Alaska Airlines has opened ticket sales for two major additions to its Seattle schedule: nonstop flights to Athens and Paris beginning in May 2027. The airline says introductory roundtrip Main Cabin fares start at $999 when purchased in the United States by August 26, although availability and restrictions apply.
The headline fare is only one part of the decision. Athens will become Alaska’s longest route and the only nonstop link between the West Coast and the Greek capital, while Paris adds a five days per week option to Charles de Gaulle. Both routes are seasonal, use Boeing 787-9 aircraft, and are scheduled to operate through October.
- Sales are open: Alaska began selling both routes on August 20, 2026.
- Athens starts: May 12, 2027, with three flights per week from Seattle.
- Paris starts: May 25, 2027, with five flights per week from Seattle.
- Introductory fare: Roundtrip Main Cabin fares start at $999 for qualifying U.S. purchases through August 26.
- Traveler decision: Compare the total itinerary and fare conditions now, but verify the operating schedule before booking hotels or separate positioning flights.
What Alaska announced for Athens and Paris
In its August 20 route announcement, Alaska said Seattle to Athens service will begin May 12, 2027. The outbound is scheduled to leave Seattle at 4:30 p.m. and reach Athens at 2:20 p.m. the following day. The return begins May 13, departing Athens at 4:20 p.m. and arriving in Seattle at 6:55 p.m.
The Athens route is planned for three flights per week through October. Alaska describes it as the West Coast’s only nonstop flight to Athens and the longest route in the carrier’s network. Independent airline analysis from One Mile at a Time also highlights how the two additions extend Alaska’s recent European expansion from Seattle.
Seattle to Paris begins May 25, 2027. Alaska lists a 5:25 p.m. departure from Seattle and a 12:25 p.m. arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle the next day. The Paris return starts May 26, leaving at 2:25 p.m. and arriving in Seattle at 3:50 p.m.
Paris is scheduled five times per week through October. Alaska says it will be the first nonstop flight operated by a oneworld airline between the West Coast and Paris. Travelers should still compare it with other nonstop and connecting options because alliance status does not by itself determine the best fare, schedule, or loyalty return.
| If you are deciding between… | What changes the choice |
|---|---|
| Athens and Paris | Athens operates three times weekly and offers a rare nonstop; Paris operates five times weekly and may offer more date flexibility. |
| The $999 fare and a higher flexible fare | Compare change rules, bag costs, seat selection, loyalty earnings, and the exact travel dates before choosing the lowest displayed price. |
| A Seattle nonstop and a one stop itinerary | Price the positioning flight, connection risk, total travel time, and overnight timing rather than the long haul segment alone. |
| Booking now and waiting | The introductory purchase window ends August 26, but the lowest fare may not be available on every date or flight. |
| Separate and protected tickets | A single protected itinerary can reduce risk when a domestic delay threatens the international departure. |
How the introductory $999 fare works
Alaska is advertising roundtrip Main Cabin fares from $999. The airline says the offer applies to purchases made in the United States through August 26 and notes that restrictions apply. A starting price is not a promise that every departure, stay length, or passenger count will return the same result.
Travelers should search the exact dates they can use and continue through the booking path far enough to see the complete total. The important comparison includes taxes, the fare’s change and cancellation conditions, seat choices, checked bags, and any domestic segment needed to reach Seattle.
The sale window also does not eliminate the normal risk of booking travel far in advance. Both routes begin about nine months after sales open. Schedules, aircraft assignments, and operating times can change, so reservations that cannot move should be made with cancellation terms that match the traveler’s tolerance.
Those planning Paris can use Deep Arrival’s guide to getting from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Eiffel Tower to compare train, taxi, and transfer options. The Paris attractions guide can help decide whether the nonstop schedule supports the length of stay being considered.
What the Boeing 787-9 means for the trip
Alaska plans to use Hawaiian Airlines operated Boeing 787-9 aircraft on both routes. The airline says the aircraft includes lie flat business class suites, curated dining, and premium amenities. It also says Starlink Wi-Fi is being installed across the widebody fleet through 2027.
That last detail deserves careful wording. A fleetwide installation program is not the same as a guarantee that a particular flight in May 2027 will have active Starlink service. Travelers who need connectivity should check the aircraft and onboard service information closer to departure rather than treating Wi-Fi as fixed at booking.
