Alaska Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its premium seating options. This strategic move will add approximately 1.3 million premium seats annually to the airline’s mainline fleet.
The expansion measure responds to current market demands, and will provide customers with increased opportunities for upgrades and premium travel experiences.
Fleet Modifications and Rollout Plan
Beginning in September, Alaska Airlines will commence the installation of additional First Class and Premium Class seating across more than 200 aircraft in its fleet.
The modification program will encompass Boeing 737-900ER, 737-800, and 737 MAX 9 aircraft.
This initiative follows the successful retrofit of the airline’s regional fleet earlier this year. The program added 400,000 Premium Class seats to its Embraer E175 aircraft.
Enhanced First Class Experience
In collaboration with RECARO, Alaska Airlines has further refined its First Class offering. The new First Class seats, to be installed on the Boeing 737-800 fleet, will continue to offer industry-leading legroom. Additional features include:
- Calf rests for improved comfort
- New seatback device holders
- 6-way headrests with neck support
- USB-C charging capabilities
These enhancements aim to provide passengers with ultimate comfort during their journey.
Main Cabin and Premium Class Improvements
Passengers in the Main Cabin and Premium Class of Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-800 fleet will benefit from several upgrades, including:
- New device holders with integrated cup holders
- USB-C charging ports
- 6-way headrests with dedicated neck support
The Boeing 737-900ER fleet will undergo modifications to increase Premium Class capacity by converting six Main Cabin seats.
This change will be accompanied by an interior refresh, introducing modern touches such as device holders to the airline’s core fleet.
Similarly, all Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft will have six additional seats converted to Premium Class, further enhancing the comfort and luxury available to passengers.
Meeting Market Demand
Alaska Airlines’ decision to increase premium seating capacity is driven by growing passenger demand for enhanced travel experiences.
Recent performance data supports this strategic direction, with First Class and Premium Class revenues increasing by 8% and 6% respectively in the most recent quarter.
The First Class load factor reached 71%, marking a 4.3 point increase. This trend represents a significant improvement from historical paid load factors. These were previously in the 40% range for mainline and all-coach regional fleets.
Despite the seating reconfiguration, Alaska Airlines has confirmed that its Boeing fleet will maintain four lavatories per aircraft.
This decision ensures that all passengers, regardless of seating class, will continue to have adequate access to restroom facilities throughout their flights.
About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines, founded in 1932, has grown to become the fifth-largest airline in the United States by passenger traffic.
Headquartered in SeaTac, Washington, the carrier operates a robust network of domestic and international routes, primarily serving the western United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico.
In recent years, Alaska Airlines has made substantial investments in modernizing its fleet and enhancing its onboard product.
The carrier has been at the forefront of adopting new technologies to improve the passenger experience, including being one of the first airlines to introduce in-flight Wi-Fi and mobile check-in capabilities.
This latest expansion of premium seating options aligns with Alaska Airlines’ long-standing tradition of innovation and responsiveness to customer preferences.
As the airline industry continues to evolve, Alaska Airlines appears well-positioned to meet the changing needs of air travelers while maintaining its competitive edge in the market.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
