Next Stop: London, Reykjavik
Alaska Airlines expands international routes with two new nonstop flights from Seattle
By Sarah Stackhouse August 7, 2025
Seattleites looking to travel abroad will soon have more direct options.
Alaska Airlines just announced it’s adding nonstop flights from Sea-Tac International Airport to London and Reykjavik in spring of 2026, building on its plans to become a global player in international travel. The England and Iceland routes follow a major reveal earlier this summer: the launch of Alaska’s first-ever direct flight to Rome, also set to begin in May.
Rome has been the most requested international destination not already served nonstop from Seattle, according to the airline. With that new route, Seattle travelers will be able to reach the Eternal City without a layover. Flights will operate four times per week, with fares going on sale this fall.
London service will run daily and year-round — a big move, considering it’s the largest intercontinental market from Seattle. More than 400 passengers travel between the two cities each day. The flight to London clocks in around 9.5 hours.
The Reykjavik route will operate daily during the summer season. Alaska Airlines plans to use its 737-8 MAX aircraft for the Iceland route, which is built for long-range flights. It’s a relatively quick one though — just over 7 hours from Sea-Tac.
This move is part of Alaska’s broader international strategy, first announced last year. The airline currently offers service to Tokyo (launched in May) and Seoul (beginning in September), and says it plans to add a dozen direct international routes by 2030.
The new flights also come with a refreshed global travel experience, including upgraded onboard service, new meal offerings, and updated entertainment options.
“With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world,” says Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up.”
No official launch dates for the London and Reykjavik flights have been announced yet, but both destinations are part of a major shift for the once West Coast–focused airline.
As a longtime Alaska Airlines credit cardholder, I’m thinking it’d be pretty cool to use my annual companion fare on one of these new international flights. A spring trip to Rome doesn’t sound so bad — maybe it’s time to rethink the fine print.
Follow Us
82 Million Tons of E-Waste by 2030. Now What?
Smart ways to handle old electronics after a holiday upgrade.
Every holiday season, our houses fill with upgraded gadgets and the promise that we’ll deal with the old stuff later. Meanwhile, the drawer of mystery cords multiplies, and some items just get tossed out. Most of us mean well, but those castoff electronics often end up somewhere they really shouldn’t. And with about 59% of…
Going to the Mountains This Winter? Read This.
A new online tool breaks down avalanche basics for anyone planning snowy fun off the beaten path.
I’m a rule follower when it comes to the outdoors. This summer, my family did some backcountry hiking in Whistler and made sure to do everything by the book—texting friends our plan and location, and wearing a bear bell even though it felt a little dorky. It’s reassuring to know you’ve covered the basics before…
Historic Flooding Prompts WA Governor to Declare Emergency
Rivers are surging around the state amid days of heavy rainfall.
As floodwaters swelled around Washington, threatening low-lying communities along rivers, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a statewide emergency declaration on Wednesday. Ferguson says he’ll also seek an expedited emergency declaration from the federal government in response to the flooding, which is the result of an atmospheric river that has dumped multiple inches of rain in parts…
Barnes & Noble Is Coming Back to Downtown Seattle
The bookseller will open a new flagship at 520 Pike, marking the largest retail lease in downtown Seattle since 2020.
Barnes & Noble is returning to downtown Seattle for the first time since early 2020. The national bookseller has signed a 10-year lease for a new flagship at 520 Pike Street, a 29-story tower, taking over 17,538 square feet on the corner of Pike and 6th Avenue. The store is expected to open in the…