play_arrow
Anthony’s Philippines: “It was an Adventure” Jake Redman
play_arrow
Anthony’s Amazing Singapore: “Toe Dipping” Point of SE Asia Jake Redman
play_arrow
Anthony’s Ireland: Hellman’s Makes Ketchup Too Jake Redman
play_arrow
Dallas, Disney and Deals. Our 100th Episode. Jake Redman
play_arrow
AirBnB Cancels Some Cancelling & Jake Thinks Charlotte is a Beach Town Jake Redman
For a long time, Alaska Airlines was the cool, reliable neighbor who always had a spare jumper and knew the best hiking trails. They were the masters of the West Coast, the kings of the “milk run” through the Panhandle, and the airline you flew when you wanted a consistent, friendly experience across the lower 48. But as we hit the spring of 2026, that neighbor has officially traded in the hiking boots for a bespoke suit and a passport full of stamps.
To celebrate their fifth anniversary as a member of the ‘one’world alliance, Alaska Airlines is finally pulling the curtain back on their most ambitious project to date: the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. These 787s were originally ordered by Hawaiian Airlines before the merger, and they now fly in Alaska’s new “Aurora” livery as the combined company starts to think a lot bigger. This isn’t just a new plane; it’s a total identity shift. Alaska is moving from being a dominant domestic powerhouse to a serious international contender, and they’re doing it with a distinctly Seattle flair. We’re talking about privacy doors, upgraded dining, and enough local partnerships to make a Pacific Northwest native quietly nod in approval.
The biggest headline here is the hardware. For years, Alaska’s “First Class” was a very comfortable, albeit standard, domestic recliner seat. It was great for a four-hour hop to Cabo, but not exactly what you’d want for ten hours over the Atlantic. The new 787-9 Dreamliner changes the game with a dedicated International Business Class cabin featuring a 1-2-1 configuration.
What does that mean for you? It means direct aisle access for every single passenger. No more performing a mid-air hurdles routine over your neighbor’s legs just to use the restroom. But the real kicker is the privacy doors. Each suite is a self-contained pod, allowing you to shut out the rest of the world. It’s a level of seclusion that puts them right in the ring with the heavy hitters of the industry. If you want to see how this stacks up against some of the European veterans, you might find our look at Swiss A330-300 Business Class vs. Lufthansa a helpful reference for what the competition looks like.
Inside the suite, the tech is just as impressive. We’re looking at 18-inch HD touchscreens that actually respond when you touch them, no more stabbing at the screen like you’re trying to kill a bug. And for those of us who can’t unplug even when we’re over the North Pole, Alaska has announced that Starlink Wi-Fi will be rolled out across the Dreamliner fleet by Fall 2026. Alaska has said it’ll be the fastest Wi‑Fi in the sky — and for those of us who’ve white-knuckled a 2% upload bar over the Atlantic, that’s genuinely exciting.
If you’ve flown Alaska more than once, you know the “Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter.” It is, quite literally, a cult classic. People plan their entire day around securing one of those Tillamook-heavy boxes. For the international Dreamliner routes, Alaska knew they couldn’t just serve the same plastic tray and call it a day.
Instead, they’ve given the icon a massive glow-up. The international version is a full-blown charcuterie board curated by Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams of acclaimed Tomo restaurant. We’re talking artisan meats, locally sourced preserves, and artisan Pacific Northwest crackers. It’s a sophisticated nod to their roots, proving that you can take the airline out of Seattle, but you can’t take the Seattle out of the airline.
The rest of the menu follows suit, focusing on “West Coast Modern” cuisine. It’s light, fresh, and surprisingly gourmet for airline food. And because no meal is complete without a little indulgence, they’ve partnered with Salt & Straw for dessert service. That part feels very on-brand for Alaska: local, familiar, and just a little more fun than the usual airline brownie.
Alaska has always been vocal about supporting its hometown heroes, but the 787-9 takes this to a whole new level. When you settle into your suite for a long-haul flight to London or Seoul, you won’t be wrapping yourself in a scratchy, polyester blanket. Instead, you’ll find custom bedding designed by Filson. Known for their rugged, high-end outdoor gear, Filson has created a sleep system that feels more like a cozy cabin than a pressurized metal tube.
The Filson partnership extends to the amenity kits as well. These aren’t your typical “use once and throw away” bags. They are durable, stylish, and packed with high-quality essentials. Inside, you’ll find Salt & Stone skincare products, plus PATH water bottles. Alaska was one of the first airlines to ditch plastic water bottles in favor of infinitely recyclable aluminum, and seeing the PATH bottles in Business Class is a nice touch that stays true to their sustainability goals. If you want the official partnership details, Alaska has also shared more on the Filson collaboration.
And because a long flight requires a serious caffeine intervention, Stumptown Coffee Roasters is providing the beans. No grand claims needed there. It’s just a smart local coffee partnership, and that’s enough.
