The Alaska Airlines Group has announced new international routes as part of its expansion strategy. The carrier will begin flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Tokyo Narita in Japan and Seoul Incheon in South Korea using A330 aircraft acquired through a merger with Hawaiian Airlines.
Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group, expressed enthusiasm for the new connections, stating: "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." He added that the spacious widebody aircraft and onboard service would enhance travel across the Pacific Rim.
The introduction of these routes marks Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's debut as a global gateway for transpacific flights. The new service to Tokyo is set to commence on May 12th, 2025, while flights to Seoul are expected to start in October 2025. These additions aim to optimize capacity between Hawaii and Japan, especially following decreased leisure travel demand post-pandemic.