Alaska Airlines is launching its first-ever transatlantic flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Athens (ATH) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in May 2027, using Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Carry-ons are free on all fare classes. Checked bag fees start at $45 for the first bag, with Business Class receiving two free checked bags.

Alaska Airlines just made Pacific Northwest travel history. On August 20, 2026, the Seattle-based carrier announced two brand-new European routes launching in summer 2027  nonstop flights from Seattle to Athens and Paris. For travelers based in the Pacific Northwest, this is a genuine shift: no more connections through JFK, LAX, or Chicago just to reach Europe.

What Are Alaska Airlines’ New Transatlantic Routes From Seattle?

Alaska Airlines will operate two seasonal nonstop routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Europe beginning in May 2027. The Seattle-Athens route launches May 12, 2027, and the Seattle-Paris route launches May 25, 2027. Both routes run through October 2027 and are operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Seattle to Athens (SEA–ATH): What Travelers Need to Know

The Seattle-Athens route is historic on multiple levels. It marks the longest route Alaska Airlines has ever flown, and it’s the first and only nonstop flight from the U.S. West Coast to Greece.

The flight number AS196 is a deliberate nod to Athens hosting the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Return flights depart Athens on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Seattle to Paris CDG (SEA–CDG): What Travelers Need to Know

The Seattle-Paris route makes Alaska Airlines the first oneworld member to operate a nonstop flight between the U.S. West Coast and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. It also unlocks a compelling same-day connection between Honolulu and Paris via Seattle  a route pairing that currently requires an overnight connection.

The flight number AS136 reportedly references the number of museums in Paris. Return flights from CDG depart Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Introductory round-trip Main Cabin fares started at $999 at launch.

By summer 2027, Alaska Airlines will serve seven intercontinental destinations from Seattle (London, Reykjavik, Rome, Seoul, Tokyo, Athens, and Paris), with plans to add at least five more intercontinental routes by 2030.

What Is the Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 Cabin Configuration?

Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 aircraft  inherited through the September 2024 merger with Hawaiian Airlines  features three cabin classes across 300 seats.

Business Class features lie-flat beds in a 1-2-1 configuration, meaning every passenger has direct aisle access  a meaningful advantage on an 11–12 hour flight. Premium Class offers noticeably more legroom (36″ vs. 31″) but sits in the same 3-3-3 layout as Main Cabin with no extra width. At 17.1″, the Premium Class seat is actually slightly narrower than on Alaska’s Airbus A330s.

What Is Alaska Airlines’ Baggage Allowance for Transatlantic Flights?

Alaska Airlines transatlantic baggage allowance varies by fare class. All passengers  including those on Saver fares  receive one free carry-on bag (22″ x 14″ x 9″) plus one free personal item. Checked bag fees start at $45 for the first bag in Main Cabin. Business Class passengers receive two free checked bags.

Alaska Airlines Carry-On Baggage: What’s Allowed?

Every passenger on Alaska Airlines  regardless of fare class  gets:

• 1 carry-on bag: Max size 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (handles and wheels included)
• 1 personal item: Must fit under the seat ahead (purse, laptop bag, small backpack)
• No weight limit on carry-ons (but passengers must lift bags overhead without crew assistance)

This is a genuine differentiator. Unlike American, Delta, or United, Alaska does not restrict overhead bin access on its Saver (basic economy) fare. That free carry-on applies on the Athens and Paris routes too.

Alaska Airlines Main Cabin Baggage: Checked Bag Fees and Rules

Alaska Airlines Main Cabin checked bag fees (as of April 10, 2026) are:

Each standard checked bag must weigh 50 lbs or less and measure no more than 62 linear inches (length + width + height combined). Alaska dropped the $5 prepay discount in 2026, so there is no longer a saving for adding bags before arriving at the airport.

For a family of four each checking one bag in Main Cabin, that’s $360 in checked bag fees round-trip  enough to factor into your ticket comparison when weighing Alaska against Delta or Air France on the Paris route.

Alaska Airlines Basic Saver Baggage: What’s Different?

Alaska Airlines Saver fare passengers receive the same carry-on and personal item allowance as all other fare classes. However, Saver fares do not include free checked bags. Checked bag fees apply at the same rates as standard Main Cabin ($45 first bag, $55 second). Saver fares also come with seat assignment restrictions and a more restrictive cancellation policy. On a long transatlantic haul, the inability to choose your seat in advance is worth weighing against the fare savings.

