This U.S. Airline Just Teased a Europe Expansion, According to Its CEO

• Alaska Airlines has teased an expansion into Europe. 
• Executives announced that Europe is “on the radar for 2026”. 
• Airlines have been expanding with new routes and partnerships to provide increased European service. 

A European getaway could soon be easier from the West Coast. 

Alaska Airlines executives have recently confirmed the airline plans to expand into Europe within the next two years. 

“Europe is definitely on the radar for 2026,” Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said in a recent industry event, according to travel news site Skift. The comments were made during the Aviation Leader Series Luncheon at The Wings Club in New York City on March 27, 2025.

The airline previously stated it will be adding 12 additional international markets by 2030, including Europe, on a January 2025 investor earnings call. 

“Yes. I mean, Europe, we haven’t started yet,” Alaska Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison said when asked about seasonality of future airline routes.  

Alaska Airlines declined to provide additional comment when asked by Travel + Leisure, but executives did specify the planned expansions would mostly be from its hub at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.

The airline has previously announced an international expansion in Asia, with new service from Seattle to Seoul, South Korea, taking off in September 2025. Alaska also announced daily service from Seattle to Tokyo (NRT) starting on May 12, 2025. 

Seattle is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which operates service to Amsterdam (AMS) and Paris (CDG) from the airport. Delta also offers service to Seoul from Seattle. 

Both of the Alaska Airlines executives comments come as airlines have been adding new routes, or partnering with airlines to offer flights throughout Europe.

For example, Southwest Airlines recently launched connections to Europe through a joint commercial agreement with Icelandair. Announced in January 2025, the two airlines signed the agreement to offer connections to destinations such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, and Prague from Icelandair’s Reykjavik hub. 

American Airlines previously announced new routes to Europe that launch this spring, including service to Athens, Edinburgh, and Milan.