Alaska Airlines expands long-haul network as the sole carrier serving Osaka and Tahiti from Seattle.

The Alaska Air Group is broadening its global network from Seattle, launching nonstop services to Osaka and Tahiti in 2027 with Hawaiian Airlines.

From spring next year, Alaska Airlines will offer the only nonstop service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Osaka in Japan and Papeete in Tahiti, French Polynesia.

Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian accelerates long-haul network expansion plans

Following its 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines is deploying the carrier’s Airbus A330-200 aircraft on both routes, providing convenient connections across the two airlines’ combined networks.

Ben Minicucci, President and CEO of Alaska Air Group, said: “We are building an airline that connects the Pacific Northwest to more of the world, and we know our guests will be excited to have convenient access from Seattle.”

The new routes, which are part of the group’s long-term plan to evolve into a premium and diversified airline, are also aligned with the transformation of Seattle into a global gateway serving at least 15 long-haul intercontinental destinations by 2030.

“We’re just getting started with more international destinations on the horizon as we grow as the leading global airline on the West Coast,” added Minicucci.

Serving 103 domestic destinations across North America, SEA is the largest airline hub on the West Coast. Alaska’s expanding long-haul network already includes London, Tokyo, Seoul, Rome and Reykjavik. Alaska also recently announced new nonstop routes to Athens and Paris from Seattle.

Alaska’s nonstop service to Osaka builds on Hawaiian’s connectivity via Honolulu

Alaska is planning four flights a week to Osaka from 14 May and three to Papeete from 11 June. Both routes will be operated year-round, subject to government approval.

For Hawaiian, the Seattle assignments build on decades of flying from Honolulu. The airline has served Osaka from Honolulu since 2011 and Papeete since 1987. Its current air link with Honolulu will be complemented by the connectivity with Seattle, creating wider opportunities for passengers across Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ combined network to explore Asia and Oceania.

The four-times-weekly service between Seattle and Osaka offers a convenient connection between Japan and destinations across Alaska’s domestic network, including the shortest connecting path to Osaka from many points across the network. Known for its celebrated food culture, bustling business scene and central location in Japan’s Kansai region, Osaka offers guests access to a wider region that includes Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.

The route to Osaka also marks a second Japanese gateway for Alaska alongside Tokyo.

Osaka gives Alaska access to Japan’s Kansai region

For Fabien Gourdon, Corporate Executive Vice President, CCO of Aeronautical Kansai Airports, the launch of the new Seattle-Osaka service marks a key milestone in the airport’s development as it becomes the airline’s third destination in Asia.

“Kansai Airports has been working to expand its network to North America, and we are truly grateful and delighted to welcome Alaska Airlines, whose service to KIX we have long looked forward to. We hope this new connection between Kansai and Seattle will further strengthen both tourism and business ties between Kansai and North America .”

Alaska boosts direct same-day connectivity with island destinations across Oceania

While Air Tahiti Nui previously served the Seattle-Tahiti route, it dropped it earlier this year after the airline sustained heavy losses in its Seattle operation.

Alaska’s nonstop Tahiti service starting on 11 June 2027 will enable passengers to benefit from a three-times-weekly service and same-day connectivity from Papeete to the popular island destinations of Bora Bora and Moorea.

In addition, passengers travelling from Seattle will be able to connect via a same-day connection in Papeete with Rarotonga in the Cook Islands through Alaska’s expanded partnership with Air Tahiti.

Hawaiian will also continue its Honolulu to Papeete route, providing customers with more options for reaching Tahiti, whether flying directly from Seattle or connecting via Honolulu.

With Hawaiian Airlines celebrating 40 years of connecting Hawaii and French Polynesia, its integration into Alaska Airlines network creates “new opportunities to connect a broader and a more diverse range of North American travellers with the Islands of Tahiti,” said Vaihere Lissnat, CEO, Tahiti Tourisme.

What can passengers expect when flying Alaska’s two new routes?

Passengers travelling between Seattle and Osaka or Papeete will fly onboard Hawaiian’s older A330 product, featuring 18 lie-flat business-class seats arranged in three rows in a 2-2-2 layout and ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi. In economy, the configuration includes 260 seats: 192 in the standard main cabin and 68 Extra Comfort (extra legroom) seats.

However, Hawaiian Airlines has announced a major fleet retrofit from 2028, bringing an enhanced onboard experience on long-haul journeys. Under the upcoming reconfiguration, economy and Extra Comfort economy seating will change to introduce a dedicated premium economy cabin featuring 28 seats, while closed-door suites will be featured up front.

Earlier this month, Alaska also unveiled its future cabins, which will feature the all-new Aurora Suite on all Boeing 787-9 and -10 Dreamliners, as well as on all Airbus A330-200 aircraft painted in the Hawaiian’s livery.