Alaska Airlines Expands Seattle Network With Athens, Paris Routes

Alaska Air Group ALK is expanding its international footprint from Seattle with new nonstop seasonal service to Athens and Paris, reinforcing its position as Seattle’s largest international carrier. The Athens service will begin on May 12, 2027, operating three times weekly through October, while Paris service will start on May 25, 2027, with five weekly flights over the same period. The new routes are expected to provide travelers in the Pacific Northwest with more convenient access to key European destinations.

The Athens route is particularly notable, as Alaska will become the first airline to offer nonstop service between Seattle and Athens and the only carrier to provide a nonstop connection between the West Coast and Greece’s capital. Meanwhile, the Paris route will provide direct access to one of the most in-demand transatlantic markets from the region. The airline also expects the expanded network to support same-day connections between Honolulu and Paris through Seattle, improving international connectivity for travelers from Hawaii.

Both routes will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, featuring Alaska’s new long-haul international experience, including lie-flat Business Class Suites, premium amenities and Starlink Wi-Fi. With Athens and Paris, Alaska’s Seattle intercontinental network will grow to seven destinations, alongside Iceland, London, Rome, Seoul and Tokyo. The airline plans to add at least five more intercontinental destinations by 2030, supported by additional Dreamliners.

The expansion underscores Alaska’s broader strategy of transforming Seattle into a major global gateway and increasing its long-haul international presence. Its oneworld alliance and other global partnerships will further enable passengers to connect to hundreds of destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. This international growth could strengthen Alaska’s competitive position in the Pacific Northwest while giving the carrier greater exposure to growing demand for long-haul leisure and business travel.

ALK’s Share Price Performance

ALK’s shares have declined 32.4% in the past three months compared with the Transportation - Airline industry’s 0.3% fall.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ALK’s Zacks Rank

ALK currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Stocks to Consider

Investors interested in the Zacks Transportation sector may consider Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. EXPD and Seanergy Maritime Holdings SHIP as well. 

Expeditors currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

EXPD has an expected earnings growth rate of 28.6% for 2026.  The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 17.15%.

Seanergy Maritime Holdings currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

SHIP has an expected earnings growth rate of more than 100% for the current year. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 38%.

Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here

The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research