Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) celebrated Alaska Airlines’ first intercontinental flight to Narita International Airport today, welcoming another option for travelers to reach Tokyo, Japan. The daily connection, operated by Hawaiian Airlines, kicks off a new era of international wide-body flights for Alaska, with 12 destinations out of SEA planned to begin by 2030.
Port of Seattle Commissioners Ryan Calkins and Sam Cho, Interim Managing Director of Aviation Arif Ghouse, and Port Executive Director Steve Metruck joined Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci and Hawaiian CEO Joe Sprague in the festivities. Today’s celebration included specialty cocktails in Alaska’s N Concourse lounge, a Taiko drumming ceremony, speeches, and a ribbon cutting.
“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,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins. “SEA’s position as a global hub is a boon to the Pacific Northwest and provides more choices and opportunities for business and leisure travelers.”
As Alaska Airlines’ largest West Coast hub with 104 domestic connections across North America, SEA will be a jumping-off point to the popular Asian destination for many beyond the Pacific Northwest. Flights will initially be on Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet of Airbus A330s and transition to Alaska’s growing fleet of Boeing 787-9s.
“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,” said Ben Minicucci, CEO at Alaska Air Group. “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.”
Tips for Tokyo travel
Tokyo has been a popular destination in recent years, and there’s good reason for it. Travelers can enjoy a blend of modernism and historical roots — fast-paced visits to attractions or slower sojourns through tearooms, temples, and gardens. Unique experiences on offer include witnessing a traditional sumo wrestling competition at Ryogoku Kokugikan, exploring the world of anime at Nakano Broadway, and walking the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection at Shibuya Crossing. Extend your trip by taking one of the world’s fastest trains from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Flight details
| Route | Days | Depart | Arrivals | Flight No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA to NRT | Daily | 1:30 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. (next day) | HA823 |
| NRT to SEA | Daily | 6:25 p.m. | 11:30 a.m. (same day) | HA824 |
International service at SEA
Travelers out of SEA now have 55 service options to 34 international destinations on 28 different airlines. This is the second new nonstop international service to begin this year, after a record-setting eight new nonstop services in 2024. Later this month, Scandinavian Airlines will begin service to Copenhagen, followed by Edelweiss service to Zurich in June, and Alaska Airlines’ next wide-body international flight, to Seoul in September.
Airport tips for traveling abroad
International travelers can make their trips through SEA Airport easier in several ways. Trusted Traveler Programs like Mobile Passport Control and Global Entry streamline travelers’ entry process into the United States. Outbound travelers will benefit from enrolling in TSA PreCheck.
Contact
Perry Cooper | SEA Airport
[email protected]
