Europe debut: Alaska Airlines to launch inaugural Seattle-Rome service in 2026

Alaska Airlines has unveiled plans to launch a new direct service from Seattle to Rome, Italy, in May 2026, marking the carrier’s entry into the European travel market. 

This is the first time in history that Seattle will be connected to Italy via a nonstop flight, the airline said in a statement on June 3, 2025. The new service will connect Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport (FCO). 

“As an Italian American whose parents emigrated from Italy, this is a particularly meaningful addition to our network,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “Rome has been at the top of the list ever since we announced our new global gateway out of Seattle. Our guests have been asking for an easy way to get to Italy for years, and we’re thrilled to provide it to people in the Northwest and beyond.” 

According to the airline, the new service is anticipated to receive a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the fall of 2025 and begin operational flights in May 2026. The new route will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which is part of the airline’s fleet since it merged with Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024.

Flights from Seattle to Rome will run four times a week, but the airline noted that the schedule “is subject to change”. There will be one nonstop flight departing from Seattle on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with direct flights from Rome on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  

“For the first time in history, Italy will be directly connected to Seattle, further strengthening ties with the US West Coast and the broader Pacific region,” added Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma. 

Rome will become the third international widebody route from Alaska’s global gateway in Seattle, following the launch of Tokyo Narita route on May 12, 2025, and the upcoming service to Seoul Incheon starting on September 12, 2025.  

According to the airline, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is currently the biggest airline hub on the West Coast, offering 104 nonstop destinations throughout North America, including one of the most direct routes to the Hawaiian Islands. 

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