Alaska Airlines Business Class Baggage: What’s Included?

Business Class passengers on the SEA-ATH and SEA-CDG routes receive two free checked bags, each up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches. This applies to the 34-seat lie-flat cabin on the Boeing 787-9. First Class passengers on domestic routes also receive two free checked bags under the same policy.

What Is the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Baggage Benefit  and What Are Its Limits?

Eligible Atmos Rewards Visa cardholders receive one free first checked bag for themselves plus up to six companions traveling on the same reservation. This benefit applies to airfare purchased with the card on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines operated flights only.

This is a critical limitation that most travel blogs overlook. The Atmos Rewards credit card free bag benefit does not apply to oneworld partner flights. If you’re connecting from Seattle to Athens via a oneworld carrier  or continuing onward from Paris on British Airways or Iberia  standard bag fees apply from the connection point. The benefit is exclusively for itineraries operated by Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines.

Additional eligibility rules:

• Airfare must be purchased directly with the Atmos Rewards Visa card (not through a third-party agency)
• The cardholder must be traveling on the reservation
• Benefit cannot be combined with other free bag allowances
• Atmos Rewards number must be in the reservation before check-in  no retroactive refunds

Atmos Elite Status bag allowances (updated 2026):

Note: Atmos Silver status was reduced from two free bags to one in the 2026 program update  a change that caught many frequent flyers off guard.

How Does Alaska Airlines Compare to Competitors on Transatlantic Baggage?

Alaska vs. Delta and Air France on the Paris CDG Route

Delta already operates nonstop flights between Seattle and Paris CDG as part of its transatlantic joint venture with Air France. Here’s how the key baggage policies compare for Main Cabin passengers:

Delta’s SkyTeam partnership with Air France offers passengers extensive onward connectivity across Europe, which Alaska’s oneworld Paris operation cannot yet match at the same scale. However, Alaska’s Paris route is the first oneworld-operated West Coast nonstop to CDG  giving Avios, Asia Miles, and other oneworld currency holders a new redemption option from Seattle.

Alaska vs. Aegean Airlines on the Athens Route

There is currently no airline  including Aegean  operating a nonstop flight between Seattle and Athens. Alaska will be the only carrier on this route. Aegean Airlines, a Star Alliance member, connects U.S. travelers to Athens via European hubs, typically with at least one stop.

Alaska’s carry-on policy is notably more generous  no weight limit and it’s free on all fares  compared to Aegean’s 8 kg limit in economy.

What Should You Know About Sports Equipment and Special Baggage on Alaska’s Transatlantic Routes?

Sports equipment (golf clubs, skis, snowboards) counts as a standard checked bag on Alaska Airlines, provided it stays within standard size and weight limits. Properly packaged equipment under 100 lbs avoids oversized fees in most cases, though specific equipment types have their own handling requirements.

Small musical instruments that fit within carry-on dimensions (22″ x 14″ x 9″) travel in the cabin at no extra charge. Larger instruments may need to be checked or require an additional seat purchase.

Items exceeding 62 linear inches but under 115 linear inches are considered oversized and incur additional fees. Alaska Airlines does not accept bags exceeding 100 lbs.

Families traveling with infants should note that strollers, car seats, and breast pumps travel free and do not count against standard baggage allowances  a practical benefit for the nearly 12-hour Athens flight.

How Can You Pack Smart and Avoid Checked Bag Fees on Alaska’s Transatlantic Flights?

The most reliable ways to avoid checked bag fees on the SEA-ATH and SEA-CDG routes:

• Book Business Class  Two free checked bags included automatically
• Hold an Atmos Rewards Visa card  One free first bag for you plus up to six companions (Alaska/Hawaiian operated legs only)
• Achieve MVP Gold status  Two free checked bags
• Pack within carry-on dimensions  Alaska’s free carry-on allowance applies even on Saver fares, and there’s no weight limit
• Compare total trip cost including bags  A Main Cabin fare plus $90 round-trip in checked bag fees may exceed the cost of a discounted Premium Class fare that includes more legroom

For couples traveling together with one Alaska Visa cardholder, the credit card benefit saves 180onaround-trip(45 × 2 passengers × 2 directions)  nearly double the card’s $95 annual fee on a single transatlantic trip.

