Alaska Airlines has launched a daily seasonal nonstop service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Keflavík International Airport (KEF), operating through 8 September 2026. The service — which departs Seattle at 18:35 and arrives in Reykjavík at 09:00 the following morning — is timed directly around the total solar eclipse that will cross Iceland on 12 August.
The First Direct Route from the US West Coast
This is a significant milestone for travellers based on the US West Coast. Until now, there was no direct scheduled service from any West Coast gateway to Iceland — travellers from Seattle, Portland, the Bay Area, and Los Angeles have had to connect through east coast hubs or fly via a European hub city to reach Keflavík. Alaska Airlines’ new nonstop changes that for Seattleites specifically, removing an additional three to five hours of total travel time compared to the current best alternatives.
The return service departs Keflavík in the morning and arrives back in Seattle the same day, allowing for clean outbound and inbound scheduling without the awkward overnight layovers that often come with transatlantic connections.
Eclipse Timing and Demand
The August 2026 total solar eclipse path crosses northern Spain and Portugal before passing over Iceland, where totality will be visible from Reykjavík and much of the south and west of the country. The eclipse has generated significant demand for Iceland travel in the July–August window, and this route appears to have been designed specifically to capture that market.
Alaska Airlines is operating the service through 8 September, which means it covers the eclipse date of 12 August plus the weeks before and after — enough runway for travellers who want to combine the eclipse with a broader Iceland trip, including the Midnight Sun that extends into August.
What Travellers Should Know
Booking: The route is ticketable directly through Alaska Airlines. Mileage Plan miles accrue on the service and Oneworld partner redemptions apply.
Connections: From Seattle, Alaska Airlines connects from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, and numerous West Coast and mountain-state cities — making this nonstop useful well beyond Seattle itself.
Planning Around the Eclipse and Beyond
If you are arriving for the solar eclipse, Reykjavík is a strong base — but cloud cover is a genuine risk in August. The south coast, including Vík and Höfn, offers alternative viewing positions with slightly different weather patterns.
Beyond the eclipse, August remains one of the best months for accessible conditions in the highlands and on the ring road. Our Reykjavík city guide covers where to base yourself, and our practical guide to Iceland explains the Keflavík-to-Reykjavík transfer. For things to do during a summer visit, see our Iceland activities section.
The Alaska Airlines service is the most meaningful expansion of US West Coast access to Iceland in years — and for travellers timing a trip around the eclipse, it removes a significant connection hurdle.