Alaska Airlines plots premium economy, luxe Seattle lounge
Alaska Airlines is formally a world provider. Last week, the Seattle-based airline launched its first European service when it flew nonstop to Rome.
The aircraft it is utilizing for the route is a virtually brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that its merger accomplice Hawaiian Airlines debuted in 2024. The plane options luxe personal suites in enterprise class together with an all-new “soft” product.
But as you stroll from the Suites again to the primary cabin, it virtually feels such as you’re skipping one thing — particularly, a cabin that has develop into a staple of any true globe-trotting airline.
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SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
“It’s the true piece that’s missing,” Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci instructed me.
He’s speaking about premium financial system. But it is coming!
A real ‘premium’ cabin
Confusingly, Alaska’s 787 seat map does present seats branded as “Premium.” However, these are actually simply coach seats with further legroom, the moniker it makes use of for those self same seats on its smaller Boeing 737s.
This aircraft doesn’t presently have the international-style premium financial system cabins which have develop into a staple on main international airways over the previous decade and supply a real middle-ground between costly lie-flat, business-class seats and coach. Typically, the seats are in the midst of the aircraft and roughly resemble home first-class recliners.
Hawaiian, which really ordered these Dreamliners earlier than Alaska acquired the airline in 2024, did not decide to put in that mid-tier cabin.
But as TPG first reported in January, Alaska — whose livery now adorns the surface of those new twin-aisle jets — desires the premium financial system product, which you have been a boon for major carriers.
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Alaska plans to start out outfitting these recliners on its 787s starting in 2028, Minicucci mentioned, chatting with me from central Rome.
“I think that’s really going to enhance the product. That’s one of the most popular products on long-haul, it’s one of the most profitable products on long-haul,” he mentioned. “And so we’re excited.”
Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s due for premium financial system, too
Those aren’t the one Alaska Air Group plans getting spacious mid-cabin recliners. The provider already mentioned it could give Hawaiian’s older Airbus A330s an on-board makeover, which incorporates introducing new business-class suites (to exchange the getting old lie-flat product up entrance) and including premium financial system for the primary time.
Those retrofits are additionally slated to start in 2028, the provider confirmed.
Breadcrumbs about an ultra-fancy Seattle lounge
Meanwhile, Alaska can also be planning a giant improve on the bottom at its newly introduced international hub.
The provider is planning an enormous, 40,000-square-foot premium lounge for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
It could be on the airport’s C Concourse and would doubtless serve some mixture of business-class flyers and maybe high-level elite standing members of the Atmos Rewards loyalty program it shares with Hawaiian.
This would not be simply one other Alaska Lounge: It could be a minimize above, extra paying homage to American Airlines’ Flagship Lounge or United Airlines’ Polaris Lounge.
That mentioned, Alaska is shying away from any comparisons to its opponents, together with to the swanky Delta One Lounge that opened at SeaTac final yr (and won a TPG Award for greatest new airline lounge in 2025).
Minicucci strongly emphasised a Pacific Northwest ethos for the membership, which might span a number of ranges and supply bathe amenities.
“If you’re going to charge for the product we want the entire end-to-end experience to be fantastic,” he mentioned.
It would additionally actually full the premium “ground” expertise for Alaska at its dwelling base; The provider final week unveiled a brand new high-end check-in foyer on the airport, accessible to Suites flyers and top-tier Atmos Rewards Titanium elite members.
The provider is anticipating this outpost to debut throughout the subsequent two years.
More information from Alaska’s international push
I obtained updates on just a few different Alaska Airlines-related tidbits whereas in Rome final week. Here’s a fast rundown.
Starlink is coming to the 787… however not immediately
Premium financial system wasn’t the one omission on Alaska’s Dreamliners.
Right now, the plans haven’t got the Starlink Wi-Fi the provider has promised for his or her jets.
In reality, there is not any Wi-Fi in any respect.
That doubtless will not change for just a few months; The provider opted to maintain these plans in service relatively than pull them out for web set up throughout the peak summer season season, executives mentioned.
Alaska plans to have the quick satellite tv for pc service on its wide-body plans by fall, which will likely be free to Atmos members.
For now, obtain these motion pictures, reveals and podcasts earlier than you climb on board.
A bit of longer till Atmos alternative accrual begins
Atmos Rewards members must wait only a bit longer for one of the crucial attention-grabbing choices within the nine-month-old loyalty program, which bridges the separate customer-facing Alaska and Hawaiian airline manufacturers.
As introduced final summer season, Alaska and Hawaiian’s loyalty members will finally have the ability to choose how they earn points and status: by cash spent, 1000’s flown or segments flown.
Lie-flat upgrades, precious factors: Why the newest US airline loyalty program won a TPG Award in 2026
For now, members are nonetheless incomes solely primarily based on 1000’s flown. Expect “accrual choice” to start out later in 2026 — and sure align extra intently with the beginning of the 2027 standing yr — in response to the corporate’s loyalty chief, Brett Catlin.
By the numbers: 100,000 Summit playing cards and 100 San Diego departures
As a part of the Atmos launch final yr, Alaska additionally unveiled a brand new premium bank card that had some pretty distinctive and precious advantages — and it has confirmed fashionable: The provider not too long ago eclipsed 100,000 flyers carrying its Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card.
Elsewhere, Alaska late final month additionally celebrated one other numerical milestone: 100 each day departures out of San Diego International Airport (SAN).
These two issues are extra associated than they sound.
Ace I’ve reported, Airlines are more and more utilizing loyalty and card sign-ups to drive selections on the place they fly.
And the Atmos issue has been a key consideration as Alaska has doubled down on San Diego.
“We’re seeing really good passenger growth, but what we also need to see is, ‘Are we seeing the loyalty program [growing]are we seeing the card — both members and spend — improve?'” Alaska’s high community planner, Kirsten Amrine, mentioned. “We’re really encouraged by what we’re seeing.”
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