Tourexpi
Alaska Airlines is adding Athens and Paris to its
growing long-haul network from Seattle in summer 2027. Seasonal flights to the
Greek capital will begin on 12 May, followed by Paris on 25 May, with both
routes operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
The Athens service will be the first-ever nonstop
connection between Seattle and the Greek capital and, according to the airline,
the only nonstop link between Athens and the US West Coast. Paris will become
another major European destination in Alaska’s network as the carrier works
towards operating more than 12 international long-haul routes from Seattle in
the coming years.
Athens becomes Alaska’s longest route
Seattle-Athens will operate three times a week from 12
May through October 2027. The route will become the longest in Alaska Airlines’
network.
“We fly where our guests aspire to go, and Athens and
Paris have been high on that list for years,” says Alaska Airlines CEO Ben
Minicucci. “As we build to more than 12 international long-haul routes from
Seattle in the coming years, we’re giving travelers more ways to connect to the
world and more opportunities to use Atmos Rewards.”
Athens International Airport also expects the route to
strengthen tourism and business links between Greece and the western United
States.
“This brand-new destination in our network, the
first-ever nonstop service to Athens from the Pacific Northwest, will further
strengthen Athens’ dynamically growing connectivity with the United States,”
says George Kallimasias, Managing Director and CEO of Athens International
Airport.
Paris to receive five weekly flights
Flights between Seattle and Paris Charles de Gaulle
will begin on 25 May and operate five times per week through October. Paris is
already among the most-searched destinations on Alaska Airlines’ website.
The expanded network will also allow same-day
connections between Honolulu and Paris via Seattle, strengthening links between
Alaska’s two largest hubs and Europe.
Athens and Paris join an expanding intercontinental
network from Seattle that includes Iceland, London, Rome, Seoul and Tokyo.
Alaska plans to add at least five more intercontinental destinations by 2030.
Dreamliners support long-haul expansion
Both new European routes will be operated with Boeing
787-9 aircraft. International Business Class features lie-flat suites and
multi-course meals, while the airline is introducing products from West Coast
brands across its cabins.
Alaska is also rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi across the
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines fleets through 2027. Atmos Rewards
members will receive complimentary access.
The airline is preparing further investments in its
Seattle hub, including a new international lounge and changes to its long-haul
onboard service.
Seattle grows as Alaska’s global gateway
Alaska Airlines currently operates more than 360
departures on peak days and serves 110 nonstop destinations from the Seattle
area. Its membership in the oneworld alliance and additional airline
partnerships provide onward connections across Europe, the Middle East and
Asia.
Tickets for Athens and Paris are already on sale.
Alaska has introduced round-trip Main Cabin fares from $999 for bookings made
in the United States through 26 August 2026.
Image Credit: © AI generated illustration
The most interesting news
Read the News

Lufthansa Group expands Japan network to 50 weekly flights
Lufthansa will return to Nagoya and add daily Frankfurt–Tokyo Narita services as the group significantly increases Japan capacity for Summer 2027
Read the News

Silversea adds 103 voyages for 2028-2029 season
The new collection spans 56 countries and introduces culinary sailings, 29 new ports and a 75-night circumnavigation of South America
Read the News

Global cruise market forecast to nearly double by 2034
Passenger growth, fleet expansion and rising demand for premium and experiential travel are expected to drive the market to $38.5 billion
Read the News

Hotel Indigo reaches 200 hotels as global expansion accelerates
IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle brand has doubled its footprint since 2019 and has another 134 properties in the development pipeline
Read the News

Holland America Line to add Arcadia as 12th ship in 2029
The Vista Class vessel will transfer from P&O Cruises, adding capacity for more than 2,000 guests and supporting Holland America’s fleet modernization program
Read the News

Emirates launches first daily Dubai-Helsinki service
The new year-round route gives Finland its only direct connection to the UAE and opens new one-stop links to Asia, Africa, the Indian Ocean and Australasia
Read the News

WTTC and ICC join forces to strengthen tourism SMEs worldwide
New partnership targets regulatory, financial, digital and mobility barriers affecting small and medium-sized businesses across global Travel & Tourism
Read the News

Costa Rica launches interactive map of natural and cultural heritage
Free bilingual platform combines tourism, biodiversity, marine science, history and geography in a digital exploration tool
Read the News

European travel and tourism growth to reach 3.1% in 2026
WTTC forecasts stronger growth than the wider economy as more than 1,000 industry leaders gather in Malta for the organisation’s Global Summit
Read the News

SpongeBob musical to debut at sea on Royal Caribbean’s Hero
Broadway-inspired production will headline the entertainment programme when the new Icon Class ship begins Caribbean cruises from Miami in August 2027
Read the News

Lufthansa named Best European Airline at Asian travel awards
Travel industry professionals across Asia recognise Lufthansa as the airline prepares to introduce its new Allegris cabins on flights to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur
Read the News

Atlas Ocean Voyages expands Antarctica programme for 2028/29
The cruise line introduces 25 polar expeditions, more fly-and-sail departures and extended itineraries reaching South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Circle
Read the News

Phuket Vegetarian Festival brings Hokkien traditions to the streets
The nine-day celebration from 10 to 18 October combines shrine ceremonies, processions and centuries-old rituals across Phuket City
Read the News

RIU repositions Riu Touareg as family resort after major renovation
The 1,181-room resort on Boa Vista has reopened with redesigned accommodation, expanded dining and a new focus on families
Read the News

Thailand plans tourism experiences for transit passengers
New partnership between tourism and aviation organisations aims to turn longer flight connections into short visits to local attractions, restaurants and communities
Read the News

Spain welcomes 12.3 million international tourists in August
International visitor spending exceeded €17.8 billion during the month, while arrivals rose 9.2% and destinations outside Spain’s main tourism regions recorded particularly strong expenditure growth
Read the News

Tempo by Hilton to make German debut at Munich Airport Arena
The 199-room lifestyle hotel is scheduled to open in 2029 as part of the new MUNICH ARENA entertainment campus near Munich Airport
Read the News

Southeast Asian travellers look beyond China’s traditional gateways
Traveloka data shows bookings to China’s emerging city destinations growing more than twice as fast as demand for Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen
Read the News

Hyatt Centric Sapporo opens as new base for exploring Hokkaido
The 216-room property is the Hyatt Centric brand’s first hotel in Hokkaido, combining a central Sapporo location with a strong focus on regional design and cuisine
Read the News

Oktoberfest draws growing interest from Asian travellers
Agoda data shows strong search growth from China, India and Japan, while visitors increasingly combine Munich with other German destinations
Read the News

TransNusa increases Jakarta–Singapore flights to four daily
Indonesian carrier expands capacity on the busy regional route, offering additional evening connections for business and leisure travellers