NEW YORK- Alaska Airlines (AS) plans to launch its first European flights in 2026, marking a significant step in its international expansion strategy following the Hawaiian Airlines (HA) merger.
CEO Ben Minicucci confirmed the European ambitions during a Wings Club event in New York on Thursday, stating: “Europe is definitely on the radar for 2026.”
Alaska Airlines European Routes
The carrier will begin its international operations later this year with two new routes: Seattle to Tokyo in May and Seattle to Seoul in September. According to Minicucci, both routes have already generated strong interest from travelers, flagged Skift.
“The community couldn’t be more excited to start using their miles, and even the business community is excited about some of the places that we’re going to go,” Minicucci said.
Alaska’s expansion became possible after receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation for its Hawaiian Airlines merger. The acquisition provided Alaska with Hawaiian’s widebody fleet, including Boeing 787s and Airbus A330s, which are essential for long-haul international flights.
While Minicucci didn’t specify which European destinations would launch first, company presentations from December’s investor day revealed London, Paris, and Rome as potential targets.
The airline faces substantial competition in this expansion effort. Delta Air Lines (DL), Alaska’s primary competitor at Seattle Tacoma International Airport, already operates several routes to similar Asian and European destinations.
When questioned about competing with Delta, which uses Seattle as one of its West Coast hubs, Minicucci expressed confidence: “Our company can go toe-to-toe with anyone.”
Partnership with JetBlue
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci deflected questions about potential partnership talks with JetBlue (B6), emphasizing his company’s focus on integrating Hawaiian Airlines into its operations.
“We have all this work… driving $500 million in synergies, $500 million in revenue initiatives, that is for three years, going to keep us totally focused,” Minicucci stated.
JetBlue continues seeking new alliance opportunities following the dissolution of its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines, which a federal judge struck down as anti-competitive. JetBlue president Marty St. George confirmed in February that the carrier remains engaged in discussions with “multiple airlines” regarding potential partnerships.
United Airlines publicly denied merger speculation in January through a securities filing, stating it was not in talks with any airlines regarding a merger. This addressed rumors suggesting United might pursue a merger with JetBlue or acquire some of JetBlue’s assets.
United CEO Scott Kirby addressed the JetBlue speculation directly during the JPMorgan industrials conference in March, describing such a partnership as having “a lot of challenges.”
“At United, when the business plan is working, the hurdle to go do a deal gets a whole lot higher,” Kirby explained. “That said, at least at United, I would like to have a bigger presence on the other side of the river at JFK. But man, all the headache, all the brain damage of buying a whole airline to get there. That’s a lot to do.”
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