Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have announced a major cabin and lounge investment, introducing Alaska’s Aurora Suites, an enhanced Leihōkū Suites experience for Hawaiian and a new Premium Reserve premium economy cabin.
Aircraft upgrades will begin rolling out in 2028, alongside new lounges in Seattle, Honolulu and San Diego. The plans include Alaska’s first lie-flat suites on selected Boeing 737 transcontinental services and a complete interior overhaul of Hawaiian’s 24 Airbus A330s.
Alaska Brings Aurora Suites to Dreamliners and Selected 737s
Alaska plans to install 34 Aurora Suites on its Boeing 787-9 aircraft and 40 on future 787-10s. At least 25 Boeing 737-10 MAX aircraft will each receive 12 suites for selected transcontinental routes from 2028.
The suites will offer lie-flat beds, direct aisle access and storage, with privacy doors on the 787s. Each will have a 19-inch 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, USB-C ports and AC power.
The Aurora experience will also include dedicated check-in and concierge service in Seattle, chef-designed menus and on-demand dining.
The updated 787-9 layout will increase the share of premium seating from around 38% to 46%.
Hawaiian A330s to Receive New Interiors Throughout
Hawaiian’s A330 refurbishment programme will begin in 2028, covering every cabin.
Each aircraft will have 22 Leihōkū Suites with lie-flat seating, direct aisle access and privacy doors. The suites will feature 19-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging and enhanced bedding.
Menus will draw on Hawaiian ingredients and culinary traditions, with wine pairings and service adapted for domestic First Class and international Business Class journeys. Suite guests will also have access to dedicated check-in and concierge assistance in Honolulu and Seattle.
Elsewhere on the aircraft, the refurbishment will introduce a new entertainment system with 4K screens and Bluetooth connectivity. Premium seating will account for approximately 40% of the A330 cabin, up from 30%.
Premium Reserve Adds a Separate Premium Economy Cabin
Premium Reserve will go on sale in summer 2027, ahead of its introduction in 2028.
The new cabin will sit between Aurora or Leihōkū Suites and the existing Premium Class and Main Cabin products. Planned seat counts are:
- Boeing 787-9 and 787-10: 35 Premium Reserve seats.
- Airbus A330: 28 seats.
- Selected Boeing 737-10 MAX aircraft: 12 seats.
Seats will offer 38 inches of pitch, greater width than standard economy, enhanced recline, and leg and calf rests.
Other features include 16-inch 4K OLED screens, Bluetooth connectivity, AC and USB-C power, larger tray tables and upgraded dining and amenities.
Seattle Lounge Complex Scheduled for Late 2027
Alaska’s new lounge complex in Seattle’s expanded C Concourse is expected to open in late 2027.
The nearly 41,000-square-foot facility will contain two connected spaces: a 500-seat Alaska Lounge operating under existing access policies and a 200-seat Aurora Lounge for Aurora Suites passengers on intercontinental flights.
Shared features will include an outdoor patio with a fireplace, private work pods, three bar areas, a pizza oven and a coffee lab.
The Aurora Lounge will additionally offer private shower suites, wellness spaces and made-to-order dining with tableside service.
New Lounges for Honolulu and San Diego
Hawaiian plans to open a nearly 13,000-square-foot lounge at the entrance to Honolulu’s Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1 in early 2028.
The approximately 200-seat space will offer locally inspired food and drinks, a full-service bar, a dedicated coffee experience, private workspaces and work by local artists. Access will follow a model similar to The Plumeria Lounge, including entry for Leihōkū Suites guests.
Alaska will also open a 14,000-square-foot lounge in San Diego in 2028.
Regional Chefs Shape the Onboard Menus
Alaska is working with Seattle chefs Renee Erickson and Brady Ishiwata Williams on its international dining programme.
Erickson will develop menus for European routes, including London, Rome, Athens and Paris, while Williams will expand his work on services from Seattle to Asia.
At Hawaiian, Executive Chef Dell Valdez will continue developing menus for Leihōkū Suites and First Class. The airline has also introduced a Main Cabin pre-order dining programme with Maui-based chef Sheldon Simeon on most flights between Hawaiʻi and the continental United States.
Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci said the investment was intended to extend premium service beyond the seat, connecting the airport experience with dining, comfort and care onboard.
