Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines team up to launch nonstop flights between Seattle and Tokyo Narita, marking the start of daily nonstops between the two dynamic cities and the beginning of a new era of widebody international flying for Alaska. With the combination of Alaska and Hawaiian, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is set to become the West Coast’s premier global gateway.

“Our growing fleet of widebody aircraft, including the flagship 787 Dreamliner, opens up a world of possibilities for new international routes from Seattle,” said Ben Minicucci, CEO at Alaska Airlines. “In the coming years, we plan to launch at least 12 international destinations with long-haul aircraft from Seattle by 2030, including Europe.”

The first two long-haul flights from Seattle will be to Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon, with service to Seoul beginning on September 12. These routes were strategically chosen as Tokyo is the second-largest intercontinental market from Seattle for both business and leisure, and Seoul is third. Additionally, Seattle is the closest connection point between the continental U.S. and Tokyo, making it a popular route for travelers from over 80 cities outside of Seattle.

“Our partnership with Hawaiian Airlines allows us to provide top-notch service and hospitality to our guests on these long-haul flights,” said Joe Sprague, CEO at Hawaiian Airlines. “We are excited to offer more travelers the opportunity to experience the award-winning Hawaiian hospitality.”

The future of international service from Seattle will see the