Ciao Italia! Alaska Airlines announces new nonstop service between Seattle and Rome

Rhea-AI Summary

Alaska Airlines (ALK) announced its first-ever nonstop service between Seattle and Rome, starting May 2026. The service will operate four times weekly using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, marking the first direct connection between the Emerald City and the Eternal City. Flights will be available for purchase in fall 2025. Rome becomes Alaska's third widebody international route from Seattle after Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon, advancing the airline's 'Alaska Accelerate' strategic plan to generate $1 billion in incremental profit following its combination with Hawaiian Airlines. The new route will serve Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport (FCO), a SkyTrax 5-Star hub airport undergoing a €9 billion expansion, offering connections to over 230 destinations across 80 countries.

Positive

• First-ever nonstop service between Seattle and Rome, addressing high customer demand
• Expansion of international presence with third widebody route from Seattle global gateway
• Strategic alignment with $1 billion incremental profit plan following Hawaiian Airlines merger
• Connection to FCO airport offering access to 230+ destinations across 80 countries
• Enhanced connectivity for West Coast and Hawaiian travelers to Europe

Negative

• Service won't begin until May 2026, requiring a long wait for implementation
• Limited frequency with only 4 flights per week
• Route launch dependent on FAA single operating certificate approval

Insights

Airline Industry Strategist

Alaska Airlines' new Seattle-Rome route advances its $1B profit strategy, strengthening its global gateway initiative post-Hawaiian Airlines merger.

Alaska Airlines' announcement of nonstop service between Seattle and Rome represents a significant strategic expansion in the carrier's international footprint. This route is the third widebody international service from Seattle following Tokyo and Seoul, directly supporting the company's "Alaska Accelerate" plan aimed at delivering $1 billion in incremental profit following the Hawaiian Airlines combination.

The Seattle-Rome route addresses a critical gap in Alaska's network - Rome has been the largest European destination not currently served nonstop from Seattle and consistently ranks among the most-requested destinations by Mileage Plan members. This strategic addition leverages customer demand while building Seattle as the West Coast's premier global gateway.

This expansion follows a clear pattern of Alaska Airlines methodically transforming its primarily domestic operation into an international carrier with global ambitions. The timing aligns perfectly with the expected FAA single operating certificate this fall, allowing Alaska to operate Hawaiian's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on these new long-haul routes - maximizing fleet utilization from the acquisition.

From a competitive standpoint, this creates a valuable one-stop connectivity option for passengers along the West Coast and Hawaii to reach Europe, potentially capturing market share from carriers that require connections through other hubs. The four-times-weekly service strikes a balance between meeting demand while managing capacity introduction on a new long-haul route.

This development should be viewed as concrete evidence that Alaska is executing on its post-merger integration strategy with Hawaiian, utilizing acquired widebody capabilities to drive network growth that would have been impossible as a standalone carrier.

• Rome remains one of the most-requested destinations for Mileage Plan members and it's the largest European destination not currently served nonstop from Seattle
• Flights will begin in May 2026 and can be purchased at alaskaair.com starting in fall 2025

SEATTLE, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines is continuing the celebration of our new global gateway in Seattle by adding Rome, Italy, to our international destination lineup. This is the first time in history that the "Emerald City" will be connected to the "Eternal City" via a nonstop flight. Flights to Rome will be available at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com when fares go on sale this fall, so start planning your Italian vacation now.

"Serving Rome nonstop from Seattle is a dream come true," said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. "As an Italian American whose parents emigrated from Italy, this is a particularly meaningful addition to our network. Rome has been at the top of the list ever since we announced our new global gateway out of Seattle. Our guests have been asking for an easy way to get to Italy for years, and we're thrilled to provide it to people in the Northwest and beyond. Andiamo – let's go!"

City Pair	Departure	Arrival	Frequency	Aircraft
Seattle – Rome	6 p.m.	1:45 p.m. +1	M, W, F, Su	787-9
Rome – Seattle	3:45 p.m.	6 p.m.	M, T, Th, Sa	787-9

All times are local, schedule subject to change.

Rome is the most popular European destination not currently served nonstop from Seattle. It is consistently among the most-requested destinations for Mileage Plan members. This new nonstop option for Seattle guests will also provide improved one-stop connectivity for guests all along the West Coast and Hawaiʻi.

