface, London Heathrow would likely be the first long haul destination that you’d expect a US airline to serve, though it’s not necessarily that straightforward.
First of all, keep in mind that London Heathrow is slot restricted, so actually getting access to the airport isn’t that easy. It’s my understanding that Alaska is leasing a slot pair from partner American Airlines, in order to make this service possible.
Next, of course this route seems like a no-brainer in terms of Alaska being a part of oneworld, along with British Airways. This means the route opens up all kinds of one-stop connectivity for Alaska customers, whether it’s between points in the Pacific Northwest and London, or between Seattle and points around the globe.
That being said, Alaska does have some general disadvantages here. One of the challenges with Alaska becoming a long haul competitor is that the airline doesn’t belong to any long haul joint ventures, which are ordinarily the most lucrative long haul services, since they allow airlines to coordinate schedules, fares, and more.
Airlines belonging to joint ventures generally try to book passengers within their joint ventures, given the revenue sharing policies in place. So Alaska likely won’t get much help from partners with filling seats on this flight. Then again, given Alaska’s strong presence in the Pacific Northwest, that’s not necessarily a huge issue. It might make it hard to secure some corporate contracts, though.
We know that Alaska is trying to join some long haul joint ventures, though that requires all parties to be onboard with that, and also requires regulatory approval. So while we know this is a long term goal, it likely won’t happen overnight. Still, I think American is happy to have Alaska join its long haul joint ventures, simply as a competitive move against Delta and United.
Bottom line
As of May 2026, Alaska Airlines will launch a new daily flight between Seattle and London Heathrow with a Boeing 787. Tickets are now on sale, and this service is made possible by American leasing a slot pair to Alaska.
It’s impressive to see Alaska’s long haul ramp up, and in particular, it’s cool to see the carrier’s branding strategy come to life. I’m looking forward to seeing how this all evolves.
What do you make of Alaska’s new Seattle to London Heathrow route?
The Alaska 787s look okay (have not flown them yet). Summer economy pricing is surprisingly competitive, but the business class pricing not so much...
I assume that future 787 deliveries will have a true premium economy cabin?! No way they will be able to compete with any airline marketing themselves as upscale without a true premium product. Extra legroom is NOT a premium product no matter what they call it. I fly Alaska first class only, and it's okay, Delta has generally better food and more consistent service in first. Alaska current "premium class " doesn't get any additional...
I assume that future 787 deliveries will have a true premium economy cabin?! No way they will be able to compete with any airline marketing themselves as upscale without a true premium product. Extra legroom is NOT a premium product no matter what they call it. I fly Alaska first class only, and it's okay, Delta has generally better food and more consistent service in first. Alaska current "premium class " doesn't get any additional service, you just get a free drink during the single cabin service.
Seppos invading yet again.
Why would anyone want to fly from London to Seattle on a U.S. airline? Especially, when they can travel First Class on a World Class Airline, to the much preferred destination of Vancouver?
A really beautiful location, with friendly inhabitants and real cultural attractions. Even the organ grinders monkey would dance with joy there …. :-)
Hi Ben
I thought you would have picked this up by now, but on 4 Dec an article was published in the San Diego Union Tribune (San Diego UT) that Alaska is opening a base in SD and hiring hundreds. As a SD resident that's good news for me, but it looks like they are not flying my favorite non-stop transcon from SAN to EWR next year. I hope it's just temporary.
The Alaska cabin isn’t as nice as the cabins used by Deltas 330-900 on the SEA-LHR route.
Yes but the days of delta offering business class from sea to Europe for under 100k ow is long gone. It's not anywhere close to that anymore. If Alaska competes and be more like flying blue (where my last sea Europe business class was 70k), I would prefer Alaska. Until then I'm sticking with flying blue.
Love Alaska Airlines and wish I could fly with them more often. I truly wish them the best of success. Great airline with outstanding people.
The new Alaska livery looks like it was modeled on Cathay Pacific. I know AS tried to add the Northern Lights. We’ll be flying AS SEA-ICN, then CX on to KIX, TPE, and HKG. We might try AS to FCO in June. Why not? As an AS Titanium, I’m glad to have an alternative US carrier TPAC and TATL.
Don't forget the cargo component of flights ex SEA.
There is occasionally a very profitable cargo opportunity out of SEA. Especially when there's an AOG.
Everytime someone talks about cargo being important, I know to not take them seriously.
Cargo really only averages 20ish% of revenue with the vast majority 70, 80% being passenger revenue.
Cargo is not going to turn a route into a success.
Cargo isn't about average revenue; it's about optimising the capacity in the belly of the aircraft that would otherwise be unused, and the lift capability of the aircraft, and then capitalising on unique spikes and flows like AOGs, valuables. It's the difference between a broken route and a break-even route.
Cargo is a tablestakes aspect, not a profit driver, if you don't fill it, you will bleed even more money. Profit comes from filling the front of the cabin and maintaining strong yields.
Regardless, Alaska is behind the curve on cargo and doesn't have the lucrative cargo contracts.
Every time someone ends their blog name with 420, I know to not take them seriously.
Which one are you? Cheech or Chong?
"Far out, man!"
400 people per day and 5 daily flights means each plane is flying out with 80 passengers. Even if BA cut one of their flights that seems like too many flights for too few people
that's JUST a number referring to people going between Seattle and London only. Once you add connectivity at either end the number increases substantially.
Please don't be another jetblue please don't be another jetblue please don't be another jetblue
I'm not sure this will be all that lucrative given that they had to lease expensive slots from AA and compete with 3 other airlines on this route, the margins will be slim, while their operating costs are going to go way up too.
Having 6 competitors already on a route is going to be tough for them to break through. Let's see what happens!
