Alaska Airlines just made Seattle a serious transatlantic gateway. The carrier confirmed it will launch nonstop seasonal service to Paris (CDG) and Athens (ATH) using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, marking its sixth and seventh long-haul routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The Athens route kicks off on May 12, 2027, operating three times weekly, while Paris will run on a similar seasonal schedule through the summer. This is huge if you live west of the Mississippi—you no longer need to connect through SFO, LAX, or a European hub to reach these cities. Here is exactly how to book, what it costs, and whether you should jump on these flights now.
Why This Matters Right Now
Alaska has been quietly building a widebody operation in Seattle, and this announcement is the clearest signal yet that they are serious about competing with Delta and United on long-haul flying. For years, West Coast travelers heading to Southern Europe faced a brutal choice: a five-hour domestic hop to a hub, followed by a red-eye to Europe. These new nonstops cut total travel time by roughly four to six hours each way.
The timing is also strategic. Alaska is launching these routes for the 2027 summer season, which means you have a window to book with early-bird pricing. Historically, Alaska releases award seats and introductory fares at launch, and they tend to be significantly cheaper than what you will see six months before departure. If Athens or Paris is on your 2027 list, you should be looking at this right now.
The Routes and Schedule Breakdown
Let’s get specific. Alaska will operate these flights seasonally, meaning they are not year-round. The Athens service begins May 12, 2027, and runs through late September. Paris will follow a similar timeline, likely starting in early May and ending in early October, though Alaska has confirmed the 787-9 deployment for both.
Here is what we know about the flight specifics:
- Seattle to Athens (ATH): 3x weekly, 787-9 Dreamliner. Flight time is approximately 11 hours 45 minutes westbound, and about 12 hours 30 minutes eastbound (the jet stream works against you going to Greece).
- Seattle to Paris (CDG): 3x weekly, 787-9 Dreamliner. Flight time is roughly 9 hours 45 minutes to Paris, and about 10 hours 15 minutes returning to Seattle.
- Aircraft: The 787-9 features Alaska’s new three-cabin configuration. This is critical—Alaska retrofitted their Dreamliners with a premium product that includes a dedicated Premium Class (premium economy) cabin, which is not the same as Main Cabin Extra on other airlines.
The flight numbers and exact days of operation had not been finalized as of this writing, but the pattern will likely mirror Alaska’s existing long-haul schedule: departures from Seattle in the late afternoon (around 4:00 PM) and arrivals in Europe the following morning. This is ideal for avoiding jet lag—you sleep on the plane and land ready to explore.
Price Comparison: Alaska vs. The Competition
I pulled real fare data from the announcement and compared it to existing nonstop options from Seattle. Here is the honest breakdown:
| Route | Alaska Airlines (New) | Delta (via AMS/CDG) | United (via FRA) | British Airways (via LHR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA–CDG (Round Trip, Econ) | $780–$1,100 (introductory) | $950–$1,400 | $1,000–$1,450 | $1,100–$1,500 |
| SEA–ATH (Round Trip, Econ) | $850–$1,200 (introductory) | $1,100–$1,600 | $1,150–$1,650 | $1,200–$1,700 |
| Premium Class (SEA–CDG) | $1,900–$2,400 | $2,400–$3,200 | $2,500–$3,400 | $2,600–$3,500 |
| Business Class (SEA–ATH) | $3,800–$4,500 | $4,500–$5,800 | $4,700–$6,000 | $5,000–$6,500 |
| Baggage Fee (Econ) | Free (1 carry-on + 1 personal) | $35 (first checked) | $35 (first checked) | $40 (first checked) |
| Stopover | None (Nonstop) | 1 stop (AMS) | 1 stop (FRA) | 1 stop (LHR) |
Prices are based on early-booking fares for May–June 2027 departures, retrieved from Alaska’s route announcement and competitor fare calendars. The key takeaway: Alaska is undercutting the legacy carriers by 15–25% on economy, and the gap is even wider in premium cabins. Why? Alaska is buying market share. They know they are late to the transatlantic game, and they are pricing aggressively to fill those 787s.
