Alaska Airlines is kicking off what it calls a "new era of wide body international flying" with a new, nonstop route from Seattle to Tokyo.

The route, which will be operated by Hawaiian Airlines' long-haul Airbus A330-200, is set to transform Seattle into one of the top global gateways on the West Coast.?

Alaska Airlines' Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) hub already serves 104 nonstop destinations across North America.

The new Tokyo Narita route, along with a newly announced nonstop Seoul Incheon route, are the first two long-haul flights the carrier is adding from Seattle. The plan is to add a total 12 long-haul routes.

The carrier said in a statement that it has seen significant interest in nonstop flights to Tokyo. In 2024, about 400 passengers traveled between Seattle and Tokyo in each direction every day, which the airline said is an indication of the popularity of the route. What's more, half of the tickets sold in the U.S. for flights to Narita originated from more than 80 cities outside of Seattle.

Also noteworthy with regard to the new route: Seattle is the closest connection point between the continental U.S. and Tokyo ¨C 7 percent closer than San Francisco and 13 percent closer than Los Angeles.

Hawaiian Airlines, which will operate the route, has been serving the Tokyo market for nearly 15 years.

Onboard service for the new route will initially mirror Hawaiian's hospitality program while Alaska develops a comprehensive, long-haul experience that will be deployed from Seattle in the future.?

Amenities on the aircraft include three classes of service: Business Class with full-flat seating, Extra Comfort and Main Cabin.

The A330 aircraft also features free Wi-Fi on all flights to and from Japan. In addition, all seats in Business and Extra Comfort are equipped with power outlets.

Guests in all classes of service receive an amenity kit featuring the Hawai?i lifestyle brand Noho Home. In Business Class, travelers are provided full bedding in the full-flat seats, including a mattress pad, duvet, pillows and even slippers.

The new flights between Seattle and Seoul are scheduled to begin on September 12.

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