Alaska Airlines is charting new international territory with a striking new livery design.
The Seattle-based carrier on Tuesday announced two new transatlantic routes launching in 2026, with nonstop service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to London’s Heathrow Airport and Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport. The airline is rapidly expanding its global reach following its 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. It had also purchased Virgin America in 2016.
Both European routes are set to launch in the spring with daily, year-round service planned for London, which is one of the most sought-after destinations for American travelers and a key hub for Alaska’s Oneworld alliance partners.
As part of the announcement, Alaska Airlines revealed a new design for the aircraft that will serve these long-haul flights, retiring the iconic image of the Alaska Inuit Native man that has adorned the airline’s tailfins for decades.
The new look, reserved for the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, replaces the human portrait with flowing swashes of blue and green intended to evoke the aurora borealis.
The rebrand is described by the airline as a tribute to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, with the aurora motif symbolizing connectivity and global reach. The “Alaska” wordmark remains prominent near the front of the aircraft in navy blue.
The Dreamliner jets, set to enter service in the coming year, represent Alaska’s first foray into twin-aisle aircraft, a move necessary to support intercontinental service. The carrier has historically focused on domestic and short-haul international flights, primarily within North America.
The announcement is part of a broader post-merger strategy that aims to turn Alaska into a formidable player in international travel markets, particularly for West Coast flyers seeking more direct connections overseas.
Flights to Reykjavik and London will be available for booking later this year, the airline said.