Alaska Airlines celebrates a new global connection between the Pacific Northwest and Japan with an inaugural flight today between their hometown hub in Seattle and Tokyo Narita, operated by Hawaiian Airlines’ long-haul aircraft.
The new service marks the start of daily nonstops between the two dynamic cities and the beginning of a new era of widebody international flying for Alaska.
With the combination of Alaska and Hawaiian, we’re transforming Seattle into the West Coast’s new premier global gateway. Our hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is already the largest airline hub on the West Coast, serving 104 nonstop destinations across North America.
Seattle is the closest connection point between the continental U.S. and Tokyo – 7% closer than San Francisco and 13% closer than Los Angeles.
Ben Minicucci, CEO at Alaska Air Group said: “Our growing fleet of widebody aircraft, which includes the flagship 787 Dreamliner, unleashes a world of possibilities of where we can fly to from Seattle.
“Looking ahead, we’ll have exciting additional milestones as we share the new international routes we’ll be launching in the coming years, including destinations in Europe, as part of our plans to serve at least 12 international destinations with widebody aircraft from Seattle by 2030.”
Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon are their first two long-haul flights from Seattle of the 12 they’re looking to add.
Flights between Seattle and Seoul begin on Sept. 12.
Joe Sprague, CEO at Hawaiian Airlines said: “Hawaiian has been serving the Tokyo market for nearly 15 years.
“We’re thrilled to open this new global gateway with Alaska, giving more Pacific Northwest travellers and beyond the opportunity to experience the award-winning hospitality that Hawaiian is known for.”
Ryan Calkins, Port of Seattle Commissioner said: “This is a monumental step for our hometown carrier, Alaska Airlines, and a reflection of the commitment of this entire region to international travel and trade.
“SEA’s position as a global hub is a boon to the Pacific Northwest and provides more choices and opportunities for business and leisure travellers.”
AloJapan.com