Treat yourself: More upgrades with Alaska Airlines’ new Premium Class

Alaska Airlines premium class

Now, it’s easier than ever to treat yourself to a little something extra. Today Alaska Airlines customers have the option to upgrade to its new Premium Class section, providing more opportunity for customers to upgrade to an elevated onboard experience.

The Premium Class experience will include seating with four more inches of legroom. In addition, Premium Class customers will enjoy priority boarding at the gate and snacks and drinks onboard.

“This will be especially beneficial to our most loyal customers,” said Ryan Butz, Alaska’s managing director of loyalty marketing. “Now our elite Mileage Plan members can enjoy one of their favorite benefits more frequently.”

With the addition of Premium Class, customers with elite status will have access to nearly 150 percent more upgradable seats.

 

Premium Class upgrades range from $15 to 79 per seat, based on the length on the flight, and are available for purchase now for flights departing after January 6, 2017. Alaska Mileage Plan elite members will be automatically upgraded to First and Premium Class when available at no additional charge, including on award travel (beginning Dec. 5).

“As a frequent flyer with Alaska on their longer flights to the East Coast, I love knowing I almost always get the chance to choose additional legroom on my flights. This benefit of my Alaska MVP Gold 75K status keeps me flying Alaska as often as I can,” said Amy Clemetson, an Alaska frequent flier.

Seat configuration for Premium Class will differ depending on the aircraft. Currently, Alaska Airlines’ 737-800, -900, and -900ER aircraft are being retrofitted with new seating. All 737-800s and E175s will have Premium Class by Jan. 5, with all 737-900/900ERs upgraded by the end of 2017. Premium Class will also be available on E175 aircraft.

Aircraft Type First Class seats Premium Class seats Main Cabin seats
737-800 12 30 117
737-900/900ER 16 24 138
E175 12 12 52

Aircraft that do not feature Premium Class will still have options for customers to upgrade to seats with additional legroom in the bulkhead and exit rows.

Alaska Airlines premium class