Alaska Airlines Eyes Seattle-Hong Kong Nonstop Route

Alaska Airlines is considering a nonstop route from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), according to a report from Simple Flying. The airline's Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Harrison, told Points Hacks that the carrier would clarify its intentions before the end of this year.

The route would be the airline's third Asia gateway, after Tokyo and Seoul. Both of those routes launched late last year. Alaska's existing Asia service includes flights operated with Hawaiian Airlines' A330 aircraft, while its European routes use the Boeing 787-9.

The airline has five nonstop long-haul routes from Seattle right now: Tokyo, Seoul, London (LHR), Rome (FCO) and Reykjavik (KEF). Athens (ATH) and Paris (CDG) are set to begin in 2026. Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airlines and took over its fleet of 787s, which it now uses for its long-haul network.

The carrier aims to operate 15 long-haul routes by the end of the decade. It has firm orders for 17 more 787s, likely the 787-10 model, Simple Flying reports. Those aircraft are expected to have about 46% premium seating. >Cathay Pacific currently operates five weekly round trips on the Seattle-Hong Kong route with the Airbus A350-900.

Alaska's move would tap into the strong Asian diaspora in the Pacific Northwest and the tech scene in both cities. The airline has been open about its ambition to turn Seattle into a global hub.

• Alaska Airlines
• Andrew Harrison
• Boeing 787
• Hong Kong International Airport
• long-haul routes
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport