Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have announced plans for new premium cabins across their Boeing 787 and 737-10 MAX fleets and Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s, with rollouts beginning in 2028. The Alaska Air Group plan pairs Alaska’s Aurora and Hawaiian’s Leihōkū suites with a new Premium Reserve cabin, A330 interior upgrades and airport lounge projects in Seattle, Honolulu and San Diego.
Aurora and Leihōkū bring lie-flat suites to more aircraft
Alaska says it plans to fit 34 lie-flat Aurora Suites on each 787-9 and 40 on future 787-10 aircraft. It also plans to put 12 suites on at least 25 Boeing 737-10 MAX aircraft, bringing lie-flat seats to select transcontinental first-class flights for the first time in the airline’s history. The 737-10 MAX service is planned for 2028. Alaska says an updated 787-9 will have about 46 percent premium seating, up from 38 percent today.
The airline describes the suites as having lie-flat beds, direct aisle access and storage, with privacy doors on the 787s. Planned features include 19-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth, wireless and USB-C charging, and AC power. Alaska also says Aurora guests will have dedicated check-in and concierge service in Seattle, access to a planned Aurora Lounge, chef-led dining and on-demand meals. It says Starlink Wi-Fi will be complimentary for Atmos Rewards members, thanks to T-Mobile.
Hawaiian plans to begin installing new interiors throughout its 24 Airbus A330s in 2028. The work includes 22 enhanced Leihōkū Suites for international business-class and domestic first-class flights. Hawaiian says the A330 cabin will have about 40 percent premium seating, up from 30 percent today. The planned suites include lie-flat seating, direct aisle access, privacy doors, 19-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth, wireless and USB-C charging, and AC power. The airline also lists dining by local chefs, wine pairings, hotel-quality bedding and enhanced amenities.
The A330 work extends beyond the suites: Hawaiian says all rows will receive new interiors, including an upgraded inflight entertainment system with 4K screens and Bluetooth connectivity. Leihōkū guests are to receive dedicated check-in and concierge service in Honolulu and Seattle. Hawaiian also says complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi will be available to Atmos Rewards members, thanks to T-Mobile.
Premium Reserve adds a fourth cabin
Premium Reserve is a new premium economy option planned for Alaska’s 787-9s, 787-10s and select 737-10 MAX aircraft, as well as Hawaiian’s A330s. The airlines say seats will go on sale next summer, meaning summer 2027 in the context of their September 29, 2026 announcement, with the rollout beginning in 2028.
Planned seat counts are 35 on each 787 type, 28 on the A330 and 12 on the 737-10 MAX. Alaska and Hawaiian describe the seats as wider than traditional economy, with 38 inches of pitch, enhanced recline, and leg and calf rests. Other listed features include a 16-inch 4K OLED screen with Bluetooth, AC power and USB-C charging, large tray tables, storage pockets, upgraded dining and amenities. The airlines say the cabin will sit between their flagship suites and Premium Class, alongside Main Cabin in a four-cabin configuration.
Lounge plans include Seattle, Honolulu and San Diego
Alaska plans a nearly 41,000-square-foot lounge at Seattle’s expanded C Concourse, with an opening targeted for late 2027. The connected facility is planned to include a 500-seat Alaska Lounge and a 200-seat Aurora Lounge. Alaska says the former will serve travelers eligible under existing lounge access policies; the Aurora Lounge is intended for Aurora Suites guests traveling on intercontinental flights.
The announced features include an outdoor patio, private work pods, locally sourced food and drink, a pizza oven, a coffee lab and three premium bar areas. The Aurora Lounge is also planned to have private shower suites, wellness spaces, chef-prepared food, à la carte dining and tableside service.
Hawaiian plans a nearly 13,000-square-foot lounge at the entrance to the Mauka Concourse in Honolulu’s Terminal 1, targeted to open in early 2028 and seat about 200 guests. The airline says access will be similar to The Plumeria Lounge, including for Leihōkū Suites guests. Planned amenities include locally inspired food and drinks, a local coffee offering, a full-service bar, workspaces and art by local artists. Alaska Air Group also says a 14,000-square-foot Alaska Lounge is planned for San Diego in 2028; the announcement gives no more specific opening date.
Dining programs draw on Seattle and Hawaiʻi chefs
Alaska has named Seattle chefs Renee Erickson and Brady Ishiwata Williams for menus on its international service. Erickson is slated to create menus for European routes, including London and Rome, and, beginning in spring 2027, Athens and Paris. Williams is to expand his culinary program to Alaska routes across Asia from Seattle. Alaska also says international guests will receive a cheese and charcuterie welcome service and that it will introduce a new international wine program.
Hawaiian says executive chef Dell Valdez will continue shaping meals for Leihōkū Suites and first class, using local ingredients and culinary traditions with selected wine pairings. The airline also says it launched a chef-driven Main Cabin pre-order dining program this summer on most flights between Hawaiʻi and the U.S. continent. Developed with Maui-based chef Sheldon Simeon, the program offers dishes featuring Hawaiʻi ingredients and food traditions alongside locally sourced onboard products. The announcement does not give a specific launch date.
