GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Alaska Air Group announces new global gateway in Seattle with nonstop Asia routes

Airports

Marilyn Romano Regional Vice President | Alaska Airlines

By Sky Industry News

Dec 10, 2024

Alaska Air Group has announced the launch of Seattle as a new global gateway, marking a significant step in its partnership with Hawaiian Airlines. This development includes the introduction of nonstop flights from Seattle to Tokyo Narita, Japan, and Seoul Incheon, South Korea, set to begin in 2025. The airlines also plan to enhance their domestic network this spring.

The daily nonstop flights between Seattle and Tokyo Narita will commence on May 12, 2025. These flights will utilize Hawaiian's Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Service between Seattle and Seoul Incheon is expected to start in October 2025.

Ben Minicucci, Chief Executive Officer at Alaska Air Group, expressed enthusiasm about the new routes: “We believe our guests will be as excited as we are about these new nonstop flights to Tokyo and Seoul – two of the world’s most dynamic cities.”

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The expanded schedule aims to provide more options for travelers between the West Coast and Hawaiʻi. Adjustments include increased seat availability on certain routes and improved connectivity for East Coast and Midwest flights heading to Hawai‘i.

Additionally, Alaska Air Group plans to maximize widebody flying by deploying larger aircraft like Hawaiian’s A330 on select routes during peak seasons. New nonstops are also being introduced between San Francisco and various destinations in Hawai‘i.

Alaska Air Group is working towards obtaining a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by October 2025. Until then, both airlines will continue operating separately but under one combined brand identity.