Alaska Airlines will introduce a new Premium Class cabin, giving travelers an intermediate upgrade option with extra legroom and added benefits for a more comfortable flight.
“Premium Class will provide an opportunity for all customers to get an enhanced flight experience,” said Andrew Harrison, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Alaska Airlines. “We are listening to our customers and they have told us that more personal space and extra perks are a priority.”
Starting in late 2016, passengers will be able to purchase or receive an upgrade to Premium Class, which includes priority boarding and an additional three to four inches of legroom over standard economy seats. Complimentary upgrades to Premium Class will be available to eligible Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite members at booking or on the day of travel, depending on the member’s status and the fare purchased.
The airline plans to retrofit as many as 60 aircraft with Premium Class seating by the end of 2016, and to complete the rest of its Boeing 737-800, 737-900 and 737-900ER fleet by the end of 2017. Premium Class will also be offered on Embraer 175 aircraft operated by SkyWest that are configured with a 12-seat Premium Class section. Meanwhile, Preferred Plus seating—currently sold at check-in for bulkhead and exit row seats—will remain available on Alaska’s 737-400 and 737-700 airplanes.
By adding Premium Class, Alaska Airlines aims to give customers a more flexible range of cabin choices between standard economy and first-class, improving comfort for travelers who want more space and faster boarding without the cost of a top-tier fare.