Alaska Airlines Adds Premium Economy and More Business Class — Can It Catch Up to the Big 3?

Photo Credit: Alaska Airlines' new livery on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners is inspired by the northern lights. Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines is adding more premium seating to its fleet, betting that high-spend travelers will continue to drive most of the industry’s profits. The carrier said Tuesday it is adding premium economy seats and business class suites to its Boeing 787s and select transcontinental routes operated on its 737 Max 10s. After closing its merger with Hawaiian Airlines in 2024, Alaska has pushed forward with a strategy to become a full-service international carrier. Alaska is already flying several routes to Europe and Asia from its Seattle hub and launched international business class seats earlier this year. The new additions come as the carrier has been hit particularly hard by surging fuel prices given its heavy West Coast presence. Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci previously said during an earnings call in July that fuel costs wiped out its profit in the first half of the year. The carrier suspended guidance for 2026. But the carrier