The operating arrangement also matters when managing the trip. Alaska is selling the flights, while the 787 service is tied to the combined Alaska and Hawaiian network. Customers should follow the operating carrier shown on the final itinerary for check-in instructions, day of travel alerts, baggage handling, and aircraft updates.
Alaska says the new routes will bring its summer 2027 intercontinental network from Seattle to seven destinations: Athens, Paris, Reykjavik, London, Rome, Seoul, and Tokyo. The carrier expects to add at least five more intercontinental destinations from Seattle by 2030, but those future cities are not part of this sale and should not be assumed.
Who benefits most from the Seattle nonstops
The clearest beneficiaries are Seattle area travelers who can avoid a domestic or European connection. Athens may be especially valuable because Alaska says no other West Coast airport currently has a nonstop to the city. Paris has more competition across the broader West Coast, but Alaska’s Seattle departure adds a new local schedule.
Travelers outside Seattle need a more careful calculation. A cheap long haul fare can lose its advantage if positioning flights require an overnight hotel, separate baggage fees, or a risky same day connection. Search the complete origin to destination itinerary first, then compare a separate Seattle ticket only if the savings justify the added responsibility.
The weekly frequency can also shape a vacation. Three Athens flights per week provide less recovery flexibility than a daily service if a flight is canceled or a traveler needs to change dates. Paris at five flights per week offers more options, but it still does not operate every day under the announced schedule.
For travelers using points, the cash headline should be a benchmark rather than the automatic choice. Compare the mileage price, taxes, cancellation flexibility, and value of keeping cash. Also verify whether the fare earns credit in the loyalty program the traveler intends to use.
A booking checklist before the August 26 deadline
Take a screenshot or save a copy of the selected fare conditions before paying. Confirm that the itinerary names Seattle, Athens or Paris correctly, shows the expected operating carrier, and places every passenger on the same reservation when that is the intent. Check passport validity and entry requirements through official government sources rather than relying on the booking screen.
If the trip begins in another city, compare a through ticket with a separate positioning reservation. A separate ticket can create a lower total, but it can also leave the traveler responsible for a missed long haul departure after a domestic delay. Build enough time for baggage collection, terminal movement, and an overnight stay when the risk calls for it.
Finally, price the ground plan before treating the airfare as a bargain. Paris Charles de Gaulle and Athens International Airport each require time and money to reach the final hotel or cruise connection. A lower flight price can be offset by an inconvenient arrival, a nonrefundable transfer, or an extra hotel night.
- Seattle travelers gain two nonstops: Athens removes a connection that is currently unavoidable from the West Coast, while Paris adds another direct Europe option.
- The calendar is seasonal: Both routes are announced from May through October, so winter trips are outside the published schedule.
- Frequency affects flexibility: Athens runs three times weekly and Paris five times weekly, which can limit same-route recovery choices.
- The sale requires a full-price check: The $999 figure is a starting roundtrip Main Cabin fare, not a universal price.
- Whether the introductory fare appears on the exact departure and return dates needed before August 26.
- Final operating days, aircraft assignments, and times as the May 2027 launch approaches.
- Which 787-9 aircraft have active Starlink service at the time of travel.
- Connection and rebooking terms when the itinerary begins outside Seattle.
- Any schedule extension beyond October, which Alaska has not announced.
The practical headline is that Alaska has moved these routes from announcement to sale. Travelers who want the new Seattle nonstops can price Athens and Paris now, but the smart booking decision depends on the complete itinerary, the fare rules, and the flexibility required for a seasonal service that is still months from launch.
When does Alaska Airlines start flying from Seattle to Athens?
The first Seattle to Athens flight is scheduled for May 12, 2027. The service is planned three times per week through October.
When does Alaska Airlines start flying from Seattle to Paris?
The first Seattle to Paris flight is scheduled for May 25, 2027. The route is planned five times per week through October.
Is every Alaska Athens or Paris fare $999?
No. Alaska says roundtrip Main Cabin fares start at $999 for qualifying U.S. purchases through August 26. Availability and restrictions apply.
Which aircraft will Alaska use to Athens and Paris?
Alaska says both routes are scheduled on Hawaiian Airlines operated Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
