SEATTLE- Alaska Airlines (AS) has released its first-ever onboard safety video after 94 years of operations. The video will play exclusively on seatback screens aboard the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, which now connects Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to long-haul international destinations.
The safety video arrives just ahead of Alaska Airlines’ historic first transatlantic flight from Seattle (SEA) to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), set to launch on April 29, 2026. More than 100 Alaska Airlines employees feature in the six-minute video, which doubles as a destination showcase for the carrier’s growing global network.
Why Alaska Airlines Never Had a Safety Video Before
Alaska Airlines operated exclusively with Boeing 737 narrowbody aircraft for decades. None of these planes featured seatback entertainment screens, so manual safety demonstrations performed by flight attendants were the standard on every flight.
That changed when Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines and formed the Alaska Airlines Group.
Through the merger, Alaska took over Hawaiian’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, which comes equipped with seatback in-flight entertainment systems. This acquisition gave Alaska the hardware it needed to play a pre-recorded safety video for the first time in its history.
The timing aligns with a major shift in the airline’s strategy. Alaska Airlines is transforming its hub at Seattle (SEA) into a global gateway, with plans to serve up to 12 long-haul destinations by 2030.
Inside the Safety Video Production
Alaska Airlines opened a casting call to its workforce, and over 1,200 employees applied for a chance to appear in the video. The production team selected 100 employees to feature in the final cut, with flight attendants leading clear demonstrations of key safety procedures.
According to PYOK, the video runs just over six minutes and serves as both a safety briefing and a destination highlight reel. It showcases notable Seattle landmarks, including Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Seattle Public Library, and the Kraken Practice Rink.
International destinations such as Tokyo, Seoul, Rome, and London also feature prominently. The video even includes footage of Sydney, Australia, hinting at a potential future route for the airline.
Alaska Airlines partnered closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during production to ensure full regulatory compliance. The FAA mandates a safety presentation before departure on all U.S. airline flights.
Where the Safety Video Will Play
The safety video will be shown on all Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flights departing from Seattle (SEA). The current schedule includes the following long-haul routes:
- Seattle (SEA) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO), launching April 29, 2026 (Today)
- Seattle (SEA) to Seoul Incheon (ICN), South Korea
- Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo Narita (NRT), Japan
- Seattle (SEA) to London Heathrow (LHR), launching May 21, 2026
Alaska Airlines will also launch a seasonal summer route from Seattle (SEA) to Reykjavik (KEF), Iceland, on May 28, 2026. However, this route will be operated by a Boeing 737, so passengers on that flight will receive a manual safety demonstration instead.
All Boeing 737 flights across Alaska’s domestic and short-haul network will continue with traditional in-cabin safety briefings performed by flight attendants.
Alaska Inaugurates Rome Flights
Alaska Airlines (AS) has launched its inaugural nonstop flight between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), marking the carrier’s first-ever scheduled service to Europe. The seasonal route operates daily on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner through October 23, 2026.
The new Seattle (SEA) to Rome (FCO) connection fills what Alaska Airlines (AS) describes as one of the largest unserved markets from SEA. It strengthens Seattle’s position as a global gateway and adds daily nonstop cargo service between the Pacific Northwest and Italy, expanding Alaska’s cargo network to 109 destinations worldwide.
Alaska Airlines Enters the European Market With Rome Service
Alaska Airlines’ European expansion represents a significant phase in the carrier’s long-term growth strategy. CEO Ben Minicucci called the launch a milestone that expands how the airline connects guests to the world. The route makes Alaska the only carrier offering daily nonstop flights between Seattle and Rome.
The eastbound flight departs Seattle at 5:30 p.m. and arrives in Rome at 1:15 p.m. the following day. The westbound return departs Rome at 3:25 p.m. and lands in Seattle at 5:45 p.m. This schedule gives eastbound travelers a full afternoon in Rome upon arrival, while westbound passengers arrive in Seattle with the evening ahead.
The route also creates a one-stop connection between Hawaii and Europe through Seattle. This benefits Hawaii-based travelers seeking European access and opens a new gateway for European visitors heading to the Hawaiian Islands.
Ryan Calkins, President of the Port of Seattle Commission, noted that the new link between Italy and the Pacific Northwest serves both leisure and business travelers. Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma, welcomed the route as the first-ever scheduled connection between the two cities, reinforcing Rome Fiumicino’s role as a gateway between Europe and the U.S. Pacific region.