Booo; the LHR - SEA flight leaves too late in the afternoon, making it a loooong day travelling and then you miss your connections going further west e.g to Hawaii or Tokyo, forcing an overnight in a hotel.
Connections are not a key part of Alaska's business model, which is focused on traffic into and out of Seattle.
Other '1990,' please note that UncleRonnie doesn't like '1990,' so, be prepared for hostility. Feel free to go 'rough' with him. Bah!
Thanks 1990, noted and understood!
Wrong again as usual @1990, connections are a very big part of Alaska's business model.
In fact they even market how SEA geography makes it an ideal connection for longhaul flights.
SEA has a relatively high percentage of connections compared to other West Coast hubs because of Alaska's business model.
Only a dummy would fly from LHR-SEA-TOK. You can go directly from LHR for far cheaper and FAR less time (approximately 12.5 hours non-stop) LHR-SEA is 12 hours and then SEA-TOK is another 11.5 hours.
Ron,
Note that the final departure out of SEA is at 2:25AM. You need nearly 8 hours for a layover?
@Rod - I have a lot to declare when I get to customs :)
Well this is ever stranger than Zipair flying to Orlando. Imagine flying on an airplane that says HAWAIIAN (also HAWAIIAN AOC), but the airline is called ALASKA, but your flying from Seattle, Washington (Not HAWAII or ALASKA) to the UNITED KINGDOM. Funny!
The plane will say "Alaska" on it, in their new livery, that they've announced for their 787s. Did you not read?
Settle down and show a little respect there, Jay! I have a reading and comprehension methodology that you would envy and know exactly how to read perfectly for understanding.
Hawaiians AOC is no more. All Alaska AOC now. Try to keep up.
Looking at Seatmaps, no premium economy on AS B787.
Ouch, that's going to make for a disadvantage compare to the balance of LHR carriers; eleven hours in economy is no fun!
Please correct me if I am wrong, but from what I have read, the leased slots from AA are only valid for six months. Hope AS has a renewal option!
Wish someone, anyone, would bring back lie-flat for transcon to SEA; these are 5-6 hour flights, after all, often redeyes. Delta used to operate its 757 with 2-2 older lie-flat, which was nice. jetBlue flies JFK-YVR Mint. But, these days SEA gets no love. Just recliners. *yawn*
Alaska, do what Singapore did, take some 737 Max, add lie-flat in-front, start competing in actual 'premium' on SEA-NYC, please.
The fares on SEA-transcons are not high enough to support lie flat seats. That's why you dont see them there. It's not as premium a market as some people seem to think here.
Wrong again!!!
Can Alaska be a truly global airline with the Alaska branding? It just seems very limiting. “Alaska” it doesn’t even reflect what they are now beyond some vague sense of adventure that Alaska may have once represented - oddly enough, “Frontier” or “Northwest” would be more apt names for the carrier.)
There are plenty of airlines named after cities or regions that do just fine in international markets. For instance, there are several PROC airlines named after cities or regions, like Hainan, Xiamen, and Sichuan; there's also Hong Kong Airlines, which flies a330 to SEA. Just saying, there are examples from overseas. Besides, Alaska is a pretty cool place and 'idea' so why not brand it.
Delta Air Lines is named after the Mississippi Delta region, where its predecessor company, Huff Daland Dusters (a crop-dusting firm), began operations in 1928; the name was suggested by trusted associate Catherine FitzGerald, honoring the rich agricultural area before the company transitioned to passenger flights, and it also influenced the airline's iconic triangular logo.
Ross, that's a really cool backstory! Interesting how Delta claims 2025 as its 100 year anniversary... (but the Delta name didn't start until 2028.... *cough*)
Will this work for AS, if it didn't work for AA? Counting on connecting traffic in Seattle?
Will the code-share with BA for connections out of LHR?
Virgin Atlantic has reduced its service to 4 times per week, BA have deployed the 787-10 as well as the 777 do as you say it’s a competitive route.
No that's a seasonal reduction. It goes back up to daily in the summer.
The DL/VS JV has always scaled back to 10ish per week in the winter, as has BA.
They had better swap out the 787 on the route then before returning to capacity for S26.
This was announced months ago. All that's new is the final schedule and flight #s. Nothing really new here.
Was hoping AS would load a few saver award seats for this flight when it opened. That’s disappointing.
Alaska is well positioned for this flight. I personally prefer Virgin, though if I had no choice would definitely fly Alaska, it’s a solid operation and product.
Seattle is a good geography for connection to Europe.
The difficulty Alaska may have is where to fly these planes in the winter. Will they point them to Hawaii?
Additionally, flights still are quiet a try to Europe from the west coast. From any city...
Alaska is well positioned for this flight. I personally prefer Virgin, though if I had no choice would definitely fly Alaska, it’s a solid operation and product.
Seattle is a good geography for connection to Europe.
The difficulty Alaska may have is where to fly these planes in the winter. Will they point them to Hawaii?
Additionally, flights still are quiet a try to Europe from the west coast. From any city in the Northeast with direct flights, your flight takes 7-8 hrs. From the west coast this is at least 10-11 hrs, it’s a totally different story. It’s a whole day of travel
It says this is a daily year round flight. Looks like you didnt read the article.
What do you mean by 'the difficulty alaska may have is where to fly these planes in the winter'. The answer is here. Daily year round means both summer and winter. So these planes will go to London.
Looks like you didn't read other articles that reported the Heathrow slots are leased from AA only through October 24.
Touche, but yes I did read those articles. Alaska has the flight on sale past October 24, 2026. Says to me that they have confidence they'll get a slot in the slower winter season.
Lucky -
34 business class seats and 266 economy class seats.
That is premium stingy. I get that these are ex-Hawaiian equipment which had configurations designed for leisure markets, but does Alaska have any plan to make their fleet reflect the airline starting to skew much more premium market?