Alaska Airlines has announced new seasonal nonstop services from Seattle to Athens, Greece, and Paris, France, expanding its growing international network and giving travelers across the U.S. West Coast more direct access to two of Europe’s most prominent tourism and cultural destinations. The airline will launch its first nonstop seasonal service between Seattle Tacoma International Airport and Athens International Airport on May 12, 2027, with flights operating three times a week through October 2027. Service between Seattle and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will follow on May 25, 2027, with five weekly flights scheduled through October. Tickets for both routes are now available through Alaska Airlines’ official booking channels.
Athens to become Alaska Airlines’ longest route
The new Seattle-Athens service will mark a significant expansion of Alaska Airlines’ international operations. Once launched, the route will become the longest flight Alaska Airlines has ever operated, while also becoming the only nonstop Athens service from the U.S. West Coast, according to the airline. The new connection is expected to make travel to Greece considerably more convenient for passengers across the West Coast by eliminating the need for a connecting flight to Athens. Beyond Greece itself, the route also provides access to the country’s islands and other Mediterranean destinations, potentially strengthening leisure and tourism travel between the West Coast and southeastern Europe.
Alaska Airlines will operate the Athens service as flight AS196, a number selected as a reference to Greece’s capital and its connection with the modern Olympic Games, which began in Athens in 1896. The route is therefore being introduced not only as a new international connection but also as part of the airline’s effort to build distinctive connections between its destinations and their cultural significance.
New nonstop connection to Paris
The airline’s second new European route will connect Seattle directly with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, beginning May 25, 2027. Operating five times weekly through October, the service will provide travelers with another direct connection between the Pacific Northwest and one of Europe’s most visited cultural and tourism destinations. The Paris route will operate as flight AS136, with the flight number referencing the city’s renowned cultural landscape and its 136 museums. Paris remains a major destination for international leisure travel, attracting visitors for its art, architecture, cuisine, history and cultural institutions, while also serving as an important gateway for onward travel across Europe.
Together, the Athens and Paris services will strengthen Seattle’s role as a departure point for transatlantic travel. The additional capacity is particularly significant for travelers who prefer nonstop connections and for visitors traveling between Europe and the Pacific Northwest during the busy summer tourism season.
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to operate both routes
Both new services will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, bringing Alaska Airlines’ long-haul international product to the new European routes. The aircraft will offer passengers a range of onboard services designed for longer international journeys.
Passengers traveling in international Business Class lie-flat Suites will have access to multi-course dining developed by Alaska Airlines’ food and beverage team, providing a more premium experience on the long-haul flights. The airline is also offering travel amenities across its cabins from West Coast-based brands Filson and Salt & Stone.
Connectivity will be another feature of the international service. Atmos Rewards members will have access to complimentary ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi, provided through T-Mobile, as the technology continues to be installed across the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines fleets through 2027.
Seattle’s intercontinental network continues to grow
The Athens and Paris announcements form part of Alaska Airlines’ broader effort to expand its intercontinental network from Seattle. The airline’s current nonstop international destinations from the city include Iceland, London, Rome, Seoul and Tokyo, giving Seattle an increasingly important role in Alaska’s long-haul strategy.
The airline has also announced plans to add at least five more intercontinental destinations by 2030, alongside additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to support the expansion. The strategy represents a significant shift in Alaska Airlines’ international presence, increasing the number of long-haul destinations available directly from its Pacific Northwest hub.
For travelers, the expansion means greater choice in reaching major destinations across Europe and Asia without connecting through another U.S. or international airport. For Seattle, meanwhile, the additional routes reinforce the city’s position as an important gateway between North America and international tourism markets.
The new Athens and Paris services are scheduled to operate seasonally through October 2027, giving travelers additional nonstop options during the peak European travel period. With Athens becoming Alaska Airlines’ longest route and Paris adding another major European connection, the expansion marks an important step in the airline’s continuing effort to build its international network from Seattle.
