Alaska Airlines just told everyone how seats will be named and sold across its combined Hawaiian/Alaska operation going forward. The words sound simple. First Class, Premium Class, Main Cabin Preferred, Main Cabin, and Saver. For Hawaii travelers, the meaning is anything but simple.
This is the most concrete sign yet of how Hawaiian’s cabins will be translated as the two airlines finish their back-end alignment and Hawaiian steps into oneworld alliance membership in spring 2026. It affects where you sit, what you pay to sit there, which lounges you can enter, and how your status actually works on the day you fly.
What changed today, and why it matters.
Alaska published a plain-English guide to its seat options that also functions as a decoder tool for Hawaii. It spells out the entire logic for the front rows of economy, the rebranding of extra-legroom seats, and the rules that attach to the most restrictive fares.
None of that is merely cosmetic. It is the structure for how upgrades, seat selection, boarding priority, and even customer expectations will be handled once Hawaiian’s systems are fully integrated into Alaska’s and the alliance switch also flips on.
Practically, it means the same flight between the mainland and Honolulu could be described and sold differently depending on whether you book it before or after the systems switch over. If you plan spring or summer 2026, that timing may still matter more than usual.
Main Cabin Preferred is about position and time, not inches.
There has always been a psychological and practical advantage to sitting toward the front of economy. You board earlier in many cases, you have a better shot at overhead bin space, and you get off the aircraft faster at Maui, Lihue, Kona, or Honolulu.
Alaska is now labeling and upselling that zone clearly as Main Cabin Preferred. Expect Hawaiian’s unlabeled front-of-cabin economy seats to map into this concept as the brands standardize.
What it does not buy you is more legroom. The seat itself is usually the same. You are paying for better placement rather than more legroom. For many Hawaii trips, especially when rental car lines are long or arrivals are late, that trade can still be worth it, but expectations matter.
As one reader put it, “what used to be a comfortable coach seat is no longer available; to get one, you must pay extra,” and another noted that even near the front, “the overhead bins were already full,” which is exactly why position is being monetized.
Premium Class is the successor to Extra Comfort on narrow-bodies.
If you have favored those rows on Hawaiian’s A321neo that offer extra pitch and early boarding, Premium Class is the new name you’ll see more and more across the combined network. The promise is more legroom than standard economy, priority boarding, and complimentary alcoholic drinks on most longer routes. It is essentially the Extra Comfort idea with Alaska’s own service twist.
Pricing will move dynamically with demand and elite tier, as Alaska has long done. That is different from the simpler add-on methods many Hawaiian loyalists remember. The experience will also still depend on the aircraft you board.
A premium seat on a narrow-body to Kona is not the same as a premium seat on a widebody headed for JFK, and the brands will be selling both under one name. A reader told us, “I am on social security and cannot afford to pay more. I worry about blood clots sitting that long,” which is a reminder that upsells can feel like needs rather than wants on longer crossings.
Saver may be the one place Hawaiian flyers gain added flexibility.
Saver is Alaska’s most restrictive economy product. Even so, Alaska has marketed a partial-credit option for cancellations made well before departure that is more forgiving than the basic products many Hawaiian travelers have learned to avoid. The specifics can vary by timing and itinerary, but the concept is clear. Saver is still limited on advance seat selection and change options, yet it may not be the total dead end people have rightly assumed if plans shift far out.
For island trips booked months ahead, that can be the difference between losing everything and keeping some value for a later trip. It will be important to watch how consistently this appears on mixed itineraries once more Hawaiian-branded segments are sold within the shared Alaska-based framework, since clarity on rules presented in advance tends to drive fewer surprises at the airport.
Upgrades, lounges, and the Atmos math that decides everything.
Atmos status has already been mapped to oneworld tiers when you fly alliance partners. Gold equates to oneworld Sapphire. Platinum and Titanium equate to oneworld Emerald. That is today. What changes at the cutover is that Hawaiian-branded flights themselves will sit inside oneworld.
That is when oneworld members begin earning and redeeming across Hawaiian metal, upgrade logic aligns across both brands, and lounge access stops depending on which logo is painted on the tail that you are flying on.
If you have asked why your oneworld status has not opened certain doors at Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue, or Kona yet, this is why. Hawaiian has not joined the alliance yet. The target is spring 2026, timed to when the single reservation system is fully in place. Until then, benefits can feel inconsistent on the ground, even when the marketing sounds aligned.
For upgrades, the shift that matters is predictability. The legacy fixed-price mileage jumps that sometimes felt like a steal are largely gone. The combined operation favors dynamic, spend-sensitive upgrades, with priority given to higher tiers. That will feel familiar to Alaska elites and like a culture shock to Hawaiian faithful who remember more predictable boxes to check. If you are planning milestone trips around upgrades, this is where reading the fare class fine print will matter most.
Screens, power, and pitch. Comfort still depends on the tail you board.
Alaska’s seat language spends more time defining zones than talking about entertainment. That may be telltale. The combined philosophy leans into streaming to your own device, with power outlets and USB ports expanding, but without a promise of a screen at every seat.
