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Alaska Airlines completes first retrofitted Boeing 737-800 with more premium seating

Alaska Airlines completes first retrofitted Boeing 737-800 with more premium seating
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Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 | Official Website

Alaska Airlines has completed the first retrofit of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft with a new premium-heavy interior. The upgraded aircraft, registered as N558AS, is the first in Alaska’s narrowbody fleet to feature additional first class and enhanced premium class seating designed by RECARO Aircraft Seating.

The airline plans to refurbish all 59 of its Boeing 737-800s by summer 2026. These upgrades are part of ongoing efforts to improve passenger experience across Alaska’s fleet. Christopher Dela Rosa, Cabin Product Director at Alaska Airlines, shared news of the milestone on LinkedIn, stating that demand for premium seating has driven these changes. “These developments and upgrades come in response to growing demand for premium seating,” Dela Rosa said.

Previously configured with 12 first class seats, the refurbished aircraft now offers at least 16 in that section. The updated cabins also include USB-C charging outlets for every seat and reserved overhead bin placards above premium class seats to ensure carry-on space for those passengers. According to ch-aviation data cited by the airline, the average age of Alaska’s 737-800 fleet is about 17 years.

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Alaska Airlines does not offer a traditional business class; instead, it provides first class and premium class as its main upgraded seating options.

In June 2025, Alaska announced broader enhancements across its entire Boeing 737 fleet. By the end of this year, some planes will enter service with upgraded interiors featuring consistent cabin design elements such as new bulkheads, dividers, leather seats, and carpeting. Nearly all of Alaska’s Boeing 737s are expected to have refreshed interiors by late 2025, though not all will receive the expanded premium-heavy layout.

Looking ahead, Alaska Airlines has indicated it will announce updates for Hawaiian Airlines’ Airbus A330 widebody fleet but has yet to specify what those upgrades will entail. Following their merger earlier this year, Hawaiian’s long-haul A330s and four Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be integrated into Alaska’s operations.

On March 25, 2025, following the merger announcement between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines—which created new opportunities for both carriers—Alaska detailed a second route from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Asia using Hawaiian’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft beginning September 12 on flights to Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN), South Korea.

Alaska Airlines is a full-service carrier based in Seattle with hubs including Anchorage International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. It joined the oneworld alliance and operates throughout North America under CEO Ben Minicucci since its founding in 1932.

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