Alaska Airlines boosts premium cabins

Alaska Airlines wants to tap in to the growing demand for premium passenger yields. The carrier will revamp its interiors to add more first class seats to its 737-800s and more extra legroom seats to its 737-900ERs and MAX 9s. More than 200 aircraft will be refreshed as part of the effort.

When the work is completed, expected by begin next year and complete by Summer 2026 for all three types, all of the aircraft will fly with 16 seats in the first class cabin and 30 “premium” seats. Of note, the MAX 8 fleet is not included in the cabin layout changes. It will retain its smaller 12-seat first class cabin. (As noted in a comment, that change was already announced and I forgot about it – Ed.)

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For the 737-800 fleet the move to 16 F seats is a return to the layout the planes had until 2016. At that time the planes were converted to add the Premium Cabin seating, removing a row of first class in the process.

The new first class seats on the 737-800 will be manufactured by Recaro, extending the relationship between the companies. The seats will feature a calf rest, updated seatback device holder, 6-way headrest, and USB-C power.

Similarly, the 737-900ERs will receive an interior refresh, including addition of device holders to the seats.

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And, importantly, Alaska Airlines will not cut a lavatory from the cabin to make the new layout work. Each plane will still fly with four on board. That said, the legroom in economy will change, particularly in front of the exit rows.

On the 900ER/MAX 9 it appears that the Premium Class rows might also shrink a bit to fit the extra row in the space.

And with the 737-800s the exit rows will now include an “infinite leg room” option and lose one row of seats in front of the exits. That’s made up for with an extra row of seats behind the wing. In total, the 800s lose two Y seats but gain four in F.

The company indicated its revenues for the current premium products continue to rise. First Class brought in 8% more revenue in the current quarter compared to 2023, while Premium Class was up 6%. The company also noted that the (paid?) load factor in first class hit 71%, up 4.3% from the prior year.