Alaska, Hawaiian Plan Seattle–Osaka, Papeete Flights

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines (AS) and Hawaiian Airlines plan year-round nonstop flights from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Osaka Kansai (KIX) and Papeete (PPT), beginning in May and June 2027. Both routes are on sale, subject to government approval.

Hawaiian-branded Airbus A330-200s are scheduled to fly Seattle–Osaka four times weekly from May 14 and Seattle–Papeete three times weekly from June 11. Return services are scheduled to begin May 15 and June 12, respectively.

The additions would take the combined airline's announced Seattle long-haul intercontinental network to nine destinations. They follow the Athens and Paris routes planned for May 2027, extending the expansion beyond Europe into Japan and the South Pacific.

Two Gateways to Osaka and Tahiti

Seattle departures to Osaka are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights to Papeete would depart on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Hawaiian plans to retain its Honolulu services to both destinations. That would give passengers a choice of gateways within the combined network, with the Seattle flights removing the Honolulu stop for travelers using those services. Alaska says the Tahiti schedule would also allow some U.S. travelers to reach Papeete with one connection instead of two or more.

Seattle–Papeete has a recent precedent. Air Tahiti Nui announced the suspension of its twice-weekly nonstop service effective January 31, 2026, offering affected passengers alternative travel through Los Angeles. Hawaiian's planned service would put three weekly departures into a market previously served twice weekly by the Tahitian carrier.

A330s Add to Seattle Expansion

The new routes give Hawaiian's A330 fleet a role in Seattle's international growth alongside Alaska's planned Boeing 787-9 services to Athens and Paris. Alaska now says it aims to serve at least 15 long-haul intercontinental destinations from Seattle by 2030.

For the Osaka and Papeete flights, the airline lists lie-flat business-class seating and complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi for Atmos Rewards members. The A330 cabin overhaul is scheduled to begin in 2028, after both routes are due to open, according to the airline.