Alaska to Add Premium Class Cabin, Larger Overhead Bins to Fleet

An Alaska Airlines plane at LAX

Alaska Airlines announced plans for a Premium Class section on some of its planes, and said it will increase seat pitch in its first-class cabins from 36” to 41”, install larger overhead bins, and install individual power outlets for all passengers.

The new premium economy lite section will offer extra legroom to passengers as well as several other amenities yet to be announced. Other airlines with similar sections offer a variety of perks ranging from complimentary alcoholic beverages to light snacks to amenity kits.

Alaska’s new section will add 3” to 4” in legroom and members of Alaska’s Mileage Plan frequent flyer program with elite status will be able to book the seats at no charge, while others will be able to pay to reserve seats in the Premium Class section.

Seats in Premium Class will have a minimum of 35” of pitch, while standard coach seats will have 31” to 32”. Alaska will be removing a number of seats on its planes to make room for the new section and additional seat pitch in first.

On the Seattle-based airline’s 737-800 jets, the number of first-class seats will be reduced from 16 to 12, while it will remain the same on its 737-900s and E175s.

All 737s will receive larger overhead bins that provide 48% more room and, in coach, new slim-line leather seats – each with a power outlet – will be installed.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)