Alaska Airlines to Increase First and Premium Class Seats by Retrofitting Existing Aircraft

Alaska Airlines announced plans to retrofit its existing aircraft to increase the number of First Class and Premium Class seats.

For the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, the airline will increase First Class seats from 12 to 16, maintaining 30 seats in Premium Class. A total of 59 aircraft will undergo this retrofit from early 2025 to the summer of 2026. The new First Class seats, manufactured by Recaro, will feature footrests, device holders, six-way adjustable headrests with neck support, and USB-C power outlets. Both the Main Cabin and Premium Class will also be equipped with the new device holders with cup holders, USB-C power outlets, and six-way adjustable headrests with neck support.

In the Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, Premium Class seats will be increased from 24 to 30, while keeping 16 seats in First Class. This retrofit will target 79 aircraft starting this autumn through the summer of 2025, involving the refurbishment of six Main Cabin seats and a full cabin interior overhaul.

The Boeing 737-9 aircraft will see an increase in Premium Class seats from 24 to 30, with First Class maintaining 16 seats. This will involve 79 aircraft and take place from the spring of 2205 to the summer of 2026.

This initiative aims to meet the growing demand, adding an annual supply of 1.3 million seats in the advanced classes. Revenues from First Class and Premium Class have seen increases of 8% and 6%, respectively, with First Class occupancy rates climbing by 4.3% to 71%.

Earlier this year, the airline has already completed retrofitting its Embraer E175 aircraft, adding an annual supply of 400,000 seats in the advanced classes.

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