Alaska Sets April 28 Launch For Seattle-Rome
Alaska Airlines will inaugurate the first-ever nonstop between Seattle–Tacoma (SEA) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) on April 28, 2026, moving the start up from May to April. The service is daily (up from the originally signaled 4x weekly) and remains subject to final government approval.
Schedule & Flight Details
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AS180: SEA → FCO — dep 05:30 (Seattle) → arr 13:15 (Rome)
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AS181: FCO → SEA — dep 15:25 (Rome) → arr 17:45 (Seattle)
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Block time: ~10h45m eastbound
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Great-circle distance: ~4,943 nm (9,154 km)
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Equipment: Boeing 787-9 (introduced via the 2024 Hawaiian Airlines merger)
Aircraft & Onboard Experience
Alaska will deploy its Boeing 787-9 widebody, positioned as the carrier’s “new global experience.” Expect a true long-haul cabin with lie-flat business class, enhanced IFE, and long-haul amenities designed for transatlantic missions. Finalized seat maps and service specifics for the SEA–FCO rotation will publish closer to launch.
Why Rome, Why Now
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Unserved demand: Rome has been one of SEA’s most-requested European cities without a nonstop.
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Network logic: SEA is Alaska’s largest hub, enabling one-stop connectivity from the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii into Italy.
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Competitive positioning: This becomes the only nonstop SEA–Italy option, complementing partner flows via oneworld while removing a domestic connection many travelers previously needed.
Booking & Approvals
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Sales: Opened in autumn 2025 on Alaska’s channels.
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Regulatory: Operation is pending final approvals; schedule is filed for April 28, 2026 start.
Context In Alaska’s Long-Haul Build
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Current intercontinental from SEA: Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Seoul Incheon (ICN) using widebodies inherited in the Hawaiian merger.
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On the horizon: London Heathrow (LHR) and Reykjavík (KEF) are planned adds (timelines TBA), as Alaska targets 12+ intercontinental destinations from SEA by 2030.
Airport & Code Quick Facts
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SEA — Seattle–Tacoma International, primary Alaska hub
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FCO — Rome Fiumicino “Leonardo da Vinci,” Italy’s busiest airport
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AS180/AS181 — published flight numbers for the Rome service
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787-9 — Alaska’s new long-haul widebody type
Bottom Line
Alaska will beat summer by a month, launching daily SEA–FCO on April 28, 2026 with the 787-9. It’s a smart, high-demand add that finally gives the Pacific Northwest a nonstop to Rome, strengthens Alaska’s post-merger long-haul footing, and sets up broader transatlantic ambitions from SEA—pending final approvals.