Why Do Alaska’s Seattle-Athens and Seattle-Paris Routes Matter for Pacific Northwest Travelers?

Before these routes, Pacific Northwest travelers flying to Europe faced an obligatory connection  most commonly through JFK, LAX, Chicago O’Hare, or a European hub. Nonstop service to Athens and Paris directly from Seattle eliminates at least 2–4 hours of travel time each way and removes the risk of missed connections and split-checked baggage.

The Athens route is particularly significant. No U.S. carrier has ever operated a nonstop from Seattle to Greece. Travelers previously had to connect through at least one European hub  typically London, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam  adding cost and complexity. Alaska’s seasonal 3x-weekly service won’t satisfy every schedule, but it represents a genuine new option for direct access to the eastern Mediterranean from the West Coast.

The Paris route takes on a different character. Delta already holds the market, so Alaska’s arrival introduces meaningful competition on pricing and loyalty currency redemption. Travelers accumulating Avios, Asia Miles, or Cathay Pacific points now have a new way to deploy those currencies on a U.S. West Coast-to-Paris itinerary within the oneworld ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SEA-ATH route really the longest Alaska Airlines has ever flown?
Yes. The Seattle-Athens route at approximately 6,000 miles (9,700 km) is confirmed by Alaska Airlines to be the longest route in the carrier’s history. The eastbound flight is blocked at 11 hours and 50 minutes.

Does Alaska Airlines charge for carry-ons on Saver fares to Athens and Paris?
No. Unlike most U.S. carriers’ basic economy fares, Alaska’s Saver fare includes one free carry-on (22″ x 14″ x 9″) and one personal item on all routes, including the new transatlantic services to Athens and Paris.

Does the Atmos Rewards Visa free bag benefit apply on the Athens and Paris routes?
Yes, but only if your itinerary is marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines. The free checked bag benefit does not apply to oneworld partner flights. If any leg of your journey is operated by a partner carrier, standard bag fees apply for that segment.

How many passengers can share one Alaska Visa cardholder’s free bag benefit?
One eligible Atmos Rewards Visa cardholder covers themselves plus up to six companions on the same reservation  for a total of seven passengers each receiving one free first checked bag.

What changed for Atmos Silver members’ baggage benefits in 2026?
Atmos Silver members were reduced from two free checked bags to one effective 2026. MVP Gold and above continue to receive two free bags, while MVP Gold 75K and 100K retain three free bags.

Will Alaska’s Boeing 787-9 on the Athens route have lie-flat seats?
Yes. The 787-9’s Business Class cabin features 34 seats in a 1-2-1 all-aisle-access layout with lie-flat beds measuring 78 inches (198 cm) long  well-suited for the nearly 12-hour overnight flight to Athens.

Why is the Seattle-Paris route significant for oneworld frequent flyers?
Alaska Airlines will be the first oneworld member airline to operate a nonstop flight between the U.S. West Coast and Paris CDG. This opens up Avios, Asia Miles, and other oneworld point redemptions on a direct SEA-CDG itinerary that previously didn’t exist within the alliance.

What is the checked bag fee for a family of four in Main Cabin on the Athens route round-trip?
At $45 per first bag per direction, a family of four each checking one bag pays $360 round-trip in checked bag fees. An Alaska Visa cardholder on the reservation would eliminate that cost entirely for the family (up to seven passengers total).

Can I check sports equipment on the Seattle-Athens or Seattle-Paris flights?
Yes. Sports equipment counts as a standard checked bag on Alaska Airlines within normal size (62 linear inches) and weight (50 lbs) limits. Oversized items (63–115 linear inches) incur an additional fee, and Alaska does not accept any bag exceeding 100 lbs.

Is there a same-day connection from Honolulu to Paris via Seattle on Alaska Airlines?
Yes. Alaska Airlines specifically scheduled AS136 (SEA-CDG, departing 17:25) to enable same-day connections from Honolulu (HNL) arriving into Seattle  creating what would be a previously unavailable single-alliance same-day HNL-SEA-CDG itinerary within the oneworld network.