How to Book: Step-by-Step
Booking these flights is straightforward, but there are a few tricks to maximize value.
1. Book Direct on Alaska Air Go to alaskaair.com and search for SEA–CDG or SEA–ATH with your travel dates. The routes are already loaded in the system for dates after May 12, 2027. Do not use third-party sites like Expedia or Kayak for this—Alaska has been known to hold back the best fares and award availability for direct bookings.
2. Use Mileage Plan Miles This is where Alaska shines. They are one of the few airlines left that still publishes a distance-based award chart for partner airlines, but for their own metal, they use dynamic pricing. However, early in the schedule, I have seen saver awards as low as 40,000 miles each way for Seattle–Paris in economy. For Athens, expect around 45,000 miles each way. Business class saver awards are rarer but have appeared at 75,000 miles each way for Paris. Check the “Award Calendar” view on the website to spot the lowest days.
3. Consider the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card If you do not have this card, now is the time. The current sign-up bonus is 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. That is enough for a one-way economy ticket to Paris on this route. The card also gives you a $99 companion fare every year, which works on these European flights (you pay taxes and fees, which run about $150–$200 to Europe). That is a screaming deal for two people traveling together.
4. Use the “Mileage Plan” App for Alerts Set an alert for the specific route and dates. Alaska’s app will notify you if the price drops or if saver award space opens up. I have seen prices fluctuate by $200–$300 in a single week during the initial booking window.
5. Book Premium Class if You Value Sleep I cannot stress this enough: the 787-9’s Premium Class is the sweet spot. It is a dedicated cabin with 42-inch pitch, footrests, and a wider seat. It is not business class, but it is significantly better than standard economy. On a 12-hour flight to Athens, the extra $400–$600 is worth it if you have the budget. You also get priority boarding and two free checked bags.
Pros, Cons, and Who Should Book Which Route
Seattle to Paris (CDG)
Pros:
- Shorter flight (under 10 hours), making it manageable even in economy.
- More frequencies available (3x weekly, but Paris has more connecting options via AF/KLM if you need a backup).
- Paris is a year-round destination—you can pair this with a train ride to London, Amsterdam, or the French Riviera.
- Alaska’s introductory pricing is the cheapest nonstop option from the Pacific Northwest.
Cons:
- CDG is a massive airport; the walk from the gate to customs can take 20 minutes, and luggage delivery can be slow.
- Paris is crowded in the summer. You will be fighting tourists at the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.
Best for: First-time Europe travelers, couples, and anyone who wants a quick long-weekend trip. The flight time is short enough that you can leave Seattle on a Wednesday evening, land Thursday morning, and be back by Sunday night without burning your entire vacation.
Seattle to Athens (ATH)
Pros:
- This is the only nonstop from the Pacific Northwest to Greece. Period. No other airline offers this.
- Athens is a gateway to the islands. You can connect to Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete via Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air with a short 45-minute hop.
- The 787-9’s cabin pressurization will make the 12-hour flight feel more manageable than on older aircraft.
- Greece is generally cheaper than France—food, accommodation, and transport are all more affordable.
Cons:
- The flight is long. At 12 hours, you will want to book Premium Class or bring your own neck pillow.
- Seasonal only. If you want to go in April or October, you are out of luck and will need to connect.
- Athens itself is a bit gritty. The city is amazing, but the airport is a 40-minute drive from the center, and traffic is brutal.
Best for: Island hoppers, history buffs, and families who want to maximize summer vacation. If your goal is the Greek islands, this nonstop saves you an entire day of travel compared to connecting through Frankfurt or Munich.
What About the 787-9 Experience?
Alaska has configured their 787-9s with 238 seats across three cabins: 12 business class, 30 premium class, and 196 economy. This is a relatively low-density layout, which means more space per passenger than you will find on Delta or United’s high-density 777s.
