What Happened
Historic Link Between Alaska And Japan Revived With New Nonstop Service
Alaska Airlines will begin nonstop service between Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Tokyo Narita on May 13, 2027, using a Boeing 737 MAX 8. The eight-hour flight will operate daily through early September before returning three times a week in January 2028. This route revives a historic link between Alaska and Japan, once used by airlines flying between Asia, North America, and Europe. The decision to use the 737 MAX 8, rather than a widebody aircraft, may indicate the airline’s trust in the plane’s capabilities for long-haul flights. According to Air Data News, the 737 MAX 8 is the only 737 in Alaska’s fleet capable of operating the route.