Sea-Tac expands global reach with nonstop flight to Rome
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Alaska Airlines and other carriers are adding nonstop international destinations out of SEA. Photo: Courtesy of the Port of Seattle
A slew of new nonstop routes around the world, including one to Rome, is turning SEA into a true global gateway.
Why it matters: Seattle is quickly shedding its status as a secondary international hub with the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport positioning itself as a serious player in the global aviation network.
- Plus: Seattleites love to travel!
Driving the news: Alaska Airlines announced plans this week to launch nonstop service from Seattle to Rome — the first direct flight between the Emerald City and the Eternal City and the airline's first transatlantic route.
- The route will begin in May 2026 and operate four times a week aboard Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
- Rome is among the most-requested European destinations by Alaska Mileage Plan members, according to the Seattle-based carrier. It is also the largest in Europe without nonstop service from Seattle.
- Also, Edelweiss Air began nonstop service to Zurich on Monday, and SAS started nonstop service to Copenhagen last month.
Zoom in: Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci, the son of Italian immigrants, called the Rome route "a dream come true."
- "Our guests have been asking for an easy way to get to Italy for years," he said in a written statement.
The big picture: Sea-Tac has added new international service over the past two years, including flights to Taipei, Beijing and Chongqing, Munich, Manila, Liberia, Costa Rica, Toronto, and Tokyo, per the airport.
By the numbers: As of this month, Sea-Tac is offering nonstop flights to 36 international destinations, according to spokesperson Perry Cooper of the Port of Seattle.
- That's up from 26 destinations in 2019.
Between the lines: The Rome announcement marks the third new intercontinental destination unveiled by Alaska in the last year.
- The move is part of a broader expansion strategy following the Seattle-based carrier's acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines' wide-body aircraft, per Alaska.
- Other European destinations being considered by Alaska include London, Paris, and Berlin.
What they're saying: "SEA non-stop to Rome is going to save so much time not having to fly through London, Paris etc," wrote one Seattle Times commenter on a story about the new route.
- "Fantastico!" wrote another.