In a departure from its usual business model, that being the two cabins (economy and business class), Alaska Airlines announced that it will begin offering Premium Economy seating starting in 2016.
Based in Seattle, the airline announced yesterday that this new Premium Class section will offer extra legroom (three to four inches), priority boarding and “additional amenities” (yet to be determined). Upgrading to this Premium Economy seating will be available to elite Alaska Airlines members on a complimentary basis (depending on their status and type of fare purchased). Others will pay a (small) premium for sitting in these sections.
Alaska airlines plans to retrofit 60 planes with Premium Economy seats by the end of 2016 and the remainder of its 737-800, -900 and -900ER fleet by the end of 2017. The airline will also offer Premium Class upgrades on the Embraer E175s operated by its Skywest affiliate.
More on this story from USA Today at this link.
