Alaska Airlines Expanding First-Class and Premium Class Seats

Alaska Airlines has announced plans to increase the number of first-class seats on its Boeing 737-800 aircraft and add more Premium Class extra-legroom seats on its 737-900ER and 737-9 Max planes. This decision comes in response to the growing demand for premium products within the airline industry.

In its second-quarter results, Alaska reported significant year-over-year revenue increases of 8% for first class and 6% for its extra-legroom seats, outperforming the overall revenue increase of just 2%. This data clearly indicates a shift in consumer preferences towards premium seating options.

The airline stated that the retrofits on more than 200 aircraft will provide additional upgrade opportunities for elite members of its Mileage Plan frequent flyer program. These improvements aim to enhance the overall passenger experience by offering added comfort and benefits to travelers.

Details of Retrofit

On its fleet of 59 737-800s, Alaska will increase the total number of first-class seats from 12 to 16, while maintaining 30 extra-legroom seats. The retrofits will also include new seatback device holders with built-in cup holders in both the economy and first-class cabins. Conversions of these planes are scheduled to begin in early 2025 and be completed by summer 2026.

For its fleet of 79 737-900s and 80 737-9 Max planes, Alaska will keep the first-class seat count at 16 but increase the number of extra-legroom seats from 24 to 30. The retrofit process for the 737-900ERs will include an interior refresh and the addition of device holders in the main cabin. The retrofits for these aircraft are scheduled to start in the fall of this year and be completed by summer 2026.

Meeting Passenger Expectations

Alaska Airlines’ decision to expand its premium seating options demonstrates its commitment to meeting passenger expectations and adapting to changing trends in the airline industry. By investing in these upgrades, the airline aims to provide a more comfortable and personalized travel experience for its customers.