Alaska Airways is formally a worldwide service. Final week, the Seattle-based airline launched its first European service when it flew nonstop to Rome.
The airplane it is utilizing for the route is a virtually brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that its merger accomplice Hawaiian Airways debuted in 2024. The plane options luxe non-public suites in enterprise class together with an all-new “soft” product.
However as you stroll from the Suites again to the principle cabin, it virtually feels such as you’re skipping one thing — particularly, a cabin that has change into a staple of any true globe-trotting airline.
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SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
“It is the true piece that is lacking,” Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci informed me.
He is speaking about premium economic system. Nevertheless it’s coming!
A real ‘premium’ cabin
Confusingly, Alaska’s 787 seat map does present seats branded as “Premium.” Nevertheless, these are actually simply coach seats with additional legroom, the moniker it makes use of for those self same seats on its smaller Boeing 737s.
This airplane doesn’t at present have the international-style premium economic system cabins which have change into a staple on main world airways over the previous decade and supply a real middle-ground between costly lie-flat, business-class seats and coach. Sometimes, the seats are in the midst of the airplane and roughly resemble home first-class recliners.
Hawaiian, which really ordered these Dreamliners earlier than Alaska acquired the airline in 2024, did not choose to put in that mid-tier cabin.
However as TPG first reported in January, Alaska — whose livery now adorns the surface of those new twin-aisle jets — needs the premium economic system product, which has 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 stated, talking to me from central Rome.
“I feel that is actually going to boost the product. That is probably the most standard merchandise on long-haul, it is probably the most worthwhile merchandise on long-haul,” he stated. “And so we’re excited.”
Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s due for premium economic system, too
These aren’t the one Alaska Air Group planes getting spacious mid-cabin recliners. The service already stated it could give Hawaiian’s older Airbus A330s an on-board makeover, which incorporates introducing new business-class suites (to switch the ageing lie-flat product up entrance) and including premium economic system for the primary time.
These retrofits are additionally slated to start in 2028, the service confirmed.
Breadcrumbs about an ultra-fancy Seattle lounge
In the meantime, Alaska can also be planning an enormous improve on the bottom at its newly annointed world hub.
The service is planning an enormous, 40,000-square-foot premium lounge for Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA).
It could be on the airport’s C Concourse and would possible 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 lower above, extra paying homage to American Airways’ Flagship Lounge or United Airways’ Polaris Lounge.
That stated, Alaska is shying away from any comparisons to its rivals, together with to the swanky Delta One Lounge that opened at SeaTac final 12 months (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 are going to cost for the product we would like your entire end-to-end expertise to be improbable,” he stated.
It could additionally actually full the premium “floor” expertise for Alaska at its residence base; the service final week unveiled a brand new high-end check-in foyer on the airport, obtainable to Suites flyers and top-tier Atmos Rewards Titanium elite members.
The service is anticipating this outpost to debut inside the subsequent two years.
Extra information from Alaska’s world push
I acquired updates on just a few different Alaska Airways-related tidbits whereas in Rome final week. This is a fast rundown.
Starlink is coming to the 787 … however not straight away
Premium economic system wasn’t the one omission on Alaska’s Dreamliners.
Proper now, the planes haven’t got the Starlink Wi-Fi the service has promised for its jets.
In truth, there is not any Wi-Fi in any respect.
That possible will not change for just a few months; the service opted to maintain these planes in service slightly than pull them out for web set up in the course of the peak summer time season, executives stated.
Alaska plans to have the quick satellite tv for pc service on its wide-body planes by fall, which can be free to Atmos members.
For now, obtain these films, exhibits and podcasts earlier than you climb on board.
Somewhat longer till Atmos selection accrual begins
Atmos Rewards members should wait only a bit longer for one of many extra fascinating choices within the nine-month-old loyalty program, which bridges the separate customer-facing Alaska and Hawaiian airline manufacturers.
As introduced final summer time, Alaska and Hawaiian’s loyalty members will finally be capable of choose how they earn points and status: by cash spent, miles 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 miles flown. Count on “selection accrual” to start out later in 2026 — and sure align extra intently with the beginning of the 2027 standing 12 months — in accordance with 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 12 months, Alaska additionally unveiled a brand new premium bank card that had some pretty distinctive and precious advantages — and it has confirmed standard: The service just lately eclipsed 100,000 flyers carrying its Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card.
Learn extra: Why the Atmos Rewards Summit was our favorite new personal credit card last year
Elsewhere, Alaska late final month additionally celebrated one other numerical milestone: 100 each day departures out of San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN).
These two issues are extra associated than they sound.
As I’ve reported, airways 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 actually good passenger progress, however what we additionally have to see is, ‘Are we seeing the loyalty program [growing], are we seeing the cardboard — each members and spend — enhance?'” Alaska’s prime community planner, Kirsten Amrine, stated. “We’re actually inspired by what we’re seeing.”
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