Alaska Airlines will introduce a new nonstop service between Seattle and London Heathrow starting in spring 2026, marking the airline’s first route to the UK.
The daily year-round service will be operated using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, configured with fully lie-flat business class suites. The London route is part of Alaska’s growing international expansion from its hub in Seattle, where it also plans to begin flights to Reykjavik, Iceland, next summer.
London is currently the largest intercontinental market from Seattle, with more than 400 passengers traveling daily between the two cities. The new route is expected to appeal to both business and leisure travelers, with connections available across the West Coast and beyond through Alaska’s network and partnerships with British Airways and American Airlines.
The Heathrow service adds to a growing list of international destinations Alaska aims to reach from Seattle by 2030, including upcoming routes to Seoul, Tokyo, and Rome.
The airline is also rolling out a refreshed exterior design for its widebody 787 aircraft. The new livery, inspired by the Northern Lights, features deep blues and greens, along with elements referencing Alaska’s branding from previous decades. The updated look will debut in January 2026, with all Dreamliners featuring the new design by the spring.
Alaska currently operates four Dreamliners and plans to grow the fleet to 17 aircraft. A new pilot base for the 787 fleet will open in Seattle in line with the airline’s long-haul expansion plans.
In addition to the new transatlantic routes, Alaska will maintain its Airbus A330 fleet, operated by Hawaiian Airlines, for long-haul service between the U.S. mainland and Hawai’i. These aircraft will be upgraded over the coming years with updated lie-flat seating, a new premium economy cabin, and refreshed interiors.
More details, including schedules and ticket availability for the London and Reykjavik routes, are expected later this autumn.
