Alaska Airlines is advancing plans to extend a long-haul flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and has ordered five more Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Seattle-based Oneworld Alliance Carrier exercised the right to buy in an additional 787-9 person order by Hawaiian Airlines, chair of the Hawaiian Airlines Senior Executive Committee, Larry Payne, on Wednesday in the Alaska Pilot Podcast. This brings Alaska’s full commitment to long-distance jets to 13 aircraft, as well as the last fleet plan at the end of March, plus the ones that already have four.
Payne said, in addition, Alaska plans to open a Hawaiian 787 pilot base in Seattle in March 2026 and has made a choice for another 12 Boeing 737 Max 10s.
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“I think overall, this is the first phase of our merger and implementing its growth commitment.” Will McQuillen, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Alpa Alaska Airlines Headquarters, and Payne Podcast.
An Alaska spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
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Order confirmation Since the airline closed its merger with the Hawaiian in September 2024, Alaska management’s instructions: The Hawaiian fleet of 787 will eventually connect Seattle to the world. The airline conducted its first long-haul flight from Seattle in Hawaiians – Alaska cannot operate aircraft on Hawaiians until the airline consolidates the operation of a single certificate – to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) in May with the Airbus A330.
Flights from Seattle to Haner Incheon International Airport (ICN) start on September 12 and arrive at Rome Fimicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) in May 2026 – the first European destination for Alaska and Hawaiians.
Executives say Alaska plans at least 12 remote intercontinental routes by the end of the decade.
Alaska’s biggest rival in Seattle, Delta, is not idle. Shortly after Alaska announced its plans for Italy, Skyteam Alliance Carrier announced its own nonstop from Emerald City to Rome starting on May 6, 2026, and later this month to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-el Prat Airport (BCN).
Delta’s interests come from its existing large long-distance base in Seattle, which flies to Asia and Europe, while Alaska is a beloved home brand in the Puget Sound region, with a larger overall overall overall.
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