Alaska Airlines Launches First Seattle–Tokyo Narita Flight

Alaska Airlines has taken its first step toward transforming Seattle-Tacoma International Airport into a major international hub with the launch of daily service to Tokyo Narita on May 12. Operated under the Hawaiian Airlines brand using an Airbus A330-200 repositioned from Honolulu, the new nonstop route marks Alaska’s entry into long-haul flying from its SEA base following its acquisition of Hawaiian in September 2024. Flight time is approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes, and the service operates with 278-seat A330s configured with 18 business class cabins.

This summer, Alaska and Hawaiian will add a second transpacific route from Seattle to Seoul Incheon, launching September 12 with five weekly A330-200 flights. Together, these routes kick off Alaska’s plan to offer at least 12 long-haul international destinations from SEA by 2030. While Narita flights initially carry Hawaiian’s onboard service, Alaska plans to introduce its own premium global experience in the coming years, investing in refreshed seating, upgraded cabin interiors and enhanced amenities for its widebody fleet.

Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci highlighted the strategic value of Boeing 787-9 aircraft, three of which Hawaiian already operates in addition to nine on order. “The 787 is our flagship long-haul aircraft that unleashes a world of possibilities from Seattle,” Minicucci said, indicating that future routes to Europe—such as London, the top intercontinental market from SEA—will be flown by 787s. He added that Alaska aims to leverage its strong brand presence in the Pacific Northwest to offer expanded service on both sides of the Pacific.

The Narita launch follows extensive network growth across Alaska’s domestic and near-international markets, which had previously lacked widebody access. By integrating Hawaiian’s A330s, Alaska can immediately offer residents better connections to Asia. “Onboard service will initially mirror the Hawaiian hospitality that Hawaiian Airlines passengers know and love, while Alaska develops a comprehensive, long-haul experience that will be deployed from Seattle in the future,” the carrier said in a statement.

Seattle’s geographic advantage further strengthens Alaska’s international ambitions. Flights to Tokyo from SEA are seven percent shorter than from San Francisco International Airport and 13 percent shorter than from Los Angeles International Airport, translating into reduced fuel burn and operating costs. Alaska noted that its 104 North American nonstop destinations feed into SEA, creating seamless one-stop itineraries to Narita. Early sales indicate strong demand beyond the local market, with half of tickets sold originating from more than 80 U.S. cities outside the Seattle area.

Ryan Calkins, commissioner of the Port of Seattle, hailed the milestone as “monumental” for the hometown carrier. Alaska will compete directly with Japan Airlines on SEA–Narita, while All Nippon Airways and Delta Air Lines serve Seattle–Haneda. To accommodate the Narita route, Hawaiian has ceased its Honolulu–Narita service but will continue flying to Tokyo Haneda from Honolulu.

Tokyo ranks as the second-largest intercontinental market from Seattle, with roughly 400 daily passengers traveling between SEA and the Japanese capital in each direction in 2024, excluding connecting traffic. With the introduction of nonstop service, Alaska aims to capture both business and leisure travelers seeking efficient transpacific connections from the Pacific Northwest.

As Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines maintain separate brands while operating under a single parent company, the two carriers are poised to expand SEA’s international footprint rapidly. The addition of Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon routes this year sets the stage for further announcements later in 2025, as Alaska charts its course to become a major West Coast gateway for long-haul air travel.

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