Alaska and Hawaiian Are Adding Seattle-Osaka and Seattle-Tahiti. The Global Network Keeps Growing.
Alaska and Hawaiian expand global network with new nonstop Seattle service to Osaka starting May 2027 and Papeete starting June 2027. Both on A330 Suites.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines announced two new intercontinental routes from Seattle today - Osaka, Japan starting May 14, 2027, and Papeete, Tahiti starting June 11, 2027. Both routes will operate on Hawaiian’s A330-200 fleet.
These become the 8th and 9th long-haul intercontinental routes added to the combined Alaska Air Group network. Here’s what’s coming and why this matters.
Seattle to Osaka
The new Seattle-Kansai International (KIX) service launches May 14, 2027, operating four times weekly year-round (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday from Seattle). Departures at 12:10 PM will arrive in Osaka at 4:00 PM the next day. Return service departs Osaka at 6:00 PM arriving Seattle at 12:20 PM.
This is notable as it is the only nonstop service between Seattle and Osaka. For context on what this means:
- Shortest connecting path from many US points. For Atmos members and other oneworld travelers in the Western US, this routing becomes the fastest way to Osaka from many markets. Previously, connections were available via Tokyo or Los Angeles meant longer total travel times.
- Alaska’s third Asia destination. Alaska now serves Tokyo (via Hawaiian), Seoul, and now Osaka. It’s quite the Asia network for a carrier that started as a regional airline.
- Osaka is strategically important. Osaka serves as the gateway to Japan’s Kansai region, including Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. For travelers wanting to explore Japan beyond Tokyo, Osaka is a great gateway city.
Introductory round-trip Main Cabin fares from Seattle to Osaka start at $1,199 (available through October 26).
Seattle to Papeete, Tahiti
The Seattle-Papeete (PPT) service launches June 11, 2027, operating three times weekly year-round (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday from Seattle). Departures at 11:55 PM arrive at 7:20 AM the next day. Return service departs Papeete at 5:00 PM arriving Seattle at 6:00 AM.
The flight number, AS987, also has a special tie in. Alaska is identifies this as a nod to French Polynesia’s five-digit postal codes that begin with 987.
A few interesting details about this route:
- Only nonstop US service. No other US airline flies Seattle-Tahiti. The combined Alaska/Hawaiian network becomes the only option for one-stop access from much of the US.
- Same-day Bora Bora and Moorea connections. Through an expanded Air Tahiti partnership, travelers can reach Bora Bora and Moorea the same day they arrive in Papeete. Previously, overnight stops in Papeete were often required for such an itinerary.
- Rarotonga access. Same-day connections to the Cook Islands become available through the expanded Air Tahiti partnership.
Introductory round-trip Main Cabin fares from Seattle to Papeete start at $999 (also through October 26).
The Alaska Accelerate Strategy in Motion
These additions bring the combined Alaska Air Group’s Seattle long-haul network to:
- London
- Tokyo (via Hawaiian)
- Seoul
- Rome
- Reykjavík
- Athens (announced for May 2027)
- Paris (announced for May 2027)
- Osaka (announced today, May 2027)
- Papeete (announced today, June 2027)
That’s a 9-destination long-haul network from a single hub. For an airline that primarily focused on West Coast domestic operations just a few years ago, this is a huge transformation.
CEO Ben Minicucci’s quoted goal is building the long-haul Seattle network to at least 15 intercontinental destinations by 2030. At the current pace, they’re easily on track.
My Take
Talk about consistent execution of the Alaska Accelerate strategy.
The Osaka service is particularly interesting. Rather than fighting Delta and United head-to-head on Seattle-Tokyo, Alaska is going to the second-largest Japanese gateway city.
The Papeete service also plays to the Alaska/Hawaiian strengths. If you’re planning French Polynesia travel in 2027, this becomes a solid option.
Also worth watching: the mention of the A330 cabin refresh starting in 2028. The Leihōkū Suites product we covered earlier will eventually come to these routes.. Eventually you’ll get this refreshed version.
Bottom Line
Alaska now has nine intercontinental routes from Seattle and counting. They are building a global airline much faster than most analysts expected.
Introductory fares are live now through October 26 - $999 to Papeete, $1,199 to Osaka round-trip Main Cabin. If either destination interests you, this is a good time to book.
Source: Alaska Airlines Newsroom
Related: Alaska Airlines Is Flying to Athens and Paris · Hawaiian’s Leihōkū Suites and A330 Refresh · Alaska & Hawaiian Join the Service Upgrade Race