Alaska Airlines has announced plans to launch direct transatlantic service between Seattle and London Heathrow, with flights scheduled to begin in spring 2026.

The move is great news for British holidaymakers as it marks the carrier’s first entry into the European market.

The new daily service will operate year-round using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. These wide-body jets will feature 34 business-class suites with fully lie-flat seats, aimed at attracting both corporate and premium leisure travellers.

For UK passengers, the new route will offer a direct link to Seattle, which is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, and a growing hub for technology, business, and tourism.

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It will also provide better access to destinations across the western United States and Hawaii through Alaska Airlines’ extensive regional network.

The addition of this route is expected to benefit British travellers by offering a new departure option to a key US destination. More than 400 passengers travel between London and Seattle daily, underscoring the strong demand for nonstop service.

Through existing partnerships with British Airways and American Airlines, Alaska Airlines will be able to offer passengers from the UK seamless onward connections and reciprocal loyalty benefits, including mileage accrual and redemptions on the new transatlantic flights.

CEO of Alaska Airlines, Ben Minicucci, stated: “With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world. The airline has confirmed that bookings for the new London service will open in autumn 2025."

This development is part of a broader international expansion strategy by Alaska Airlines, which includes a target of serving at least 12 long-haul destinations from Seattle by 2030.

The London Heathrow route, along with a newly announced service to Reykjavik, Iceland, will become the fourth and fifth intercontinental destinations in the carrier’s portfolio.

The Dreamliner aircraft will debut a new livery and upgraded onboard experience as part of the airline’s push to compete in the international market.

Better amenities are expected across both the Alaska-branded 787-9 fleet and Hawaiian Airlines' Airbus A330 aircraft, which the company is integrating following a recent merger agreement.

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The launch of nonstop service from Seattle to London is expected to enhance transatlantic travel options for British tourists and business travellers, offering a new point of entry into the United States with convenient onward connectivity and premium travel features.

This comes as Ryanair announced more flights will go to a winter destination that is like "waking up in a dream".

The budget carrier announced it will begin operating flights to Finnish Lapland during the upcoming winter season. The airline will commence services to Rovaniemi from three English cities in late 2025.