With the expected single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this fall, the new route will be served on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operated by Alaska Airlines, featuring a new global experience.

Guests interested in the new route can join an early-access list to be notified when flights can be purchased this fall. Register your amore at alaskaair.com/rome to be the first to know more.

As we advance "Alaska Accelerate," our three-year strategic plan to deliver $1 billion in incremental profit following the combination with Hawaiian Airlines, we're transforming Seattle into the West Coast's new premier global gateway. Rome will become the third widebody, international route served out of Alaska's global gateway in Seattle after Tokyo Narita, which launched on May 12, and Seoul Incheon, which begins service on Sept. 12. Our hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is already the largest airline hub on the West Coast, serving 104 nonstop destinations across North America, and now the world.

Exploring the 'Eternal City' and beyond

Centrally located in Italy, Rome is positioned as a leading gateway for Central and Southern Europe, as well as the entire Mediterranean region. Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) offers convenient accessibility to the main Italian cities such as Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples, Catania, Palermo and more. Rome Civitavecchia is also the second-largest cruise port in Europe – offering a gateway to the Mediterranean. FCO also provides more than 230 nonstop destinations across 80 countries.

If you want to stay local, the "Eternal City" has millennia of history to immerse yourself in. From the Colosseum to St. Peter's Square and every trattoria serving carbonara in between, there is something for every traveler. Rome has recently completed a citywide renovation in anticipation of 2025's Jubilee Year – a holy year in the Catholic Church. Many tourist attractions and historical sites have been refreshed and are ready to welcome visitors. Jubilee pilgrims will have good company among the millions of visitors expected to visit Rome this year.

A premium airport experience

Many of those millions of tourists will transit through FCO, which offers a premium experience that stands out from other major airports in Europe. The airport is undergoing a significant expansion and modernization effort, fueled by an investment of 9 billion euros. As one of only a dozen SkyTrax 5-Star hub airports worldwide, FCO keeps investing and innovating to ensure a continuous improvement of the services offered to its customers. The airport's industry-leading guest experience begins as you arrive: upon landing in Rome, U.S. and Canadian nationals are eligible for electronic passport controls through the e-gates, allowing an expedited arrival process – putting that Aperol spritz or scoop of gelato in your hand that much sooner.

"We are immensely proud that Alaska Airlines has chosen Rome as its first destination in Europe," said Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma. "This decision confirms the strategic relevance of our airport as a global hub for air connectivity. For the first time in history, Italy will be directly connected to Seattle, further strengthening ties with the U.S. West Coast and the broader Pacific region. Today, Fiumicino ranks among the leading European airports in terms of direct flights to North America, consolidating its key role in intercontinental traffic flows."

For guests traveling from Italy, Alaska Air Group's Seattle hub will serve as a powerful and convenient connection point to 104 nonstop destinations across North America – including one of the most direct routes to the Hawaiian Islands.

About Alaska Air Group
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, with McGee Air Services a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. With hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, we deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Alaska is a member of the oneworld Alliance with Hawaiian scheduled to join in 2026. With oneworld and our additional global partners, guests can earn and redeem miles for travel to over 1,000 worldwide destinations. Guests can book travel at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about what's happening at Alaska and Hawaiian. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as "ALK."

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SOURCE Alaska Airlines

FAQ

When will Alaska Airlines (ALK) begin its Seattle to Rome flights?

Alaska Airlines will begin its nonstop service between Seattle and Rome in May 2026.

How many times per week will Alaska Airlines fly from Seattle to Rome?

The service will operate four times weekly, with Seattle-Rome flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and Rome-Seattle flights on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

What type of aircraft will Alaska Airlines use for the Seattle-Rome route?

Alaska Airlines will operate the route using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

When can customers book Alaska Airlines' new Seattle to Rome flights?

Flights will be available for purchase in fall 2025 through alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com.

How does the Rome route fit into Alaska Airlines' strategic plan?

The Rome route is part of Alaska's 'Alaska Accelerate' plan to deliver $1 billion in incremental profit following the Hawaiian Airlines combination and transform Seattle into the West Coast's premier global gateway.