Starting in September, Alaska Airlines will begin rolling out additional First Class and Premium Class seating across more than 200 of its aircraft, including its Boeing 737-900ERs, 737-800s and 737 MAX9s. This expansion will add 1.3 million premium seats annually to the airline’s mainline fleet.
The decision to increase the number of First Class and Premium Class seats comes in response to growing demand from Alaska Airlines customers for seat upgrade options, supporting, as the airline says, “what we believe to be a structural shift in higher demand for premium products.”
The airline reports that its First Class and Premium Class revenues finished up 8% and 6%, respectively, during this quarter, with the First Class load factor hitting 71% for the quarter, up 4.3 points. “Our paid premium capacity has come a long way from the days of paid load factors in the 40% range for mainline and all-coach regional fleet,” according to Alaska Airlines.
Earlier this year, the airline successfully retrofitted its entire regional fleet, adding 400,000 Premium Class seats to its Embraer E175 aircraft.
A new Boeing fleet standard: 16 First Class seats and 30 Premium Class seats
Alaska Airlines has partnered with Recaro Aircraft Seating for the First Class experience. More Recaro CL4710 models (now branded the R5) will be installed on the carrier’s 59 Boeing 737-800s (increasing First Class from 12 to 16 seats), featuring include a calf rest, a new seatback device holder, a 6-way headrest with neck support, and USB-C charging capabilities. Conversions will begin in early 2025, with completion due by summer 2026. Main Cabin seat count will be reduced to accommodate the new seats.
In the Main Cabin and Premium Class sections of the Boeing 737-800 fleet, guests will benefit from improved seat features, including new device holders with built-in cup holders, USB-C charging, and a 6-way headrest with dedicated neck support. The Premium Class seat count will remain at 30 seats.
For the 79-strong Boeing 737-900ER fleet, First Class will remain at 16 seats, while Premium Class will increase from 24 to 30 seats, by removing six Main Cabin seats. These aircraft will also receive an interior refresh, including modern comforts such as device holders in the main cabin. Conversions will begin in fall/autumn 2024, to be completed by summer 2025.
The airline’s 80 Boeing 737 MAX9 aircraft, among the newest in the fleet, will also see six Main Cabin seats removed (also Recaro models), to increase Premium Class from 24 to 30 seats. First Class seat count will remain at 16 seats. Conversions will begin in spring 2025, with completion due by summer 2026.
Customers will be glad to see that, even with the installation of additional premium seats, Alaska Airlines’ entire Boeing fleet of aircraft will still have four onboard lavatories.
The airline is also making it easier for guests to upgrade. Customers can pay to upgrade to First or Premium Class up to 50 minutes before departure on www.alaskaair.com , under Manage on www.alaskaair.com , or through the Alaska Airlines mobile app.
