Alaska Air Group’s ALK wholly owned subsidiary, Alaska Airlines, is set to enhance its international footprint with the launch of a new nonstop service from Seattle to Reykjavík, Iceland, beginning May 28, 2026. This milestone not only connects travelers to Iceland’s natural wonders but also reinforces Alaska’s role as a global connector from the U.S. West Coast.
Through its expanded partnership with Icelandair (Iceland’s flagship carrier), the airline will offer seamless onward connections to multiple European destinations under a single ticket, underscoring Alaska’s growing ambition to compete in the transatlantic market.
Flights on the new route will be operated by Alaska Airlines’ long-range 737-8 MAX. Flights on the route will have all modern amenities, uplifting the travel experience of passengers.
These investments reflect Alaska’s broader strategy of global growth, following the recent addition of London, Tokyo, and soon Seoul and Rome to its network. Coupled with the launch of the Atmos Rewards program (ALK’s upgraded loyalty program), expanded lounge access and growing partnerships through the oneworld alliance, Alaska Air is working relentlessly to attract additional passengers, which will boost its top line. By pairing network expansion with service innovation, Alaska Airlines is positioning itself as a competitive player in international markets.
ALK’s Zacks Rank
Alaska Air currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to Consider
Investors interested in the Zacks Transportation - Airline industry may consider LATAM Airlines Group LTM and SkyWest SKYW.
LTM currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
LTM has an expected earnings growth rate of 45% for the current year. The company has a mixed earnings surprise history. Its earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters, missed once and met in the remaining one, delivering an average beat of 4.04%.
SKYW currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
SkyWest has an expected earnings growth rate of 28.06% for the current year. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 21.92%.
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Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK): Free Stock Analysis Report SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW): Free Stock Analysis Report LATAM Airlines Group S.A. (LTM): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
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