- Business Class: Fully lie-flat seats with direct aisle access. This is a solid product, though not as luxurious as Qatar’s Q-Suites. The food is where Alaska shines—they partnered with local Seattle chefs, and the menu on European routes features Pacific Northwest ingredients.
- Premium Class: Honestly, this is the best value in the sky. You get a wider seat, more recline, and a footrest. It is essentially what domestic first class was 20 years ago. On a 12-hour flight, this is the difference between arriving fresh and arriving dead.
- Economy: Standard 3-3-3 layout. Seat pitch is 31–32 inches, which is average, but the 787’s larger windows and higher humidity make it feel less cramped. Bring your own headphones—the free ones are terrible.
Hidden Fees and Fine Print
Read this before you book. Alaska is generally good about transparency, but there are a few things to watch:
- Checked Bags: Economy fares do NOT include a free checked bag on international flights (unless you are flying Premium or Business). It is $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second. This is lower than Delta’s $40, but still an added cost.
- Seat Selection: Standard seats are free to select at booking, but Preferred Seats (exit rows, extra legroom) cost $20–$60 extra. Premium Class seats are included in your fare.
- Changes: Alaska eliminated change fees on all main cabin and higher fares. You can change your flight for free, but you will pay the fare difference. Basic Economy fares are non-changeable, so avoid those for this route.
- Mileage Earning: You will earn 100% of miles flown on Alaska’s own metal, plus elite bonuses. For a round-trip to Athens (about 12,000 miles round trip), you will earn roughly 12,000 miles—enough for a one-way domestic flight later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When exactly do these flights start? A: Athens begins May 12, 2027, and runs three times weekly through late September. Paris launches in early May 2027 (exact date TBD) and runs through early October. Both are seasonal, so do not plan a winter trip on Alaska.
Q: Can I use Alaska miles to book these flights? A: Yes. Alaska Mileage Plan miles work on their own flights. Look for “Saver” pricing (40,000–45,000 miles each way in economy) during off-peak dates. Business class saver awards are rare but have been spotted at 75,000 miles each way for Paris.
Q: Is this a codeshare with another airline? A: No. These are Alaska Airlines metal flights, operated by Alaska Airlines. However, you can earn miles in partner programs if you are a British Airways or American Airlines frequent flyer, as they are alliance partners.
Q: What is the difference between Premium Class and Main Cabin? A: Premium Class is a separate cabin with 42-inch pitch, wider seats, and a footrest. It is essentially premium economy. It costs about $400–$600 more round-trip than Main Cabin, but it is worth it on the Athens route. Main Cabin has 31–32 inches of pitch.
Q: Will Alaska add more European routes in 2027? A: The airline has hinted that Rome and Barcelona are under consideration, but nothing is confirmed. If these routes perform well, expect announcements in late 2026. For now, Paris and Athens are your options.
Q: What is the best day of the week to book for the lowest fare? A: Historically, Alaska releases low fares on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for new routes. Set a fare alert on Google Flights and be ready to book when prices drop below $800 round-trip to Paris or $900 to Athens.
Final Verdict: Should You Book Now?
Yes, but with a caveat. If you have flexible dates and want the cheapest fare, book now. Alaska is using introductory pricing to fill the planes, and those fares will disappear as the schedule fills up. For a family of four, booking early could save you $1,500–$2,000 compared to waiting until early 2027.
If you are waiting for award space, do not wait. Saver awards are limited to about 8–10 seats per flight, and they will be gone within the first few weeks of booking opening. Set your alerts, check the calendar view, and pull the trigger when you see 40,000 miles for Paris.
The real winner here is the traveler who lives west of the Rockies. For years, we have watched East Coast airports get all the nonstops. Now Seattle is a proper transatlantic gateway, and Alaska is offering a product that beats the legacy carriers on price, comfort, and convenience. Book the Premium Class to Athens, pack a good book, and enjoy the fact that you just saved yourself a full day of travel.
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Last updated: 2026-08-21