Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines unveil new lie-flat suites and premium economy
Alaska Air Group is launching new lie-flat business suites and Premium Reserve premium economy across its Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines fleets from 2028, alongside major new lounges in Seattle and Honolulu.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are introducing new lie-flat business suites and a premium economy cabin called Premium Reserve. The upgrades, part of a post-merger fleet modernization, will begin rolling out in 2028. Alaska Air Group stated it wants to be the ‘fourth global US carrier’. The company revealed refurbished cabins, brand-new lounges, and the new premium economy class last week.
Alaska Airlines will fit its Boeing 787 Dreamliners with 34 Aurora Suites featuring fully flat beds. Its new Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, intended for transcontinental routes, will also get a version of these suites. Hawaiian Airlines is refurbishing its 24 Airbus A330s, each receiving 22 Leihōkū Suites. These suites will have privacy doors, 19-inch TV screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and direct aisle access. The Collins Aerospace seat used for the Leihōkū Suite is also used by British Airways for its Club Suite.
Premium economy expansion across the fleet
Both airlines are adding a separate Premium Reserve cabin. The seats will offer a 38-inch pitch, wider cushions, 16-inch 4K TV screens, Bluetooth, in-seat power, and upgraded dining. Alaska's version includes winged headrests. The planned configurations provide different seat counts across the fleets.
| Aircraft | Airline | Premium Reserve Seats | Layout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787 | Alaska Airlines | 35 | 2-3-2 |
| Airbus A330 | Hawaiian Airlines | 28 | 2-3-2 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 10 | Alaska Airlines | 12 | 2-2 |
Lounge upgrades at Honolulu and Seattle
Hawaiian Airlines is constructing a nearly 13,000-square-foot lounge at Honolulu Airport's Terminal 1. This new space will be more than five times larger than its existing Plumeria Lounge. It will feature locally inspired food and drinks, a dedicated coffee experience, a full-service bar, and will offer free Starlink wi-fi in the coming months. Alaska Airlines plans to open a 41,000-square-foot lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This lounge will include a separate area dedicated to passengers flying in the new Aurora suites.
Post-merger fleet modernization and alliance benefits
Alaska Airlines completed its merger with Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024. The two brands will continue to operate separately. Both are now partners in the oneworld alliance, making their flights redeemable with British Airways Avios points. The cabin refurbishments are a key part of the combined group's strategy. Hawaiian will reconfigure its A330s used for flights to Hawaii, Asia, and Oceania. The total seat count on each A330 will decrease from 278 to 254, increasing the proportion of premium seats from 30% to about 40%. Alaska's redesigned 787-9 will see premium seats rise to 46% of the cabin, up from 38%. At least 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft are planned to receive 12 Aurora suites each, pending the aircraft model's certification. A company representative noted that "there’s a lot of investment going into the passenger experience at Alaska Air Group." The airline group says the new Premium Reserve seats will go on sale in the summer of 2027, ahead of their 2028 introduction.
