Alaska Airlines has announced their first European route between Seattle and Rome. This flight will be operated by Alaska Airlines branded Boeing 787s.
We reported a few weeks ago that Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci revealed in an interview that by 2026, the airline planned to expand to Europe.
The initial reaction from our Facebook followers was mixed. Comments included urging Alaska to “slow down” to saying they should “focus on getting Pacific international services down before heading to Europe.”
But it looks like Alaska Airlines has no plans to slow down.
The airline officially announced its first European route this week. Launching in May 2026, Alaska will begin nonstop service from Seattle to Rome.
One Detail Not Getting the Spotlight
While this is big news for Alaska and Seattle-area travelers eager for nostop flights to Europe, one important detail flew a bit under the radar.
Alaska confirmed the route will be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner branded in Alaska Airlines livery.
That’s a significant shift, because:
This move helps clarify the post-merger roles of both airlines. It appears Hawaiian will focus primarily on Pacific and Hawaii-based routes. Makes sense given their history. While Alaska steps into the long-haul international space from its Seattle hub.
That’s particularly interesting considering Hawaiian Airlines was in the middle of integrating the 787 into its own fleet before the merger. Clearly, that plan is now shifting.
What Does This Mean for Hawaiian Airlines’ Dreamliners?
So far, Hawaiian has taken delivery of just three 787s from its original order with Boeing. Right after the merger, some new routes from Seattle to Asia were announced under Hawaiian’s branding, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity for those Dreamliners.
But those routes are being flown with Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s. Not the 787.
So even before the Dreamliner got fully off the ground in Hawaiian’s fleet, it’s looking more and more like it’ll get reassigned. Now, it appears those jets will eventually end up in Alaska’s mainline fleet.
From a business standpoint, this pivot makes sense:
There’s a lot to be excited about here: a new aircraft, a new continent, and a bold new chapter for Alaska Airlines. But this Rome announcement is more than just a route. It signals Alaska officially stepping into the big leagues of international travel.
The Hawaiian merger wasn’t just about expanding domestic coverage. It gave Alaska access to a long-haul fleet and they’re not wasting any time putting it to use.
As the launch date nears, we’ll get a clearer picture of how Alaska plans to deploy its Dreamliners. But one thing’s for sure: this is a major move worth watching.
