Full Breakdown
Alaska Airlines Adds Seattle-Osaka and Seattle-Papeete Long-Haul Flights for Spring 2027
By Drooid · · How we work
New International Services Expand Seattle Hub
Alaska Airlines, building on its 2021 acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, has raised its target for long-haul destinations out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) from 12 to 15 routes by 2030. The carrier announced two additional nonstop services that will launch in the spring of 2027: Seattle to Osaka, Japan (KIX), and Seattle to Papeete, French Polynesia (PPT). Both routes will be operated by Alaska’s Airbus A330 fleet and are intended to strengthen the airline’s emerging global hub.
Flight Schedules and Flight Times
According to the airline’s schedule, the Seattle-Osaka service begins on May 14, 2027 with four weekly flights: AS867 departs Seattle at 12:10 p.m. and arrives in Osaka at 4:00 p.m. (11 h 50 m westbound), while AS868 departs Osaka at 6:00 p.m. and lands in Seattle at 12:20 p.m. (10 h 20 m eastbound). The Seattle-Papeete service starts on June 11, 2027, operating three times weekly. Flight AS987 leaves Seattle at 11:55 p.m. and arrives in Papeete at 7:20 a.m. the next day (10 h 25 m southbound); the return flight AS988 departs Papeete at 5:00 p.m. and lands in Seattle at 6:00 a.m. (10 h northbound). The airline noted that all routes are subject to government approval before commencement.
Introductory Fares and Ticket Availability
To promote the new destinations, Alaska Airlines is offering limited-time fares beginning immediately. Round-trip Main Cabin tickets from Seattle start at $1,199 to Osaka and $999 to Papeete, with availability through Oct. 26. Tickets can be purchased on alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com, and standard terms and conditions apply.
Strategic Rationale
The addition of Osaka and Papeete aligns with Alaska’s strategy to provide “easy reach” of international markets for passengers traveling from across the continental United States via its combined network with Hawaiian Airlines. By securing the only nonstop connections from Seattle to these two cities, the airline aims to capture demand for leisure and business travel in the Asia-Pacific region while leveraging Seattle’s geographic position as a gateway to the Pacific.