Alaska Airlines expands long-haul routes after Hawaiian merger

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Alaska Airlines expands long-haul routes after Hawaiian merger

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Alaska Airlines | Wikipedia

By Sky Industry News

Jun 19, 2025

Alaska Airlines has been expanding its long-haul routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, following its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines' parent company, Hawaiian Holdings. The $1.9 billion transaction, finalized in September 2024, included $900 million of debt and positioned Alaska Airlines as the fourth-largest domestic carrier in the United States.

Ben Minicucci, President and CEO of Alaska Airlines, stated that the acquisition allowed the airline to accelerate its strategic plan through the 'Alaska Accelerate' initiative. This plan focuses on growth opportunities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, leveraging a fleet and order book of widebody aircraft for international operations.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Commercial Officer of Alaska Airlines, highlighted the increased connectivity and revenue potential due to the merger. He noted that Seattle is now central to their network with plans to increase domestic widebody departures from once daily to six times daily.

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The airline's loyalty program members have shown significant interest in international travel. Brett Catlin, Vice President of Loyalty, Alliances, and Sales at Alaska Airlines, mentioned that many Mileage Plan members are eager for global travel on Alaska flights.

Alaska Airlines announced new long-haul destinations from Seattle-Tacoma: Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) and Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN). Flights to Tokyo began on May 12, while services to Seoul will start on September 12 using Hawaiian Airlines’ 787-9 aircraft.

In addition to passenger services, Jason Berry, Executive Vice President of Cargo at Alaska Airlines and President of Horizon Air, emphasized the importance of cargo demand. Tokyo and Seoul rank as major cargo export markets in Asia.

On June 3, Alaska Airlines revealed plans for a new route from Seattle-Tacoma to Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO), set to commence in May 2026 with ticket sales starting in fall 2025. Minicucci expressed personal significance about this addition due to his Italian-American heritage.

The airline aims to expand its international destinations list from Seattle-Tacoma to at least 12 by 2030. Harrison pointed out that Seattle is closer than Los Angeles or San Francisco when flying from Tokyo or Seoul and serves as a key market for local demand in Asia and Europe.

Data indicates high demand for flights between Seattle-Tacoma and popular destinations like London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Tokyo-Haneda, Seoul-Incheon, and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).