Alaska Airlines Starts Seattle-to-London Flights

Alaska Airlines launched its Seattle-to-London route on Thursday as jet fuel prices rose after the Iran war. An Alaska Airlines executive told Business Insider that most carriers are covering only 50 to 70 percent of the increased fuel costs. Fuel ranks as an airline's second-largest expense after labor.

The London flight follows last month's launch of Alaska's first transatlantic service to Rome. A route to Iceland begins next week. Alaska plans to reach 12 international destinations from Seattle by 2030 and will announce additional routes later this year.

The airline is adding business-class suites with sliding doors and lie-flat beds on its Boeing 787 aircraft. It also plans to introduce premium economy cabins on long-haul flights by 2028. Alaska leases its London slot from American Airlines to avoid Heathrow capacity limits.

The carrier's Seattle hub connects to 105 destinations. Andrew Harrison, Alaska's chief commercial officer, said the airline is focusing on what it can control during industry challenges.