Alaska Airlines to Increase First Class and Premium Seating Across Its Fleet

Alaska Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its First Class and Premium Class seating, set to begin in September across more than 200 of its aircraft, including models such as the Boeing 737-900ERs, 737-800s, and 737-9s. This expansion will introduce an additional 1.3 million premium seats annually, responding to a surge in customer demand for more luxurious seating options.

The airline’s decision to enhance its premium seating offerings reflects a broader industry trend toward greater demand for high-comfort travel experiences. Alaska Airlines notes a substantial increase in First Class and Premium Class revenues, which have risen by 8% and 6% respectively this quarter. The First Class load factor alone has increased by 4.3 points to 71%.

As part of this upgrade, Alaska Airlines will be working with Recaro Aircraft Seating to introduce the Recaro CL4710 models (now branded as R5) into the First Class sections of its Boeing 737-800s, expanding from 12 to 16 seats per aircraft. These seats will feature enhanced comforts such as a calf rest, a seatback device holder, a 6-way headrest with neck support, and USB-C charging capabilities. The conversions are scheduled to start in early 2025 and are expected to be completed by the summer of 2026.

Additionally, the airline is planning interior refreshes for its Boeing 737-900ER fleet and Boeing 737-9 aircraft. These updates will increase Premium Class seating from 24 to 30 seats by removing six Main Cabin seats. Modern amenities, such as new device holders and USB-C charging, will be added to enhance passenger comfort.

To accommodate these changes, the Main Cabin seat count will be reduced, but the airline reassures that all aircraft will maintain four onboard lavatories to ensure convenience for all passengers.

Furthermore, Alaska Airlines is simplifying the upgrade process. Customers can now pay to upgrade to First or Premium Class up to 50 minutes before departure via the Alaska Airlines website or mobile app, making luxury travel more accessible for its passengers.