Alaska Airlines is planning to start its first flights to Europe from Seattle, which will add Rome as a destination.

A slew of new nonstop routes around the world, including one to Rome, is turning SEA into a true global gateway. Why it matters: Seattle is quickly shedding its status as a secondary international hub with the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport positioning itself as a serious player in the global aviation network.

Alaska Airlines will launch nonstop flights between Seattle and Rome next year, directly connecting the two cities for the first time, according to the airline.