Alaska Turns Seattle Into Global Hub: 12 Long Haul Routes By 2030

Alaska Airlines recently acquired Hawaiian Airlines, fueling speculation as to whether the combined carrier might launch long haul flights from Seattle. Well, Alaska Air Group is wasting absolutely no time, and has today announced plans to turn Seattle into a global gateway, with transpacific flights launching in a matter of months.

Before we even talk about this, I just have to mention how impressed I am by how quickly Alaska is moving. I also still can’t believe that Alaska Air Group is finally adding long haul flights, after all of these years.

More from OMAAT COOL: Alaska Adds Anchorage To Tokyo Narita Flights, With Boeing 737 MAX! Read more

Alaska Air Group has huge plans for Seattle

Alaska Air Group will turn Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) into a global hub, with the goal of operating at least 12 nonstop long haul routes from the airport by 2030. Alaska is so committed to long haul flying out of Seattle that the airline plans to introduce a new flagship international lounge at the airport by 2027.

Alaska points out how its Seattle hub is the largest on the West Coast of any carrier, serving 104 nonstop destinations across North America, and that allows for convenient travel options and connections. The carrier has already revealed the first two long haul routes it plans to launch from the Pacific Northwest:

• As of May 12, 2025, Alaska will launch daily nonstop flights to Tokyo Narita (NRT); tickets are going on sale as of today
• As of October 2025, Alaska will launch daily nonstop flights to Seoul Incheon (ICN); tickets are going on sale as of early 2025

The new routes will initially be operated by Hawaiian Airbus A330-200s. Keep in mind that Alaska Air Group is maintaining two distinct brands, and since the two carriers are still on separate operating certificates, these will truly by Hawaiian flights. I do find it interesting that these routes are starting with A330s, given that they have a pretty lackluster business class product, rather than Hawaiian’s brand new Boeing 787-9s.

What long haul destinations could be added next? Alaska Air Group’s Investor Day presentation at least hints at the next long haul destinations the company may be considering, based on geographic advantages.

In addition to Tokyo and Seoul, it sounds like Bangkok, Delhi, Ho Chi Minh City, London, Manila, Paris, and Rome, might also be in the cards. Of course that could change, but it seems that’s the company’s thinking as of now.

Here’s how Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci describes this new Seattle strategy:

“We believe our guests will be as excited as we are about these new nonstop flights to Tokyo and Seoul – two of the world’s most dynamic cities. From our global gateway in Seattle, we can conveniently connect travelers from across our network as they head to Asia and beyond. Hawaiian’s spacious widebody aircraft, along with its excellent onboard service and amenities, will make for a terrific trip from one side of the Pacific Rim to the other.”

Alaska & Hawaiian evolve network with updated routes

In addition to the above, Alaska Air Group is also making strategic changes to which aircraft operate in which markets, with the goal being to improve performance, expand growth opportunities, and offer increased choice, network connectivity, and convenience. These adjustments are all being made between late March and late June of 2025.

Most of the initial changes involve updates to service between the mainland and Hawaii:

• Alaska Air Group will offer 20% more seats between Seattle and Honolulu, with three of six daily flights being operated by Hawaiian wide body aircraft
• In Portland, there will be three daily nonstop flights to Honolulu, with staggered departure times, and a 25% increase in available seats
• Alaska Air Group will offer two daily flights between San Diego and Maui, rather than just one
• Alaska Air Group will add new routes from San Francisco to Kona and Lihue, meaning the airline group will offer four daily nonstop flights to the four main airports in Hawaii
• Alaska Air Group wants to improve connectivity for East Coast and Midwest itineraries to Hawaii, by adding three redeye flights from Hawaii to the West Coast, including from Maui to San Diego, Maui to Portland, and Honolulu to San Francisco
• Alaska Air Group will fly an A330 once daily between Honolulu and Sacramento

Here’s another fun change — next summer, Alaska Air Group will fly a Hawaiian Airbus A330 between Seattle and Anchorage, to take advantage of the plane’s higher seating and cargo capacity. My gosh, a Hawaiian A330 flying between Seattle and Anchorage? What a time to be alive!

Alaska Air Group is also planning on improving aircraft utilization for Hawaiian’s Airbus A321neos and Boeing 787-9s. The A321neos will fly 25% more than before, and this strategy will mitigate the impact of delayed Boeing 737 deliveries.

My take on Alaska Air Group’s fascinating pivot

There’s so much to digest here. I’m not surprised to see Alaska Air Group launching long haul flights from Seattle, and if anything, I’m just surprised (or impressed) by how quickly it’s happening. A dozen long haul routes by 2030 represents a huge expansion.

The first thing that’s a bit surprising to me is that this growth will happen with A330s. While these planes have a perfectly nice premium product for flights to and from Hawaii, they’re hardly competitive globally, given the 2-2-2 configuration. Alaska Air Group notes there “plans to expand premium cabins on the wide body fleet are being developed,” and I have to imagine that also includes introducing a new product.

The second thing that comes to mind is that this is bad news for Delta. Delta has invested a lot in Seattle over the years, and has tried to turn it into a long haul hub. Alaska is a much bigger airline in Seattle than Delta is, and serves a lot more destinations. With plans to operate a dozen wide body routes, the airline also has much bigger growth plans in Seattle than Delta does.

As much as people nationally do like Delta as a brand, the Seattle community is still much more into Alaska, and I have to imagine many people will go out of their way to fly with the airline, especially given how compelling Mileage Plan is.

I’m very curious to see how this plays out — will Delta try to expand long haul service from Seattle preemptively, will Delta retreat, or will the status quo be maintained?

Bottom line

Alaska Air Group has announced what’s probably its most transformational network strategy shift ever, as the airline will start operating long haul flights out of Seattle with Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330s. The first two destinations will be Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon, and the expectation is that we’ll see a dozen long haul routes by 2030.

I’m so excited to see how this all works out, as this has to be one of the most interesting airline mergers we’ve ever seen, with two brands so deeply connected to their home markets.

What do you make of Alaska Air Group’s global expansion?