Alaska Airlines Plans to Upgrade Its Cabins — With More Premium and First Class Seats

Alaska Airlines is upgrading its fleet, adding more first class and premium class seating to its aircraft.

Starting in September, the Seattle-based airline will add additional first class and premium class seats to more than 200 aircraft. The retrofit will take place on the airline’s Boeing 737-900ER, 737-800, and 737-9 MAX aircraft.

“At Alaska Airlines, we’re always looking for new ways to make your travel experience even better,” the airline wrote in a statement. “We believe in giving you choices that fit your needs, whether you’re all about the comfort and perks of Premium and First Class, or you appreciate the value and flexibility of our Main Cabin and Saver Fare options.”

In total, the airline will add 1.3 million premium seats annually to its mainline fleet.

As part of the upgrade, first class seats on Alaska’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft will include a calf rest, a new seat-back device holder, a six-way headrest with neck support, and USB-C charging capabilities. Travelers seated in both the main cabin and premium class of those aircraft will also enjoy new device holders with built-in cup holders, USB-C charging, and the six-way headrest with neck support.

The conversions will start in the fall with the Boeing 737-900ER, followed by the 737-800 in early 2025. Finally, the airline will convert six more seats into premium cabin seats on its Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft starting in spring 2025.

Alaska operates three cabin classes: main cabin, premium class, and first class. In addition to perks like free cocktails, beer, and wine, passengers in premium class can board the aircraft early. In first class, passengers can also check two complimentary bags and pre-order complimentary meals.

Luckily, the airline is making it easier to enjoy the good life by selecting one main cabin passenger every day this summer through Sept. 2 and offering them a complimentary upgrade to premium class.

Alaska was one of the most on-time U.S. airlines in June, and recently introduced a paid subscription service that offers discounts on Wi-Fi and first dibs on sales.