Alaska Airlines to upgrade aircraft cabins with premium suites — CNBC

In the United States, Alaska Airlines has announced a major upgrade of the cabins of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines aircraft. The carrier plans to add premium suites, premium economy seats and open new airport lounges. Alaska Airlines, which completed its merger with Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024, will continue to operate the carriers as separate brands, CNBC Top News reports.

New suites on Boeing and Airbus aircraft

Alaska Airlines' Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft will receive 34 Aurora suites with seats that recline to a fully flat position. Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft are also expected to feature 35 seats in the new Premium Reserve class from 2028.

At least 25 Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft, whose certification has not yet been completed, are planned to be equipped with 12 Aurora suites and premium economy seats. This is intended to strengthen the carrier's competition on lucrative transcontinental routes.

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Hawaiian Airlines will reconfigure 24 Airbus A330 aircraft used on flights to Hawaii, Asia and Oceania. From 2028, each of them will have 22 new first-class suites with sliding doors and 28 premium economy seats. The total number of seats on these aircraft will decrease from 278 to 254.

Lounges and loyalty program

Alaska Airlines also plans to open a 41,000-square-foot lounge at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, with a separate area for Aurora suite passengers. Hawaiian Airlines is building a lounge of nearly 13,000 square feet in Terminal 1 at Honolulu Airport; it is scheduled to open in early 2028.

In early 2027, Alaska Airlines plans to launch a rewards debit card for members of the Atmos loyalty program. Program members will also be able to choose how miles are earned: by flight distance, ticket price or the number of flight segments completed.