Alaska Airlines Adds New Cabins and Lounges to Expand Its Premium Travel Experience
Alaska Air Group is giving its premium cabins a major update, with three new offerings planned across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The lineup includes Premium Reserve, Aurora Suites, and Hawaiian’s Leihōkū Suites. The company unveiled the plans on September 29, 2026, along with upcoming lounge additions and upgrades to aircraft interiors.
Passengers will see the new cabins across Alaska’s Boeing 787 and 737-10 MAX fleet and Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s. Most of the products are expected to launch from 2028.
The move gives Alaska Air Group a larger premium offering as it expands longer-haul flying and adds more premium seating across its fleet.
Alaska Airlines Adds Premium Reserve to Its Fleet
Premium Reserve will be Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines’ new premium economy option, giving passengers more space and comfort than standard economy without moving up to a lie-flat cabin. The new seats are scheduled to roll out from 2028 across:
- Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9
- Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-10
- Select Boeing 737-10 MAX aircraft
- Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330 aircraft
Premium Reserve seats on Alaska Airlines will go on sale next summer, ahead of the 2028 rollout. The seats will have 38 inches of pitch, a wider seat, greater recline, and a leg and calf rest. Other features include:
- 16-inch 4K OLED entertainment screens
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Larger tray tables
- Storage pockets
- More personal space
- Enhanced seat comfort
The Premium Reserve seat count will differ across aircraft types. Alaska’s 787-9 and 787-10 will each have 35 seats, while Hawaiian’s A330 will have 28 and the 737-10 MAX will have 12.
Alaska Airlines Introduces Aurora Suites With Lie-Flat First Class
Alaska Airlines is positioning Aurora Suites as its top premium cabin, with lie-flat seats available on Boeing 787s and select transcontinental 737-10 MAX services. Alaska plans to install:
- 34 Aurora Suites on each 787-9
- 40 Aurora Suites on future 787-10 aircraft
- 12 Aurora Suites on at least 25 Boeing 737-10 MAX aircraft
The 737-10 MAX rollout stands out because Alaska will introduce lie-flat seats on select transcontinental first-class flights starting in 2028.
On the 787, Aurora Suites will feature fully lie-flat beds, direct aisle access, and privacy doors. Each suite will also have a 19-inch 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth, wireless and USB-C charging, AC power, and additional storage.
Aurora travelers will have dedicated ground services at Seattle, including check-in and concierge assistance. The airline also plans to open a new Aurora Lounge there for eligible passengers.
Aurora Suites Include Premium Dining and Connectivity
The cabin upgrade goes beyond the seat itself. Dining in Aurora Suites will include chef-curated meals and an on-demand service. The airline is also adding premium materials, including softer and more breathable Ultraleather upholstery.
Atmos Rewards members will have access to Starlink Wi-Fi on eligible flights, with the service provided complimentary through T-Mobile.
A New Aurora Lounge Is Coming to Seattle
Alaska Airlines is planning a dedicated Aurora Lounge in Seattle for premium passengers. The lounge will be designed specifically around the Aurora premium experience and will include several features not found in a standard airport lounge. Planned amenities include:
- Private shower suites
- Wellness spaces
- Chef-prepared made-to-order meals
- À la carte dining
- Tableside service
- Private work pods
- Three premium bar areas
- An outdoor patio
- Fireplace
- Fresh pastries and locally sourced food and beverages
The planned Seattle lounge will cover two floors and feature three premium bars, a coffee lab, and a pizza oven. It will be part of Alaska Airlines’ broader lounge expansion.
Hawaiian Airlines Introduces Leihōkū Suites and Refreshed A330 Interiors
Hawaiian Airlines is receiving its own premium product called Leihōkū Suites. The name means “lei of stars” and draws inspiration from Polynesian navigation and wayfinding.
Hawaiian Airlines will begin refreshing all 24 of its Airbus A330 interiors in 2028. The changes will cover the entire aircraft, from the first row through the last row.
On the upgraded A330s, 22 Leihōkū Suites will serve as the premium cabin for international business class and domestic First Class. The new suites will include:
- Lie-flat seating
- Direct aisle access
- Privacy doors
- 19-inch 4K entertainment screens
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless charging
- USB-C charging
- AC power
Hawaiian Airlines is adding dedicated airport support for Leihōkū travelers in Honolulu and Seattle, including concierge service and a dedicated check-in process. The A330 refresh will also increase the share of premium seats from around 30% to approximately 40%.
Hawaiian Airlines Plans a New Premium Lounge in Honolulu
Hawaiian is also adding a new lounge at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
The airline plans to open the nearly 13,000 square foot lounge in early 2028 near the entrance of Terminal 1’s Mauka Concourse.
The lounge will accommodate approximately 200 guests and will feature Hawaiian-inspired food and beverages, along with a signature local coffee experience.
Access will be similar to Hawaiian’s Plumeria Lounge, including access for eligible passengers traveling in Leihōkū Suites.
The Honolulu project forms part of Alaska Air Group’s wider lounge expansion, which also includes investments in Seattle and San Diego.
Alaska Airlines Is Expanding Its Premium Network
The cabin announcement is part of Alaska Air Group’s wider Alaska Accelerate strategy.
The company is investing in premium cabins, lounges, loyalty, global connectivity and longer-haul routes. Alaska Air Group says it expects to operate at least 15 long-haul intercontinental destinations by 2030.
The company also expects premium revenue to account for more than 40% of total revenue by 2030, compared with 35% currently.
That strategy explains the scale of the cabin changes. Alaska is not simply adding a new seat category. It is building separate premium products for international, transcontinental and Hawaii-focused travel.
What Alaska Airlines New Premium Cabins Mean for Travelers
Travelers will have three distinct premium choices across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Premium Reserve sits closer to premium economy, giving passengers more personal space and upgraded features without the full setup of a lie-flat suite. The flagship cabins, Aurora Suites and Leihōkū Suites, combine lie-flat seating with greater privacy and premium airport services.
The two airlines are also taking different approaches to their premium cabins. Aurora Suites reflect Alaska Airlines’ focus on Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, while Leihōkū Suites bring Hawaiian Airlines’ island-inspired style into its refreshed A330 cabins.
For passengers taking long international flights, the biggest upgrades are easy to spot: lie-flat suites, larger entertainment displays, improved dining and access to new premium lounges. Travelers who want more comfort than standard economy without stepping up to a lie-flat suite will have Premium Reserve as a middle-tier option.
Planning to travel with Alaska Airlines? Compare Alaska Airlines flights, available routes, travel dates and cabin options before booking. For international trips, check the aircraft and cabin assigned to your specific itinerary, especially if you’re interested in Alaska’s upcoming premium products. You can also explore Flyopedia flight deals to check available fares and choose an itinerary for your journey.
