Alaska Airlines has outlined a series of cabin and lounge upgrades that will reshape its premium offerings in the years ahead. The Seattle-based carrier, which completed its merger with Hawaiian Airlines in 2024, is preparing to introduce lie-flat seating on select domestic aircraft for the first time. These changes arrive as the airline seeks to strengthen its position against larger competitors on transcontinental and long-haul routes. ([1])
Lie-Flat Seating Arrives on U.S. Domestic Flights
The most notable development involves plans to equip at least 25 of the airline’s upcoming Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft with lie-flat business-class seats. These configurations will target high-demand transcontinental routes, where passengers have long sought more restful options on coast-to-coast journeys. The seats will form part of a new product line called Aurora Suites, named after the Northern Lights and tied to Alaska’s heritage.
The affected MAX 10 jets will also receive a distinctive exterior livery inspired by the aurora borealis. Deliveries of the first MAX 10 aircraft are expected to begin as early as 2027, though that schedule depends on final certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. Once in service, the lie-flat product will give Alaska a competitive domestic business-class offering that rivals those already operated by Delta and United on similar routes.
Premium Economy Cabin Takes Shape
Alongside the new business-class suites, Alaska will launch a dedicated premium economy product called Premium Reserve. The cabin will feature recliner-style seats with privacy wings, leg and calf rests, larger tray tables, additional storage, and 16-inch 4K screens. Initial deployments are planned for the new MAX 10 aircraft, the airline’s Boeing 787 fleet, and Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s.
Premium Reserve will provide a step above standard economy while remaining distinct from the lie-flat suites. Alaska executives have described the addition as filling a longstanding gap in the carrier’s product lineup as it expands internationally. Passengers can expect to see the first seats enter service in 2028.
Hawaiian Airlines Receives Parallel Upgrades
Hawaiian’s fleet of 24 Airbus A330s will undergo a comprehensive refresh that includes new business-class suites branded Leihoku Suites. The current 2-2-2 layout will be replaced by a 1-2-1 arrangement with 22 pods, each featuring sliding privacy doors and direct aisle access. The same aircraft will also receive the Premium Reserve cabin in the middle section of the plane.
Once complete, the refreshed A330s will carry roughly 45 percent premium seats, an increase from the current 30 percent. The interior changes are scheduled to begin appearing in 2028 and will support Hawaiian’s routes between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii as well as its transpacific services.
New Lounges Expand Premium Access
Airport facilities are also receiving attention. In Seattle, a new Aurora Lounge is under construction on the expanded C concourse at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and is slated to open in late 2027. The facility will offer table-service dining, shower suites, an outdoor patio, and wellness spaces, with access limited primarily to long-haul Aurora Suites passengers and top-tier elite members.
A separate 500-seat Alaska Lounge will sit beneath the Aurora Lounge, bringing the combined Seattle complex to 41,000 square feet. Additional clubs are planned for Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, expected in early 2028, and for San Diego International Airport in 2028. These investments reflect the airline’s broader effort to match the premium ground experiences offered by its larger rivals.
What matters now
Travelers planning transcontinental or Hawaii trips in 2028 and beyond will gain new options for rest and comfort, while the carrier strengthens its competitive stance following the Hawaiian merger.
The announcements mark a clear shift toward higher-end products across both the Alaska and Hawaiian brands. With multiple elements converging in 2028, passengers can anticipate noticeable improvements in both the air and on the ground over the next several years.
