Alaska and Hawaiian Go All-In on Lie-Flat Suites and Premium Economy

Alaska Air Group just announced its biggest premium push yet for both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

Alaska's new flagship business class is called Aurora, while Hawaiian's is Leihōkū ("lei of stars"). Both products feature lie-flat suites with direct aisle access, 19-inch 4K screens, and dedicated check-in services.

• Alaska Airlines: Rolling out 34 Aurora Suites on its 787s and — for the first time — 12 suites on at least 25 Boeing 737-10 MAX aircraft operating select transcontinental routes, beginning in 2028.
• Hawaiian Airlines: Refitting its entire fleet of 24 Airbus A330s from front to back, including 22 Leihōkū Suites.

The other major news is Premium Reserve, a new premium economy cabin that establishes a four-cabin configuration: Suites, Premium Reserve, Premium Class, and Main Cabin.

Seats go on sale next summer and will begin rolling out in 2028 across Alaska's 787-9, 787-10, and select 737-10 MAX jets, as well as Hawaiian's A330s. Passengers can expect 38 inches of pitch, leg and calf rests, and 16-inch 4K OLED screens.

You'll see this many seats on Alaska and Hawaiian planes:

• Boeing 787: 35 Premium Reserve seats
• Airbus A330: 28 Premium Reserve seats
• Boeing 737-10 MAX: 12 Premium Reserve seats

The group's airport lounges are getting a big upgrade, too. Seattle (SEA) gets a nearly 41,000-square-foot lounge complex in the expanded C Concourse, opening in late 2027, with a 500-seat Alaska Lounge and a 200-seat Aurora Lounge for suite guests on intercontinental flights.

Further, San Diego (SAN) will get a 14,000-square-foot Alaska Lounge that's set to open in 2028, and Honolulu (HNL) will get a nearly 13,000-square-foot Hawaiian lounge in early 2028.

Andrew's Take

This is exciting news from an airline that has historically not offered a premium domestic product. I used to fly to Seattle (SEA) often for work, and spent much of it in Alaska's recliners. A lie-flat business-class seat would have been much appreciated, and, when in service, it will make the airline a true competitor to American, Delta, JetBlue, and United on transcontinental routes.