Alaska Airlines continues to expand its long-haul route network with the addition of two exciting new routes to Europe: Starting next spring, Alaska will fly from its Seattle (SEA) hub to both Athens (ATH) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
Thursday's additions mean Alaska will fly five different nonstop flights to Europe in 2027, complementing existing routes to London-Heathrow (LHR), Reykjavik (KEF), and Rome (FCO). Alaska also flies two routes to Asia from its home airport: to Seoul (ICN) and Tokyo-Narita (NRT).
Flights to Athens begin on May 12, 2027, operating three times a week. Meanwhile, the Paris route kicks off a couple of weeks later on May 25, with five flights weekly. Both are seasonal routes, expected to run through next October.
Alaska will fly the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners it acquired through its merger with Hawaiian Airlines on both these new nonstop routes. These aircraft are a real treat for travelers, with a well-rounded economy class experience and swanky lie-flat seats in business class.
Both flights are already on sale with a special introductory price of $999 roundtrip (available through Aug. 26). That's not awful for roundtrip fares from the West Coast to Europe … but don't be surprised to see a similar price in the future, so don't feel like you need to rush to book now just to get a good deal.
Meanwhile, if you've got a stash of Atmos Rewards points, you can book these flights from 30,000 points each way in economy. Business class pricing is pretty offensive right now, with fares landing at 175,000 points each way on the low end.
While Alaska's additions are exciting, all eyes are now on Delta.
The Atlanta-based carrier has been ruthless in going tit-for-tat with Alaska in Seattle, trying to remain the carrier of choice for long-haul flying, despite Alaska's dominance with domestic travelers. Almost every time Alaska has announced a new international route out of Seattle, Delta has responded in kind with a new route of its own – most recently with the addition of flights to Tokyo-Narita (NRT), despite already flying nonstop from Seattle to Tokyo-Haneda (HND).
Delta already flies nonstop to Paris from Seattle, as does SkyTeam partner Air France. But it wouldn't be surprising to see Delta quickly match with a nonstop to Athens or throw a different dart over to Europe to keep Alaska in check.
That competition should be a boon for both cheap fares and even better deals redeeming points and miles on either carrier.
Bottom Line
Alaska Airlines is adding new nonstop flights from Seattle to Athens and Paris next spring. Both seasonal on 787-9s, bringing its Seattle-Europe network to five routes.
Don't be shocked if Delta fires back with a matching Paris route of its own, especially given its SkyTeam ties to Air France.
