Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines announced that it would begin flying from Seattle, Washington, United States, to Rome, Italy. In its announcement, the carrier stated that service would start in May 2026. Ishrion Aviation reported that the inaugural flight is now scheduled for April 2026, slightly earlier than previously planned.
As previously announced, bookings for this route opened in autumn 2025. The carrier’s official website indicates that service is scheduled to start on April 28, 2026. However, the corridor is still awaiting government approval. Once approved, this will mark the first direct flight between 
Launching Flights In April 2026
On June 3, 
The new route will operate one daily flight instead of the previously planned four weekly operations, according to Ishrion Aviation. Flight AS 180 from SEA to FCO will depart at 5:30 AM local Seattle time and arrive at 1:15 PM local Italian time. The return flight, AS 181, will depart FCO at 3:25 PM and arrive at SEA at 5:45 PM. The flight duration is approximately 10 hours and 45 minutes, while the flight distance is 4,943 nautical miles (9,154 km). Ben Minicucci, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alaska Airlines, said that serving the route is a dream come true, as Minicucci is an Italian American with parents who immigrated to the US from Italy, making it a personally meaningful addition to its network.
“Our guests have been asking for an easy way to get to Italy for years, and we’re thrilled to provide it to people in the Northwest and beyond. Andiamo – let’s go!”
Responding To Passenger Demand
In addition to being the first direct flight between Seattle and Italy, Alaska Airlines said that Rome is the most popular European city not served by non-stop flights from Seattle, stating that it was “consistently among the most-requested destinations for Mileage Plan members.” The connection will also provide convenient one-stop flights from/to the West Coast and Hawaii from/to Rome, the airline noted.
As a result, the flights will be operated by Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which will feature “a new global experience.” When Alaska Airlines presented its ‘Alaska Accelerate’ plan in December 2024, its presentation – displayed above – outlined that Seattle is closer to 90% of the world’s population than other major West Coast hubs, namely Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with Seattle having a 10% distance advantage when flying to Rome compared to Los Angeles and/or San Francisco.
Until now, one of the most convenient ways to travel from Seattle to Rome has been with a stopover at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), where passengers can connect to American Airlines’ nonstop flights to Rome Fiumicino. Both Alaska Airlines and 
Other Alaska Airlines’ Long-Haul Flights
Rome will become Alaska Airlines’ third long-haul destination from Seattle, the company has announced following its merger with Hawaiian Airlines. On May 12, Hawaiian Airlines aircraft began flying to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT), while on September 12, the airline started its new flights to Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN).
The carrier plans to expand its European network by adding London Heathrow (LHR) and Reykjavík (KEF) to its route map. For now, the airline has not disclosed the exact start dates for these flights, but they are expected to begin in spring 2026.
Additionally, these will be the fourth and fifth of at least 12 intercontinental destinations the airline plans to serve from its hometown airport in Seattle by 2030.