Alaska Airlines has ushered in a new global era.
Once a West Coast carrier that flew domestic routes using (mostly) single-aisle aircraft, the Seattle-based airline is now rapidly growing its long-haul international network.
On Wednesday, Alaska christened the plane and its new look, which it will debut on its intercontinental routes.
Alaska unveiled the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner delivered by Boeing in a hangar near Seattle.
It’s a design travelers have never seen before: a shimmering blue and green tail inspired by the Northern Lights in Alaska’s namesake state.
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Sean Cudahy/Scoring Expert
“This is a historic day for us,” Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci said, standing in the shadow of the new plane.
Alaska enters dual-passage era
This is a day the company has planned for since acquiring Hawaiian Airlines in 2024.
As part of the merger, Alaska Airlines has set its sights on the new 787-9s that Hawaiian Airlines ordered years ago, long-haul jets that Alaska sees as key to its international ambitions.
With this new plane, Alaska won’t waste any time getting it to faraway destinations.
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The 787 will make its first trans-Pacific flight on Thursday from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Seoul, South Korea.
You’ll be seeing many more aircraft like this one in the coming months.
Prior to the merger, the airline had delivered several 787s to Hawaiian, and Alaska Airlines planned to repaint the planes in its own livery (Alaska and Hawaiian continue to operate as separate airline brands despite sharing a parent company).
Alaska branding will also appear on all future Dreamliners delivered to the company. That includes Alaska’s order on Wednesday for five new large 787-10 jets as part of Boeing’s massive purchase of 110 planes.
Routes scheduled for the new aircraft include Alaska’s upcoming flights from Seattle to Rome (April 28) and London (May 21).
What to expect on Alaska Airlines’ new Boeing 787-9 aircraft
What will travelers find onboard Alaska’s new Dreamliner?
Currently, Hawaiian Airlines introduced nearly identical hardware products on this aircraft less than two years ago, as shown below.
These include 34 business class suites arranged in a 1-2-1 layout and equipped with sliding privacy doors.
Learn More: Take Hawaiian Airlines’ Inaugural Flight of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in 2024
Alaska Airlines is immediately updating some cabin décor to make it feel less like a Hawaiian Airlines flight, including deploying a new mood lighting scheme.
Later this year, the airline plans to launch a range of new “soft product” services that will become a staple of its future long-haul experience on its new flagship.
Premium economy program confirmed
Beyond that, premium economy is coming soon.
Minicucci confirmed on Wednesday that the airline is planning to equip its 787 aircraft with the spacious mid-cabin recliners that have become table stakes for any global airline, but notably are not on these Dreamliners.
“All of this is ongoing,” Minicucci told TPG, noting that Alaska hopes to launch new high-end economy products in 2028.
Hawaiian Airlines will also undergo aircraft upgrades
While Alaska Airlines is taking over Hawaiian Airlines’ 787 aircraft that were ordered before the merger, the airline is planning to make significant investments in long-haul aircraft that will continue to operate under the Hawaiian Airlines brand.
Starting in 2028, the Honolulu-based airline will revamp its Airbus A330 cabins with new business class seats and premium economy cabins.
That builds on plans the company announced earlier this week to upgrade major airports in Hawaii.
How to use points to book Alaska Airlines flights
To use points to book a flight with Alaska Airlines, you need to have an account with the airline’s Atmos rewards program, which is also Hawaiian Airlines’ loyalty program.
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