With Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines completed in 2024, orders of Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliner planes have been redirected toward the long-haul destinations to which the Seattle-based airline plans to expand in the coming years.
For the coming 2026 summer travel season, Alaska is launching new routes to London, Rome and Reykjavík that it hopes to also sell to a larger number of high-end travelers. Each Boeing 787-9 plane is equipped with 34 suite-style pods that the airline is positioning as a new international business class offering for its European routes.
The Elevate Ascent lie-flat seats are laid out in a one-two-one configuration and can be converted between suites and lie-flat beds depending on the passenger’s preference. The same type of suites are built into the new 787-9 planes operated by American and United while Alaska is aiming to build out its new business class experience with tailored dining and amenity options.
Alaska Airlines launches new business class experience for international flights
Prior to the main meal service, business class guests receive a cheese and charcuterie board presented as a “refined interpretation of Alaska’s iconic signature fruit and cheese platter.”
Other nods to its Pacific Northwest base will be present in a selection of West Coast wines, beers and Portland Stumptown coffee while the Alaska’s Chef’s Table entrée has been developed with Seattle chef Brady Ishiwata Williams to include his signature short rib sourced from a local farm.
Other dishes designed for specific routes include the pasta carbonara on flights to Rome and Gochujang chicken with a selection of banchan for the route to Seoul.
After the main meal, a flight attendant will come around with an offering that is sure to delight anyone with a sweet tooth: a dessert cart from which guests can build an ice cream sundae from a selection of viral Portland Salt & Straw ice cream maker flavors or choose from a selection of other pastries, candies and desserts.
Alaska Airlines
“A business class experience that is both sophisticated and authentically Alaska”
The pre-arrival meals will also be tailored to a specific destination, the one that has currently been announced is the English breakfast for the route to London.
Alaska is also partnering with Pacific Northwest clothing and home goods brand Filson for a set of lumbar pillows, mattresses and duvets that travelers will receive for the night-time portion of the flight.
The airline is also launching new amenity kits with skincare products from LA body care brand Salt & Stone, a reusable water bottle and signature sleeping masks with a design of city skylines from the new destinations.
All together, these are part of Alaska’s effort to create a custom business class experience for its new destinations and craft a new course and image as an international airline.
“We set out to design a business class experience that is both sophisticated and authentically Alaska: premium, comfortable and thoughtfully created for our guests,” Alaska’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison said in a statement. “When we debut our new product this spring, it will raise the bar and redefine long-haul travel, while continuing to deliver the remarkable care that sets Alaska apart on the global stage.”