Readers have already flagged that some Hawaii flights are quietly losing seatback screens, starting with those that have transitioned from Hawaiian metal to Alaska’s. At the same time, Hawaiian’s widebodies still stand apart on certain routes with their older yet built-in systems.
If that matters to you on a six-hour crossing, the airline and aircraft may still matter more than the seat label. The same goes for pitch and seat type. Alaska’s domestic First is a generous recliner by numbers on many routes, but it does not go fully flat, and it never has.
Hawaiian’s widebody First does on A330 even as the product is sub-standard compared with other airlines. The result is a split comfort reality that will persist into 2026 or longer, even as the names on the seat map become uniform, and as one reader cautioned, “any loss of personal space is a step in the wrong direction.”
The timeline that actually helps you plan.
From now into early 2026, Atmos perks work on oneworld partners, Hawaiian-branded flights remain outside oneworld, and seat names will begin appearing in more places as systems are staged for integration.
Alaska’s Saver concept continues to appear on Alaska’s most restrictive fares, which many consider a meaningful difference from other airlines’ basic economy products. If you are booking mixed itineraries, watch how benefits are described during checkout and on confirmation pages, since that is where any mismatch could surface.
In spring 2026, Hawaiian is expected to join oneworld as the reservation systems become entirely Alaska-based. That is when oneworld earning and redemption on Hawaiian flip on, lounge reciprocity standardizes across the network, and the new seat names become the operational inevitability even if your aircraft still wears the Hawaiian Pualani brand on a Hawaii route.
If you are planning a big summer 2026 family trip, that is the date to circle because it affects both how you book and how your benefits will be honored.
What we will watch next.
We will track how Main Cabin Preferred is priced on Hawaiian-branded flights compared with Alaska-operated Hawaii routes as more Hawaii seat maps display the new zones. We will watch whether Saver’s early-cancellation credit appears clearly and is honored. We will also monitor how lounge access is communicated and enforced at Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue, and Kona during the transition, and how quickly seatback screens either retreat or remain on Hawaiian legacy widebodies versus Alaska narrow-bodies on core mainland routes, especially as planned A330 refurbs commence.
Bottom line for spring and summer 2026 bookings.
If you are planning travel next summer, the cutover date may matter. Bookings made now still live under Hawaiian’s legacy rules until the system merge and alliance join happen.
Book after the cutover, and you enter Alaska’s world for upgrades, seat naming, and oneworld earning and redemption, even if your plane still says Hawaiian.
The names are converging today, and the experience will follow as the systems do too, though a reader summed up the mood simply as “nothing ruins your Aloha spirit faster than being uncomfortable, unfed, and mistreated.”
Have you flown both Alaska Premium and Hawaiian Extra Comfort to Hawaii this year? What actually feels different at this point? The service. The legroom. The boarding and the bins. The price you paid to sit there.
Your shared experiences help other readers book smarter as these cabins begin the final integration.
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To Alaska leadership — and maybe Joe Sprague if this reaches you:
We see the play: Alaska wanted Hawaiian’s widebodies without more debt. Seattle is the new center, and Hawaiian’s brand is being erased. That’s your choice … but please understand: Hawaiian wasn’t just an airline. It was a presence.
I fly Hawaii–Asia–Europe every 3 months. Hawaiian built trust on those routes. Alaska doesn’t carry that emotional weight. Not yet. You had a chance to own the Pacific with a brand travelers actually love. That’s not easy to rebuild once lost.
Even if Joe Sprague is stepping back as planned, someone in your circle should pause and ask: are we really gaining, or just erasing value too fast?
Don’t burn the canoe you’re trying to cross the ocean with. Keep the door open.
Lets cut to the chase for the ignorant. Alaska bought Hawaiian for the big planes because they are 6 billion in debt and did not want to purchase new widebody planes to increase the debt. They want to be a international player out of Seattle and Hawaii is an afterthought.
They dont care about the West coast routes from major hubs SD,LAX,SF to Hawaii. Their priority is Seattle based. They are stripping and reassigning planes for the Alaska brand.
The foolish leadership to destroy a brand that millions used because it being just that: “Hawaiian Airlines” is there stupidity. Alaska will never draw the vacationers to Hawaii or Asia with Alaska brand. They had a chance to own the Pacific and profit from the brand of Aloha and all of Asia market.
Instead they think they can do it from Seattle. Stupidity to the highest degree. Alaska Airlines will never be Delta or United.
Hidden financial trouble will be revealed in future.
Never should have been approved to acquire Hawaiian.
The only time I’ll ever fly on Hawaiian is inter-island. I have no intention ever to fly Hawaiian/Alaska out of state. Keep the one free bag in Huakai, and I think that is all that will matter to me. Southwest is still an inter-island option, though not as attractive as it once was. Dynamic pricing will always suck.
Booked thru Costco to Cook Islands on Hawaiian Air, now they changed to 737-900 so we now have 2 seats in a 3 row instead of the Dreamliner 2-4-2 configuration. It also now has 2 confirmation numbers one for Hawaiian and one for Alaska same trip, so you have to navigate back and forth for the same trip for seats. And I also now have a new frequent flyer number for Atmos and lost 73,453 miles from Hawaiian. Calling is a 2 hour plus wait to make sure i haven’t lost the miles. I hope they get their act together.
