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 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.
Laid out in a one-two-one configuration, the Elevate Ascent lie-flat seats can be converted from suites to 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 aims 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.”
In other nods to its Pacific Northwest base, the offering includes a selection of West Coast wines, beers, and Portland Stumptown coffee. The Alaska’s Chef’s Table entrée, developed with Seattle chef Brady Ishiwata Williams, features his signature short rib sourced from a local farm.
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Other dishes designed for specific routes are 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 a treat sure to delight anyone with a sweet tooth. A dessert cart lets guests build an ice cream sundae from a selection of viral Portland Salt & Straw ice cream flavors or choose from other pastries, candies, and desserts.
Alaska Airlines unveiled a new business-class offering for its long-haul flights to Europe.
Alaska Airlines
“A business class experience that is both sophisticated and authentically Alaska”
The pre-arrival meals, such as the already announced English breakfast for the route to London, will be tailored to specific destinations.
Alaska is also partnering with Pacific Northwest clothing and home goods brand Filson to provide a set of lumbar pillows, mattresses, and duvets for the night portion of the flight.
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In addition, the airline will launch new amenity kits with skin care products from LA-based body care brand Salt & Stone, a reusable water bottle, and signature sleeping masks with a design of city skylines from the new destinations.
These perks are all 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.”