Alaska Airlines has released new details about the soft product experience that will debut on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and also announced that its previously announced Seattle – Rome service will go daily next spring.
Alaska Airlines Details Soft Product And Cabin Layout For Its New 787-9 Longhaul Fleet, Based In Seattle
Alaska Airlines is preparing to launch longhaul service on its Boeing 787-9, and the airline has now outlined the amenities that will define the onboard experience. Unlike previous network expansions, this one comes with a true intercontinental soft product and a complete, already-certified hard product inherited via its merger with Hawaiian Airlines.
Business Class: 34 Adient Ascent Suites
The 787-9 will feature 34 Adient Ascent suites arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration with sliding doors, the same seat type Hawaiian configured for its widebody fleet. Key features include:
- Fully enclosed privacy doors
- Direct aisle access at every seat
- Wireless charging, USB-C and AC power
- Large 4K seatback screens with Bluetooth audio
- Adjustable privacy partitions in the center section
This will be the first Alaska Airlines widebody jet.
Premium Class: 79 Extra-Legroom Seats
The middle cabin will consist of 79 extra-legroom seats, mirroring the “Extra Comfort” layout Hawaiian planned for its 787-9. Alaska will call this cabin “Premium Class” and while not a true premium economy seat, passengers can expect:
- Additional legroom compared to Main Cabin
- Larger seatback screens than Main Cabin
- Increased recline
- USB-A, USB-C, and AC power at each seat
- Enhanced service relative to Main Cabin (free cocktails, for example)
Main Cabin: 187 Seats
Main Cabin will offer 187 seats in the standard 3-3-3 configuration with:
- Seatback screens at every seat
- Bluetooth audio pairing
- USB-A and USB-C power
- Complimentary meals on long-haul flights
Soft Product: Where Alaska Is Placing Its Emphasis
Alaska’s long-haul messaging is focused heavily on soft-product enhancements that align with its West Coast branding:
- Filson blankets and bedding – Premium blankets and soft goods in the premium cabins, designed in collaboration with Seattle-based Filson.
- Filson amenity kits with Salt & Stone skincare – Custom-designed amenity kits stocked with Salt & Stone products.
- Stumptown Coffee and Straightaway Cocktails – Long-haul flights will serve Stumptown coffee as well as Straightaway cocktails (Alaska had previously announced a Nitro Espresso Martini, developed in partnership with Stumptown)
- Free Starlink Wi-Fi – High-speed connectivity will be free for Atmos Rewards members across the aircraft in late 2026.
- Updated food and beverage program – A West Coast-inspired dining program, with “multi-course, elevated dining on board with a variety of selections to choose from that can be pre-ordered, along with fine wines and inspired cocktails” in business class and “two chef-inspired meals served in Premium Class and the Main Cabin during the flight, along with complimentary beer and wine (complimentary spirits are also offered in Premium Class)”
Rome Will Operate Daily
As part of its longhaul reveal, Alaska confirmed its new Seattle (SEA) –Rome (FCO) route will operate daily, indicating confidence in more robust demand even before the first flight operates. The flight will remain seasonal.
| Route | Start | End | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle – Rome | April 28, 2026 | October | 5:30 p.m. | 1:15 p.m. +1 |
| Rome – Seattle | April 29, 2026 | October | 3:25 p.m. | 5:45 p.m. |
All times local.
Seattle Becomes The 787-9 Base
Alaska has formalized Seattle as the home base for its Dreamliner fleet, with all long-haul flying, maintenance, and flight crew domiciles centered there. The 787-9 will be the foundation for Alaska’s intercontinental operation to Europe and Asia.
CONCLUSION
We now have a better picture of what Alaska’s long-haul product will look like: Adient Ascent suites up front, a large extra-legroom cabin in the middle, and West Coast-influenced amenities throughout. With new Alaska-operated intercontinental service coming and a consolidated Seattle base, Alaska is preparing its most ambitious network shift in decades.
given the popularity of premium economy, Alaska Air is really going to struggle on these international flights by not having a premium economy cabin.
What are they thinking?
IIRC they have plans to install it in the future, but HA’s current configuration doesn’t have it and they want to get the planes in service as fast as possible.
Agree–they are making the same huge mistake as Hawaiian. The biggest problem with the extra legroom seats on a 787 is the horrendous 3x3x3 seating, a configuration I refuse to fly no matter the legroom.
My wife and are are booked onto Hawaiian’s A330 fight from Sydney to Honolulu in a couple of months, in extra legroom economy which is 2x4x2. If they swap the A330 for the newer 787, we will be cancelling our tickets and finding a different flight–just because of the 3x seating in economy.
Yep, really blew it by not offering 2-2-2 premium economy.
While I wish AS the best, this release is 95% what we already knew/they have previously announced, with a giant dose of Marketing copy that exaggerates things beyond reason.
When I read it, instead of Salt & Stone I read Salt & Straw (i.e. ice cream) and got excited for a moment…
And all kudos go to AS…
Let’s recall that once approved, this will mark the first nonstop flight between SEA and FCO. The announcement represents a significant milestone not just for Alaska Airlines, but for the entire Pacific Northwest region, which has long lacked direct connectivity to The Bel Paese… So, get ready to say “Ciao/Buongiorno” to majestic Rome!
“…route will operate daily, indicating confidence in year-round demand even before the first flight operates. The flight will remain seasonal.”
How does daily seasonal service indicate confidence in year-round demand?
To borrow the word of Gov. Perry, “Oops.”
It’s beautiful. Reminds me of Qatar’s 787 with the doors in Business Class (the mini-Q-suite.)
Extra legroom is hardly a premium class as Hawaiian Airlines found on its 787 foray.
It’s interesting that Alaska uses that branding for what indeed are just extra legroom seats.
It took me a minute to understand what Matthew meant when he wrote that the extra legroom section wasn’t true premium economy. After reading others’ comments and reviewing the photos, I now get it–3-3-3 seating doesn’t really cut it competitively.
Going to daily service is likely a good competitive move against Delta. It will be interesting to see how/if Delta responds to that.
For the PNW in general, this nonstop route is a great thing for anyone traveling to Rome. It will save a lot of time as compared to 1-stop itineraries, which may well override any concern about seating options.
For me personally, if I fly this route, my airline choice will come down to fares (in miles or $) and schedule convenience. I wish AS (and DL) luck in this endeavor.
Missing a prime opportunity without true Premium Economy (2 x 3 x 2).
Gen X (45 to 60 yrs old as of 2025) and Baby Boomers (like me) have the pocket money and will pay extra for comfort.
I fear Alaska may be punching way above its weight and shall bear the consequences… I hope I’m wrong and the SEA-FCO service is a hit, but I don’t see the load factors warranting the flight, especially that Alaska isn’t partnered with ITA for best connections and “seamless” onward travel.