Alaska Airlines to launch nonstop Seattle flights to Athens and Paris in 2027

Alaska Airlines is set to inaugurate nonstop flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Athens International Airport (ATH) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) starting in May 2027. These services mark new milestones as Alaska becomes the first airline to connect Seattle directly with Athens and the first oneworld carrier to launch nonstop West Coast service to Paris. The strategic expansion underscores Alaska’s ambition to become the West Coast’s premier global gateway for international travel.

The Athens route, designated flight AS196, launches May 12, 2027, operating three times weekly through October, with westbound returns starting May 13, 2027. Notably, this will be Alaska’s longest flown route. The Paris service, flight AS136, commences May 25, 2027, offering five weekly frequencies also through the fall and returning May 26, 2027. Alaska has chosen flight numbers with local cultural significance; AS136 honors Paris’ 136 museums, while AS196 commemorates Athens as the birthplace of the 1896 modern Olympic Games.

Both routes will be serviced by Alaska’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft outfitted with the carrier’s international business class featuring lie-flat suites, multi-course dining, and amenities sourced from West Coast brands Filson and Salt & Stone. Passengers enrolled in Alaska’s Atmos Rewards can enjoy complementary Starlink Wi-Fi, facilitated by T-Mobile, as tech installations progress across Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ fleets through 2027.

The addition of Athens and Paris joins Alaska’s existing intercontinental lineup from Seattle, which includes nonstop flights to destinations such as Iceland, London, Rome, Seoul, and Tokyo. Alaska’s CEO Ben Minicucci indicated plans to expand to over 12 long-haul international routes operating from Seattle by 2030, enhancing global connectivity and loyalty program value.

Athens International Airport’s Managing Director George Kallimasias praised Alaska’s route to Athens as a vital bridge linking Greece to the U.S. West Coast, boosting tourism, business ventures, and trade ties. The new service represents the first nonstop connection between the Pacific Northwest and the Greek capital, further integrating Athens into transatlantic travel flows.

Seattle serves as Alaska Airlines’ primary hub with over 360 peak daily departures to 110 nonstop destinations. Leveraging its membership in the oneworld alliance and partner airlines, Alaska offers onward connections across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond, creating a robust network for international passengers.

The expansion also enhances Alaska’s unique offering of same-day connecting itineraries between Honolulu and Paris via Seattle, effectively broadening travelers’ options through its second-largest hub in Hawaii. These nonstop flights serve both leisure and business travelers seeking direct transatlantic routes from the West Coast.

Additionally, Alaska Airlines has launched a multi-season marketing campaign featuring Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold to highlight its global route growth and hometown pride. Darnold expressed enthusiasm about promoting Seattle’s emergence as an international gateway signaled by these new Athens and Paris services.