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Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are set to introduce a significant change on their Seattle-Tokyo route. Starting in January, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Hawaiian Airlines will replace the older Airbus A330 currently used between Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Narita Airport (NRT). This move aims to provide travelers with an upgraded cabin experience, featuring business-class suites.
The shift is part of a broader strategy by Alaska Air Group, which owns both airlines, to enhance its competitive edge against Delta Air Lines on transpacific flights. However, this upgrade means reallocating one of Hawaiian's existing Dreamliners from another route.
The merger between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines last year marked the beginning of plans for a global gateway at Seattle. In May, they launched long-haul services with Tokyo as a key destination. Despite initial excitement, the older A330 aircraft was less appealing compared to the new Dreamliner fleet.
