Alaska Airlines Debuts Its Elevate Ascent Suites on a Reimagined 787 Business Class
Two years after absorbing Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska is turning inherited Boeing 787-9s into its own long-haul flagship, with 34 enclosed suites, a chef-driven dining program and a growing map of international routes out of Seattle.
Key takeaways
- Alaska Airlines has rolled out a rebranded 'Suites' business class on Boeing 787-9s inherited from Hawaiian Airlines, packing 34 enclosed pods into a staggered one-two-one cabin.
- The hard product uses the Elevate Ascent seat, the same platform found on the newest American and United 787s, paired with sliding privacy doors and a lie-flat bed.
- A chef-designed dining program, Filson-branded bedding and a build-your-own Salt & Straw sundae cart round out the soft product.
- Seattle to Rome launched the cabin first, with London and Reykjavik following and Starlink Wi-Fi expected across the fleet by fall 2027.
Figures reflect Alaska Airlines' rebranded Suites cabin on Boeing 787-9 aircraft inherited from Hawaiian Airlines.
A New Long-Haul Identity Takes Shape
Alaska Airlines picked up a small fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners when it completed its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, and it has spent the better part of two years deciding what to do with them. The answer arrived this spring: a fully rebranded long-haul product, carrying Alaska's own name, crews and design language rather than a repainted version of Hawaiian's original cabin.
The carrier is treating the jets as the foundation for a genuine international network out of its Seattle-Tacoma hub, with plans to reach roughly a dozen long-haul destinations by 2030. For an airline long associated with domestic West Coast routes, that is a notable shift in ambition, and it is the widebody cabin, not just the route map, doing the heavy lifting to convince premium flyers to give the airline a look.
Inside the Elevate Ascent Suite
The hard product is built around the Elevate Ascent seat, the same seat platform showing up on the newest 787s at American and United, which gives Alaska a business class suite that can credibly sit alongside bigger network carriers. All 34 pods sit in a staggered 1-2-1 arrangement behind a sliding privacy door, so every passenger reaches the aisle without climbing over a neighbor, and the seat folds down into a bed that stretches roughly six feet.
Design details lean into a West Coast aesthetic, with white marble-look tops, light wood paneling and teal accents replacing Hawaiian's original branding. Each suite includes an 18-inch high-definition entertainment screen loaded with well over a thousand movies and shows, along with wireless charging, USB-C ports and a universal power outlet. Starlink Wi-Fi is not yet installed, but Alaska has said it expects to add the service across the fleet by fall 2027, with free access planned for its Atmos Rewards members.
Dining Built Around a Chef's Table
Alaska brought in Seattle chef Brady Ishiwata Williams to help design a signature entree for the cabin, a locally sourced short rib dish served as part of a multi-course menu that also leans on destination-specific plates, such as pasta carbonara on the Rome route and a gochujang chicken dish with banchan on flights to Seoul. Service opens with a cheese and charcuterie board and closes, ahead of arrival, with a meal built around the destination, including a full English breakfast on flights into London.
The beverage list favors West Coast producers, pouring Roederer sparkling wine alongside regional wines and Portland's Stumptown coffee. The most talked-about addition, though, is a dessert cart that lets passengers build their own sundae from Salt & Straw's ice cream flavors, a partnership with the Portland-based scoop shop that has quickly become a signature of the new cabin.
Where the New Cabin Flies First
Seattle to Rome was the first route to get the new Suites cabin this spring, with Seattle to Seoul following shortly after. London and Reykjavik picked up the product next, and Alaska has said additional European routes and its Tokyo service will see the cabin later in 2026 as more of the transferred 787-9s finish their refresh.
For travelers who plan their trips around the cabin rather than just the destination, moves like this are worth watching closely, since a carrier's first real widebody suite tends to shape its premium reputation for years. Whichever airline you ultimately book, that same instinct, chasing the cabin that makes a long flight feel shorter, is exactly the mindset Primaris Airlines flies for every day. Fly with us and let the seat do some of the trip planning for you.
What Makes the New Alaska Suite Stand Out
Alaska packed several distinct touches into its first true long-haul business class product.
- Sliding Suite Doors: All 34 suites close for privacy, a first for Alaska's business cabin.
- Elevate Ascent Seat: The same seat platform used on the newest American and United 787s.
- Filson Bedding: A collaboration with Filson supplies the mattress pad, pillows and duvet.
- Salt & Straw Dessert Cart: Passengers build their own sundae from Portland's Salt & Straw flavors.
- Chef's Table Entree: Seattle chef Brady Ishiwata Williams designed a locally sourced short rib dish.
- Route-Specific Menus: Pasta carbonara on Rome flights, gochujang chicken with banchan to Seoul.
- Stumptown Coffee and West Coast Wines: Beverage service draws from Pacific Northwest producers.
- Starlink Wi-Fi, Coming Fall 2027: Free for Atmos Rewards members once installed fleet-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which aircraft carries Alaska Airlines' new business class suite?
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that Alaska inherited from its Hawaiian Airlines merger, now rebranded with Alaska's own crews, design and service.
How many suites are on each aircraft?
Each 787-9 carries 34 enclosed pods set up in a staggered one-two-one pattern, so every seat can reach the aisle on its own.
Which routes have the new cabin so far?
Seattle to Rome and Seattle to Seoul launched first, followed by London and Reykjavik, with Tokyo and additional European routes planned for later in 2026.
When will Wi-Fi be available in the new suites?
Alaska has said it expects Starlink Wi-Fi across the fleet by fall 2027, with free access planned for Atmos Rewards members.
Sources
- Alaska Airlines' New 787 Business Class Suite Experience Unveiled — One Mile at a Time
- How Alaska Airlines' New Business Class Suites Stack Up Against Delta One & United Polaris In 2026 — Simple Flying
- Alaska Suites Business Class Review — From the Tray Table