SEATTLE — West Coast flyers yearning for easier hops across the Atlantic will soon have two new nonstop options from their own backyard. Alaska Airlines has revealed plans to inaugurate daily Seattle-Tacoma International Airport service to both London Heathrow and Reykjavik Keflavik, beginning in spring 2026, along with a sweeping aircraft makeover that replaces its long-familiar tail logo.
Alaska Airlines maps a larger global footprint from Seattle
For years Alaska Airlines concentrated on domestic and short-haul international routes across North America, a network that deepened after purchasing Virgin America in 2016 and, more recently, Hawaiian Airlines in 2024. The new long-haul pair represents the carrier’s most ambitious intercontinental push to date. According to the airline, each route will operate year-round, and the London flight is slated for daily frequency. Reykjavik schedules have not been detailed, but the company notes that those flights will also operate in the spring launch window. In a prepared statement, the carrier said tickets for both destinations “will be available for booking later this year.”
Why London and Reykjavik?
London Heathrow remains one of the world’s busiest international gateways and a major hub for Oneworld alliance partners, particularly helpful for Mileage Plan members looking to connect deeper into Europe, Africa, or the Middle East on a single itinerary. Reykjavik, meanwhile, has grown into a niche favorite for adventure-minded travelers chasing geothermal pools, glacier treks, and aurora borealis excursions. By linking Seattle to Keflavik, Alaska Airlines taps into a high-demand leisure corridor while offering one-stop connections to mainland Europe on Icelandic carriers.
Meet the Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Alaska’s first twin-aisle aircraft
To make the transatlantic leap, the airline is introducing Boeing 787 Dreamliners—its maiden venture into twin-aisle equipment. Alaska has not yet disclosed cabin configurations, but the wide-body platform typically enables lie-flat premium-class seats, multiple economy sections and expanded cargo capacity for long-haul flights. The Dreamliner’s composite fuselage, lower cabin altitude and quieter ride should appeal to travelers eyeing restorative rest on overnight journeys to London or Iceland.
Farewell to the iconic Inuit tail; hello, aurora inspiration
Perhaps the most visible change is what Alaska’s Dreamliners will look like. The airline is retiring the smiling Inuit face that has graced its tailfins for decades. In its place: sweeping blue-and-green ribbons intended to evoke the aurora borealis. Executives describe the motif as a nod to the natural splendor of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest while symbolizing connectivity to the broader world. The “Alaska” wordmark remains in navy blue near the nose of the aircraft for brand continuity.
What the new routes mean for travelers
- Simpler West Coast access to Heathrow. Travelers originating in Seattle—and, via connections, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and beyond—will no longer need to change airlines in another U.S. hub.
- Seamless alliance links. Oneworld membership allows Mileage Plan elites to enjoy reciprocal lounge access and priority services at Heathrow.
- More Mileage Plan earning and redemption choices. Both new routes provide additional opportunities to spend or bank miles without backtracking through larger East Coast gateways.
- Gateway to Icelandic adventures. The Reykjavik flight lands at Keflavik, roughly 31 miles from the capital city and within easy reach of the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, and Northern Lights tours.
Tips for Travelers
- Plan ahead for spring 2026. While ticket sales open later this year, award space on inaugural flights often disappears quickly—set fare alerts or use Alaska’s booking calendar to pounce the moment seats drop.
- Watch for Dreamliner cabin details. Alaska has hinted at an elevated premium product but has not yet released seat counts or amenities. If lie-flat seats are introduced, business-class bargains could surface during the first months of operation.
- Consider an Iceland stopover. If Alaska allows free or low-cost stopovers on Reykjavik itineraries, travelers bound for Europe can break the journey for a few days of glacier hiking before continuing east.
- Leverage Oneworld status perks. Elite flyers connecting onward from Heathrow can access partner lounges operated by British Airways, Iberia and others—check specific lounge rules tied to departure terminal and class of service.
- Pack for the elements. London’s spring weather swings from brisk to balmy, while Iceland’s early-season temperatures hover near freezing and can change hourly. Layer accordingly.
Inside Alaska’s broader post-merger strategy
Industry analysts have long debated how Alaska Airlines would scale its West Coast strength into robust global relevance. The 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines extends reach across the Pacific, while Virgin America’s 2016 integration added depth in California. The 2026 transatlantic push completes a three-ocean vision: North Pacific to Hawaii and Asia, South Pacific to Oceania via Hawaiian routes, and now the North Atlantic to Europe.
Potential ripple effects
- Competitive fares. With one more carrier on the Seattle-London corridor, price competition could intensify, particularly against British Airways, Delta, and American Airlines.
- Increased tourism in Iceland. Direct Seattle service may entice Pacific Northwest adventurers who previously balked at multi-stop itineraries.
- Enhanced cargo capacity. Dreamliners will boost freight space for seafood, tech products, and e-commerce shipments between Washington state and Europe.
Alaska Airlines’ twin debut—the Dreamliner itself and the overseas destinations it enables—signals a more pronounced global posture for a carrier once seen as a regional specialist. From Seattle, London, and Reykjavik become book-end gateways to two distinct European experiences: the kaleidoscopic sprawl of Britain’s capital and the raw, outdoor theater of Iceland. For travelers, the development translates into fresh routing choices, expanded loyalty reward,s and, perhaps, a chance to chase the real aurora after admiring its painted version on Alaska’s new tail. — as the airline said in its prepared statement.