International Business Class Suites on the 787-9 Dreamliner
Alaska Airlines debuted its new international business class Suites experience ahead of the Rome launch. The 787-9 Dreamliner operating this route features 34 spacious business class Suites alongside the airline’s newly designed global livery.
The Suites experience includes a welcome service, multi-course dining throughout the flight, and a Salt & Straw dessert cart with customizable toppings. A regionally inspired, chef-curated meal is served before landing. Guests receive custom-designed amenity kits featuring Salt & Stone travel products and Filson plush bedding and pillows.
The Suites experience currently operates on Seattle to South Korea flights and will extend to the Seattle to London route, launching May 21 as a year-round nonstop service. Seattle to Tokyo flights will also receive the Suites experience this fall when the 787 returns to that market.
Exclusive Check-In and Loyalty Benefits for Top-Tier Members
Alaska Airlines plans to introduce exclusive check-in lanes for Suites guests and Atmos Titanium members at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Additional lanes are planned for Anchorage, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and international stations in London, Reykjavik, Rome, Seoul, and Tokyo.
At Seattle, Alaska’s largest hub, the experience includes a personal concierge who guides eligible guests from a dedicated Suites and Titanium lobby to a private security entrance. The check-in lanes are available to Suites or Atmos Titanium guests traveling with immediate family or up to two guests on the same reservation.
Atmos Titanium members and one companion on the same reservation qualify for space-available, day-of-departure upgrades into international business class Suites and lie-flat seats on flights between Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Alaska is the only U.S. airline to offer international upgrades as a loyalty benefit. Atmos status holders may also apply for upgrade certificates to access business class across Alaska’s global network.
Lounge access is available to guests seated in international business class Suites and to oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members in any cabin, covering Alaska’s lounge network and oneworld partner lounges worldwide.
Premium Economy and Main Cabin Experience
Alaska Airlines extends its hospitality across all cabins on international long-haul flights. International Premium Class passengers receive extra legroom and a curated amenity kit. Complimentary meals, plush blankets, and pillows are offered in both International Premium Class and Main Cabin.
Starlink Wi-Fi Coming to the Entire 787-9 Fleet
Alaska Airlines will equip its entire 787-9 Dreamliner fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi this fall. Once complete, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will become the first U.S. carrier to offer Starlink on 100% of their wide-body fleet. The combined airline group will also operate more Starlink-equipped flights from Seattle than any other carrier.
Alaska already leads the industry as the only airline in the world with Starlink installed across its entire regional fleet. The airline’s first Starlink-enabled mainline aircraft, a Boeing 737-8 MAX, entered service in April 2026. Full rollout across all Alaska and Hawaiian aircraft is targeted for 2027.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for all Atmos Rewards members, powered by a T-Mobile partnership. A new onboard Wi-Fi portal launching this summer will provide seamless gate-to-gate connectivity for streaming, browsing, and staying connected. Atmos Rewards membership is free and allows guests to earn points toward future travel.
A New Global Livery and CEO Welcome Message
Alaska Airlines has repainted the ex-Hawaiian Airlines Dreamliners in its new “global” livery, inspired by the Northern Lights. The design features deep midnight blues and emerald greens, giving the widebody fleet a distinct identity separate from the carrier’s standard narrowbody paint scheme.
In addition to the safety video, CEO Ben Minicucci will appear in a short welcome video played on the Boeing 787 fleet. This marks another first for Alaska Airlines and signals the carrier’s commitment to building a premium long-haul experience.
Eric Edge, Vice President of Brand and Marketing at Alaska Airlines, commented on the video’s purpose. He stated that safety remains the airline’s top priority, but the team wanted the first onboard safety video to feel welcoming and engaging, delivered with the help of the employees who define the airline’s identity.
How Alaska Compares to Other Airlines
At just over six minutes, Alaska Airlines’ safety video is relatively long compared to industry standards. The airline chose to use the extra runtime to highlight its destinations and showcase Seattle culture.
In contrast, Qantas (QF) recently moved away from destination-themed safety videos entirely and returned to a straightforward demonstration format. The Australian flag carrier’s current safety video runs approximately 3 minutes and 58 seconds.
The approach Alaska has taken mirrors a broader trend among airlines that use safety videos as branding tools. Carriers such as Air New Zealand (NZ) and Turkish Airlines (TK) have previously gained attention for creative, cinematic safety videos that double as marketing content.
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