Alaska Airlines is making some big leaps into long-distance flying, announcing new routes from its Seattle hub to London and Iceland starting early next year.
The airline, previously known for its all-737 fleet with an Inuit face on the tail, is embracing wide-body flying and a new livery, at least for its widebodies, since acquiring Hawaiian Airlines earlier this year. Hawaiian had a number of 787s and A330s in its fleet, ferrying vacationers to the islands from the mainland U.S. and various origins in Asia.
Alaska has already sent some of those planes, in Hawaiian livery, to new destinations, including Tokyo, flying out of Seattle, and has several more 787s on order. For flights starting next year, the 787s will fly in Alaska colors with a new striped tail design, while the A330s will cover the ongoing Hawaiian routes.
