Alaska Airlines revolutionizes its business class for long-haul flights

The American airline Alaska Airlines has unveiled a new high-end offering for its future transatlantic and transpacific routes: the new «International Business Class». This product will be launched next spring, with the first long-haul flights to Rome, London, Reykjavik, Seoul and Tokyo. This initiative marks a significant step forward for Alaska Airlines, which until now has focused mainly on the US domestic market and regional routes from its bases in the northwestern USA.

The new cab will be deployed on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner which will operate these new routes. Each seat will be transformed into a veritable private suite, with a sliding door for added privacy, bringing it closer to the standards offered by leading airlines in the Middle East and Asia. Passengers will also benefit from direct aisle access, an 18-inch HD screen, and a wireless charging solution for their electronic devices. The offer will be completed by the next-generation Wi-Fi service provided by Starlink, expected in autumn 2026.

«We've designed a sophisticated business-class experience that's authentically Alaska: premium, comfortable and thoughtfully considered for our passengers,» said Andrew Harrison, the airline's chief commercial officer.

A personalized culinary experience and local partnerships

The culinary experience will be an essential component of this new offering. The menus, developed in collaboration with the chef Brady Ishiwata Williams, will be adapted to the destination. Flights to Rome will offer Italian-inspired dishes, while those for Seoul will celebrate Korean gastronomy. For the sweets, the company has teamed up with artisanal brand Salt & Straw, from Portland. The comfort kits and bedding will be designed by Filson, an iconic brand in the Pacific Northwest.

European expansion and strategic challenges

The rollout of these new routes will begin with the Seattle-Rome on April 28, followed by Seattle-London on May 21, then Seattle-Reykjavik on May 28. The flight to Seoul is scheduled for April, while Tokyo will join the network in autumn 2026. These openings are part of Alaska Airlines' international expansion strategy, particularly since joining the alliance Oneworld, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year.

This move upmarket in business class meets a major economic challenge: diversifying Alaska Airlines' revenues in the face of competitive pressure in the US market. The parent company, Alaska Air Group, which also boasts Horizon Air and recently acquired Hawaiian Airlines, posted year-on-year sales of $14.24 billion, up 211TP4Q. The introduction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner into its fleet marks a clear global ambition for the company.

With this new cabin and the deployment of the Boeing 787, Alaska Airlines is now positioned as a player capable of competing on the international long-haul market. It's a daring challenge for a historically regional airline: reinventing its premium «authentic Alaska» identity to appeal to international customers, while consolidating its presence on the West Coast of the United States. The overall experience offered by Alaska Airlines' 787 will be far superior to that offered on its Airbus A330s, which do not feature the new aircraft's private suites and modern amenities.