Alaska Airlines begins selling tickets to London Heathrow
Alaska Airlines warned that year-round services are still subject to government approval.
Alaska Airlines has begun selling tickets on its non-stop and year-round service from Seattle, the United States, to London, the United Kingdom, confirming that from May 21, 2026, it will begin the daily flights with a Boeing 787-9.
On December 9, 2025, Alaska Airlines said that beginning today, its customers are now able to book tickets from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), which will be operated with a 787-9, including a “new onboard global experience, including lie-flat seats, enclosed suites and multi-course dining in Business Class.”
The airline scheduled the flights to depart SEA at 21:40 local time (UTC -7) and arrive at LHR at 15:05 local time (UTC +1) the next day. The return itinerary is scheduled to depart the British capital at 17:00 and land at SEA at 18:50. Flights will be operated from LHR’s Terminal 3.
British Airways, which is based at LHR, has flights out of Terminal 3 and Terminal 5, depending on the destination, according to the airport’s website. American Airlines, another oneworld partner, flies from/to Terminal 3.
“Flight times for our Seattle-London route will allow guests to spend a whole day in either city before boarding their flights – a potential benefit for business travelers,” Alaska Airlines said, adding that the destination is “the largest corporate market from Seattle.”
“Alaska’s expansion into the London market presents significant opportunities. Facilitated by American Airlines and British Airways and based on an anticipated deepening of their alliance with Alaska, this expansion will offer even greater value and connectivity to consumers.”
Crucially, Alaska Airlines warned that the year-round service is still subject to government approval. While the carrier eventually secured slots at one of the most congested airports in the world by leasing them from American Airlines, these were leased until only October 24, 2026.
Thus, Alaska Airlines will have to either acquire slots via the normal allocation process, monitored by Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), or lease them from American Airlines, British Airways, or any other airline.
Rytis Beresnevicius
The carrier highlighted that the 787-9 operating flights to LHR will have 34 business class seats with fully lie-flat beds, Premium Class (premium economy) seating with extra legroom, and chef-inspired meals in Premium Class and Main Cabin.
In addition to LHR, as part of its international expansion following the merger with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines launched flights from SEA to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) and Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN).
It will also begin flights to two more European destinations, Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport (KEF), with first flights being scheduled to depart on April 28, 2026, and May 28, 2026, respectively.
“By 2030, we plan to serve at least 12 intercontinental destinations from Seattle, with additional routes to be announced in the years to come. We currently have four Boeing 787-9s in our fleet, with a fifth aircraft recently delivered.”
That fifth 787-9, registered as N784HA, was ferried from Charleston International Airport (CHS) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on December 6, according to Flightradar24 records. It has stayed at the airport since the delivery.
Rytis Beresnevicius
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