Alaska Airlines has unveiled a new Boeing 787 livery and confirmed two new transatlantic routes to London and Reykjavik. This marks a major step in its efforts to establish Seattle as a global gateway.
The airline plans to launch the new international routes in May 2026, coinciding with the debut of its updated livery for the Boeing 787-9 fleet. Alaska Airlines, now operating under a common parent company with Hawaiian Airlines, will maintain its distinct brand identity.
All Dreamliners will fly under the Alaska name, while Hawaiian will continue operating its Airbus A330s.
“Our new 787 exterior embodies Alaska’s transition to a global airline with beauty, grace, and a nod to our heritage. As we significantly expand to new destinations around the globe, we’re eager for more and more travelers to recognize our new livery,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines Chief Commercial Officer.
The new livery reportedly draws visual inspiration from the Northern Lights. The design features deep midnight blues, emerald greens, and flowing aura lines that aim to capture motion and light. A horizontal stripe along the fuselage references the airline’s 1970s and ’80s branding.
According to the airline, the new look will roll out starting in January 2026, with the entire Dreamliner fleet expected to be in the new livery by spring. The airline currently has up to 17 Boeing 787-9s on order to support its long-haul ambitions.
Alaska Airlines to Launch London Flights
Alaska Airlines will begin daily nonstop flights between Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and London Heathrow (LHR) in May 2026. This daily flight will be operated by the Boeing 787-9 and will mark Alaska’s first long-haul transatlantic route.
The Boeing 787-9 will be configured with 34 lie-flat Business Class seats and 266 economy class seats. However, Alaska has yet to confirm the exact launch date or schedule details for the new service, and tickets are expected to go on sale later in fall 2025.
Moreover, this route is Alaska’s entry into a highly competitive corridor currently served by British Airways, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic. The airline is banking on its codeshare partnership with British Airways, part of the oneworld alliance, to help drive connecting traffic beyond Heathrow.
According to the airline, roughly 400 passengers fly between Seattle and London daily, making it one of the busiest intercontinental city pairs from the Pacific Northwest. Alaska sees its entry as an opportunity to expand seat capacity and premium options, particularly for travelers originating in Washington state, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Flights to Reykjavik, Iceland
Also launching in May 2026 is a seasonal summer route between Seattle and Keflavik International Airport (KEF), serving the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik. The daily flight will be operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, featuring 159 seats – 12 in domestic first class and 147 in economy.
This new Reykjavik service will run during Iceland’s peak tourism season, when the country’s long daylight hours attract large numbers of leisure travelers. The 737 MAX’s range makes it well-suited for mid-length transatlantic routes like this one.
Alaska will face direct competition on the route from its own codeshare partner Icelandair, which currently flies up to three daily flights between Seattle and Keflavik. Despite the capacity overlap, Alaska views the route as strategic, not just for tourism demand to Iceland but for onward one-stop connections to mainland Europe.
However, the airline has not yet confirmed whether its first class seats on the 737 MAX 8 will be marketed as business class, premium economy, or under another designation for this route.
While still limited in scope, this summer route adds a second European destination to Alaska’s growing intercontinental network and offers a direct entry point into the Nordic region.
Additionally, these two route will support Alaska’s loyalty program customers, who will be able to earn and redeem miles on the new flight, adding further integration with oneworld alliance benefits.
Featured Image via Alaska Airlines