Starting next May, travelers on the West Coast will have a new option for getting to one of the most popular destinations in Europe.
Alaska Airlines just announced it will launch a new nonstop route between Seattle and Rome, debuting in 2026. The service to the Eternal City is a major milestone for the carrier, as it will be Alaska’s first-ever flight to Europe.
The launch is also momentous for the region, as it will be the first-ever nonstop flight between Rome and Seattle. The Italian capital is currently the most popular destination in Europe that doesn’t have a direct flight from Seattle.
Alaska will use a Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 to operate the new route, which will be outfitted with a “new global experience.” The Rome-bound flights will operate four times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, departing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) at 6 p.m. and arriving at Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) at 1:45 p.m. the following day.
On the return leg, flights will operate four times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing Rome at 3:45 p.m. and arriving in Seattle at 6 p.m. The new service still needs final regulatory approval from the government, but Alaska says it expects to receive the necessary single operating certificate from the FAA. Fares will go on sale in fall 2025.
Rome has consistently been among the most requested destinations by members of Alaska Airlines’ MileagePlus loyalty program, according to the carrier. “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,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci.
The new route to Rome is part of Alaska Airlines’ larger initiative to add long-haul international service out of its hub in Seattle. "Serving Rome nonstop from Seattle is a dream come true," Minicucci said. "As an Italian American whose parents emigrated from Italy, this is a particularly meaningful addition to our network. Rome has been at the top of the list ever since we announced our new global gateway out of Seattle.”
Earlier in 2025, the airline launched new nonstop service from Seattle to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT), which was Alaska’s first long-haul international route. The carrier plans to launch at least 12 long-haul international destinations from Seattle operated by widebody planes by 2030.
The airline is also launching a route from Seattle to Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) on September 12.
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