Air TransportAlaska Airlines’ first Boeing 787-9 prepares for inaugural transpacific flight on Thursday
Alaska Airlines presented its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Seattle ahead of the aircraft’s inaugural transpacific service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Seoul, South Korea, on January 8.
The event, which took place in a hangar near Seattle, included invited travel industry influencers and showcased the airline’s entry into international widebody operations.
The new 787-9 features a blue and green tail inspired by the northern lights and is scheduled to begin service to Seoul on Thursday. Alaska Airlines has outlined plans to utilize the Dreamliner on further long-haul routes including Seattle–Rome on April 28 and Seattle–London on May 21.
The delivery and presentation of the 787-9 follow Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in 2024. Several 787s originally destined for Hawaiian have already joined Alaska’s fleet and will receive updated livery.
This widebody expansion was reinforced with Alaska’s order for five additional Boeing 787-10s as part of a larger order of 110 Boeing aircraft announced on the same day.
Alaska Airlines built its network around domestic and regional routes, mainly on the U.S. West Coast. With the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, it adds widebody aircraft and international service beyond North and Central America for the first time.
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