Alaska Airlines Introduces New Premium Class Layout On First Boeing 737-800, Setting A New Benchmark For Passenger Comfort

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Alaska Airlines has successfully completed nan compartment upgrade for its first Boeing 737-800 narrowbody aircraft, marking a cardinal measurement successful nan airline’s eager fleet modernization plan. The upgraded craft now boasts a premium-heavy cabin, featuring cutting-edge RECARO seats designed to elevate nan wide recreation acquisition for passengers.

This is conscionable nan beginning, arsenic nan hose is group to refurbish a full of 59 Boeing 737s by nan summertime of 2026, responding to a increasing request for much comfortable and premium seating options crossed its fleet. These upgrades are portion of a broader effort by Alaska Airlines to heighten rider comfortableness and streamline services passim its aircraft.

A Closer Look astatine nan Refurbished Boeing 737-800

The Boeing 737-800, identified arsenic N558AS, is nan first craft successful nan fleet to person this caller compartment configuration. The upgraded compartment now features a higher number of premium seats, pinch nan first-class conception expanding to 16 seats, up from 12 successful nan erstwhile configuration. Additionally, some nan premium-class and main compartment seats person been enhanced, pinch RECARO-designed seats providing added comfort.

One of nan notable upgrades crossed each compartment classes is nan preamble of USB-C charging outlets, ensuring that passengers tin enactment connected and powered up passim their flight. The revamped craft offers a much modern and freely environment, aligning pinch nan airline’s committedness to providing an improved recreation acquisition for its passengers.

Previously, this 19-year-old Boeing 737-800 accommodated 159 passengers successful a three-class configuration, consisting of 12 first-class seats, 30 premium-class seats, and 117 economy-class seats. The aircraft’s caller layout includes nan expanded first-class conception and upgraded seating options, making it much appealing to travelers seeking premium comfort.

Alaska Airlines’ Fleet-Wide Modernization

Alaska Airlines presently operates a fleet of 59 Boeing 737-800s, pinch an mean property of 17.3 years. The hose plans to retrofit nan full fleet by nan summertime of 2026, ensuring that each of its 737s are outfitted pinch nan premium-heavy cabins. By nan extremity of 2025, astir of nan airline’s 737-800s will characteristic nan refreshed interiors, offering a accordant and upgraded acquisition for passengers crossed nan full fleet.

The upgrades are not conscionable constricted to seating. Alaska Airlines is besides introducing applicable changes to amended nan rider experience. This includes nan summation of reserved overhead bin placards supra premium people seats, which will make nan boarding process much businesslike and trim nan accent of uncovering abstraction for carry-on luggage. These improvements are aimed astatine streamlining boarding and enhancing nan wide recreation experience.

Further compartment enhancements will see updated bulkheads, caller compartment dividers, leather seating, and refreshed carpeting. Together, these changes are designed to create a much cohesive and comfortable onboard situation for each passengers, whether flying successful system aliases premium classes.

Hawaiian Airlines Fleet Upgrades Following Merger

In summation to upgrading its Boeing 737 fleet, Alaska Airlines is besides focusing connected nan integration of Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet arsenic portion of their merger. Following nan merger, Alaska Airlines plans to heighten Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet of Airbus A330s, which includes 24 A330-200s and 10 A330-300(P2F) aircraft. Although circumstantial upgrades for these craft person not yet been disclosed, Alaska Airlines is moving to align some fleets to guarantee consistency and an elevated acquisition for passengers.

In summation to nan A330s, Hawaiian Airlines operates 4 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will besides beryllium integrated into nan expanded Alaska Airlines network. This merger provides Alaska Airlines pinch opportunities to grow its way offerings, including a caller work to Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN) successful South Korea. Starting September 12, 2025, this caller way will beryllium operated utilizing Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, further diversifying Alaska Airlines’ world offerings.

Conclusion: Enhancing Travel for nan Future

Alaska Airlines’ completion of its first Boeing 737-800 compartment upgrade is an breathtaking measurement guardant successful nan airline’s ongoing efforts to amended nan rider experience. With plans to retrofit its full 737 fleet and merge Hawaiian Airlines’ aircraft, Alaska Airlines is mounting caller standards for comfortableness and convenience crossed its fleet.

By 2026, astir each of Alaska Airlines’ 737-800s will characteristic nan recently upgraded cabins, while nan integration of Hawaiian Airlines’ craft will heighten nan airline’s expertise to service a wider scope of destinations. As Alaska Airlines continues to modernize its fleet and grow its routes, passengers tin expect much premium options, enhanced comfort, and a seamless flying acquisition for years to come.