Athens Flights Begin May 12
Alaska Airlines has announced an expansion of its international network from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Nonstop flights to Athens will begin on May 12, 2027, and operate through October.
The airline will serve the route three times per week, with return flights from the Greek capital beginning May 13. It will be the first nonstop connection between Seattle and Athens and the only direct service to the Greek capital from the U.S. West Coast.
According to the official Alaska Airlines announcement, the Athens route will become the longest flight the carrier has ever operated.
“We fly where our guests aspire to go, and Athens and Paris have been high on that list for years,” Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said.
Paris Will Receive Five Weekly Flights
Nonstop service between Seattle and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will begin on May 25, 2027. Flights will operate five times per week through October, with return service from Paris launching May 26.
Alaska Airlines says Paris is among the most frequently searched destinations on its website. Once the route begins, the carrier will become the first oneworld airline to operate nonstop service between the U.S. West Coast and the French capital.
Both routes will use Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners featuring lie-flat international business-class suites. The airline is also continuing the installation of Starlink satellite internet across its long-haul fleet.
Seattle Expands as an International Hub
With Athens and Paris added, Alaska Airlines’ long-haul network from Seattle will cover seven destinations: Athens, Paris, Reykjavik, London, Rome, Seoul and Tokyo-Narita. The carrier plans to introduce at least five additional intercontinental routes by 2030.
Alaska describes itself as Seattle’s largest international airline based on the number of nonstop international destinations served. It operates more than 360 peak-day departures to 110 nonstop destinations from the Seattle area.
The Port of Seattle reports that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport currently offers 63 nonstop international services to 37 destinations operated by 29 airlines. Airport officials identified Athens as one of the region’s largest previously unserved European markets.
The two new routes will improve passenger connectivity between the U.S. West Coast and Europe. Boeing 787-9 aircraft also provide lower-deck capacity for commercial cargo, although Alaska Airlines has not disclosed planned freight capacity or cargo booking arrangements for the Athens and Paris services.
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