Alaska Airlines will launch a new nonstop service between Seattle and Athens in May 2027, establishing the first-ever direct air connection between Greece and the Pacific Northwest.
The seasonal route will commence on 12 May 2027 and operate three times weekly through October using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. According to the airline, it will become both the longest route in Alaska Airlines’ network and the only nonstop service connecting Athens with the U.S. West Coast during the operating period.
Flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will depart at 16:30 and arrive at Athens International Airport at 14:20 the following day. Return services will leave Athens at 16:20 and land in Seattle at 18:55 local time.
| Route | Start date | Departure | Arrival | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle–Athens | 12 May 2027 | 16:30 | 14:20 (+1 day) | 3 weekly |
| Athens–Seattle | 13 May 2027 | 16:20 | 18:55 | 3 weekly |
The outbound service will carry flight number AS196, a reference to Athens hosting the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
George Kallimasias, Managing Director and CEO of Athens International Airport, welcomed the announcement, highlighting its potential to strengthen tourism, business, investment and trade links between Greece and the western United States.
The service will offer passengers access to Alaska Airlines’ extensive network across the U.S. West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii through its Seattle hub. In the opposite direction, Athens will provide opportunities for onward travel to Greek domestic and regional destinations.
Flights will be operated by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring lie-flat suites in International Business Class, multi-course dining and upgraded amenities across the cabins. Atmos Rewards members are also expected to receive complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi as the technology is progressively installed across the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines fleets through 2027.
The Athens announcement forms part of Alaska Airlines’ broader transformation from a predominantly domestic U.S. carrier into an increasingly global airline. By the summer of 2027, the company plans to serve seven intercontinental destinations from Seattle: Athens, Paris, London, Rome, Reykjavík, Seoul and Tokyo.
Alaska Airlines is targeting more than 12 long-haul international routes from Seattle in the coming years, with at least five additional intercontinental destinations planned by 2030.
Alongside Athens, the airline announced a new Seattle–Paris Charles de Gaulle service. Flights to the French capital will begin on 25 May 2027 and operate five times weekly through October.
The addition of Athens is particularly significant for the Greek aviation market. Beyond opening a previously unserved city pair, it expands Greece’s transatlantic connectivity beyond the traditional gateways of the eastern and central United States. It also gives Athens access to a large catchment area covering Washington State and the broader Pacific Northwest, while strengthening the airport’s position as a growing gateway between southeastern Europe and North America.
Tickets for the new services are already available through Alaska Airlines.