The rollout of these new suites coincides with the fifth anniversary of Alaska joining the ‘one’world alliance. For years, skeptics wondered if a primarily domestic carrier could really play nice with global giants like British Airways or Cathay Pacific. By launching routes from Seattle to Rome, Seoul, and London starting in Spring 2026, Alaska isn’t just joining the conversation. They’re trying to lead it.
Seattle is the obvious center of gravity here. It’s a major tech hub, a strong premium market, and a place where travelers have gotten used to flying far without first zig-zagging through Los Angeles or San Francisco. Alaska can now funnel passengers from all over the U.S. into Seattle and then send them to Europe or Asia in a product that actually feels built for the job.
The Rome route carries a little extra symbolism too. CEO Ben Minicucci has talked openly about his Italian roots, so Seattle-to-Rome is more than just another route map pin. It also drops Alaska directly into competition with Delta on a high-profile transatlantic market, which makes the timing even more interesting.
As a bonus, Alaska is also adding Reykjavík service from Seattle on the 737 MAX 8. That’s obviously a different experience from the 787-9 Dreamliner, but it shows how serious the airline is about turning Seattle into a broader international gateway instead of a one-off long-haul experiment.
It’s a bold transition. Moving from a friendly regional carrier into a true global player is no small feat. Alaska’s tail image is an Alaska Native person, and as the brand scales up, the airline still seems determined to keep the parts that made people like it in the first place. That matters. This isn’t just about adding a privacy door and calling it a day. It’s about making long-haul flying feel recognizably Alaska.
When the first Dreamliner takes off for Rome in April 2026, the experience is designed to be seamless. From the moment you board, the cabin lighting is tuned to reduce jet lag, mimicking the natural progression of the sun. The 787 is already known for its higher humidity and lower cabin altitude, which means you arrive feeling less like a piece of dried fruit and more like a human being.
The seat itself transitions into a fully flat bed at the touch of a button. With the Filson duvet and the privacy of the suite door, it’s about as close as you can get to a real bedroom in the sky. If you’re traveling with a partner, the middle seats have a divider that can be lowered, allowing you to share the experience and maybe steal a bite or two from the snack tray.
For the tech-savvy, the 18-inch screens are loaded with a massive library of content, but the real draw will be the Starlink connectivity. Being able to message friends, post to social media, or even stream your favorite shows without lag is the ultimate luxury in 2026.
There’s also a loyalty angle here. Alaska says Atmos Titanium members will be eligible for upgrades on these international flights, and business-class redemptions are expected to start around 95,000 points in some markets. That’s not exactly pocket change, but for a true long-haul suite with a door, it’s a number a lot of points nerds will immediately start trying to game.
If you want a closer look at how the cabin actually performs, The Points Guy already has a detailed review of the 787-9 business class cabin — flown under the Hawaiian Airlines banner before the rebrand, but the same hardware. That’s useful context because this isn’t just a concept render story anymore. The product is real, and the expectations are now very real too.
Alaska Airlines is clearly finished playing it safe. The 787-9 Dreamliner is a statement piece. It tells the world that you don’t have to strip out personality to build a credible premium product. Whether it’s the Filson kits, the Seattle-heavy partnerships, or the upgraded version of the Fruit & Cheese idea, the whole thing feels more thoughtful than flashy.
As they move into this new era of international travel, it’ll be interesting to see how the ‘one’world partners and rivals react. Alaska is bringing a very specific West Coast vibe to the alliance, and if these new suites are any indication, the neighborly airline is making a serious run at becoming a global one.
When does Alaska Airlines launch the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service?
The first high-profile international Dreamliner flights are tied to Alaska’s Spring 2026 expansion from Seattle, including Rome, Seoul, and London.
Will Alaska’s Boeing 787-9 have Starlink Wi-Fi?
Yes. Alaska has said Starlink will roll out across the Dreamliner fleet by Fall 2026, which should make the onboard internet a lot more useful than the usual “maybe your message sends, maybe it doesn’t” situation.
What is the Alaska 787-9 Business Class configuration?
The international Business Class cabin uses a 1-2-1 layout, giving every passenger direct aisle access and a suite with a privacy door.
Did these 787s come from Hawaiian Airlines?
Yes. The 787-9s were originally ordered by Hawaiian Airlines before the merger, and they’re now part of Alaska’s long-haul international push under the new Aurora branding.
Alaska’s jump into the long-haul international game is a massive shift for the brand. Does this Boeing 787-9 setup make you more likely to book Alaska over Delta or another legacy carrier? And if you’ve flown one already, was the Seattle-style onboard experience actually worth the hype? Share your thoughts and your best Alaska Airlines travel stories in the comments below!
Modhop Host & Founder Jake Redman brings years of global exploration and travel tips to the podcast and our videos at Modhop. Jake is also a Producer and Host for SiriusXM.
THE WEEKLY MODHOP TSA wait times 2026: Yup, were still hitting 4+ hours at some major airports due to the DHS shutdown. Plus, hotels leaning into “hushpitality,” and airlines getting […]
Post comments
This post currently has no comments.