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.