These US carriers only tempted European expansion, according to its CEO

• Alaska Airlines has teased expansion to Europe.
• The executive announced that Europe was “on the radar for 2026”.
• Airlines have expanded with new routes and partnerships to provide European service improvements.

The European vacation will soon be easier than the west coast.

The new Alaska Airlines executive has confirmed that the airline is planning to grow to Europe over the next two years.

“Europe is definitely on the radar for 2026,” Alaska Airlines chief executive officer Ben Minicucci said in the new industry event, according to travel news sites Shift. Comments are made during Lunch a series of flights At the Wings Club in New York City on March 27, 2025.

The airline had previously said it would add 12 additional international markets by 2030, including Europe, in January 2025 Investor Income Call.

“Yes, it means, Europe, we haven’t started it yet,” Alaska Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison said when asked about the seasonal flight route.

Alaska Airlines refused to give additional comments when asked by Travel + free timeBut executives have determined the planned expansion mostly from its hub at Seattle -Tacoma International Airport.

The airline has previously announced International Development in Asia, with new services from Seattle to Seoul, South Korea, departed in September 2025. Alaska also announced Daily service from Seattle to Tokyo (NRT) begins on May 12, 2025.

Seattle is the main hub for Delta Air Lines, which operates services to Amsterdam (AMS) and Paris (CDG) from the airport. Delta also offers services to Seoul from Seattle.

Both Executive Comments Alaska Airlines came as airlines added a new route, or partnered with airlines to offer flights throughout Europe.

For example, Southwest Airlines The recently launched a connection to Europe through a commercial agreement with Icelandair. Announced in January 2025, both of the airline signed the agreement to offer connections to destinations such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, and Prague of Reykjavik hub from Icerandair.

American Airlines previously announced New routes to Europe launched this spring, including services to Athens, Edinburgh, and Milan.