I sincerely believe you are grossly confused. When are you flying? HA has always flown the A321NEO to RAR. Not sure RAR can even handle a 787…..
We’re going to RAR for the 2nd time in 3 weeks and it’s on a A321NEO just like the last time.
You didn’t lose your Hawaiian Miles. They were the converted to ATMOS points.
By the way, the Dreamliner is 3-3-3 in coach.
It seems this message only confuses the older traveler. What stands out is less of the affordable seats and the rest can be twice the price. It seems I’ll be priced out of flying and just getting on other carriers. HaLaska gives more to the rich and less for the rest.
it’s all a bunch of BS. Hawaiian Airused to be a class act. Alaskan has brought down to mediocrity.
When we flew last year, it was a cluster f…. flight delayed, then cancelled, out of Kona. 2 day delay with no service at airport getting new flights.. we were on our own with our phones. Terrible service by Alaskan Air.
So you had one bad flight, which could have been caused by any number of reasons beyond the airline’s control. What do you think should have happened? The airline can’t just magically snap their fingers and produce a new aircraft.
HA was a failing airline and the devil you know (AS) is always better than the devil you don’t.
Also it’s Alaska Airlines, not Alaskan Air.
Hawaiian Airlines died in 2019, its last profitable year. Everything you experienced in the past is irrelevant today because it wasn’t sustainable.
True, but a bit simplistic. 2019 was the last profitable year, same as for half the world’s airlines before the planet shut down. Hawaiian wasn’t stupid; it flew straight into a perfect storm — COVID, SWA’s fare war, and a mild post-Dunkerly leadership drift. If anything, the seeds were sown earlier: Dunkerly’s high-thrust international expansion left the company over-exposed when the engines flamed out. And while the feds floated the majors, the State of Hawai‘i — as we all watched painfully — mostly focused on keeping its own bureaucracy aloft. No local lifeline, just the usual reminders to ‘fly safe.’
As someone who flies between Hawaii, Japan/Korea, and Europe every three months, I deeply appreciate Hawaiian’s *Extra Comfort* product. It strikes a rare balance: a humane seating configuration (2-4-2) and an affordable upgrade path that doesn’t force you into the price or 2x carbon footprint (!!!) of lie-flat business class. (As an avid ocean swimmer, I can’t help but notice the degradation to our reefs over the last 10 years.)
On most of the international carriers I fly — ANA, Lufthansa, Cathay, Etihad, JAL, Finnair — Premium Economy is priced so close to Business Class that I almost never buy it. I either wait for lighter flights or (reluctantly) fly Business, even though I try to avoid it due to its 2× climate impact.
If you must replace Hawaiian’s Extra Comfort, please price it closer to Economy than to lie-flat Business. If you do that, I’ll adopt it. Gladly and consistently.
While this may be causing dismay to longtime Hawaiian flyers, it should come as no surprise, as Hawaiian was a failing airline and was only a month or two from going under, had Alaska not come to the rescue.
There will eventually be a new equilibrium, and the flying public will eventually get used to it. Re-hashing what once was is utterly pointless. One way or another, it was never going to continue the way things were going.
re: Hawaiian Cabin Changes
Notice that the announcements are all about the new premium offerings and little being said about what will happen with “standard” economy in the upcoming A330 refurb. And probably for good reason. Look for the “new” A330 to be first class in the forward cabin, a mix perhaps of some first class plus premium economy in the middle cabin, but they probably are saving the worst for last as the rear cabin most likely will go high density, as in 3/3/3 replacing the current 2/4/2 configuration. Some foreign carriers already are 3/3/3 for standard economy on the A330. Never say never……
What do they call first class nowadays ?
I fly both Alaska and Hawaiian narrow body mainland flights often. Both of their first class sections are similar. Behind first class, I think Alaska is better in the premium seats vs. Hawaiian Extra Comfort. Alaska’s pre-order food menu is pretty good. Hawaii offers a free kind of hot pocket type meal, but not so good, in my opinion. I’d rather pay for something I choose for food. Premium seats themselves are pretty much the same. Hawaii and Alaska both charge similar prices for those premium or extra comfort seats.
Alaska’s bring your own screen is good and free. I use a Samsung tablet and have a lot of choices on Alaska, more than Hawaiian. I also download at home and enjoy my videos that way.
Too bad the wide body flights to the west coast seem to be dwindling.
All correct Steve-O, but don’t forget the biggest difference between Alaska’s Premium seats and Hawaiian Extra Comfort seats is that alcohol and a snack are included with that Premium class. I was surprised when I booked Hawaiian Extra Comfort for about the same price Alaska charges, and all I got was that crappy hot pocket which I threw out after a bite, and that I had to pay for my alcohol! Shame on Alaska for screwing their elites by forcing us to fly Hawaiian metal and lose our upgrade benefits, instead we get to bid on upgrading to FC or login 24 hours before your flight to see what you get! I don’t understand why so many people are crying about Alaska taking over Hawaiian, when Alaska’s product is so much better.
So far I’ve only booked one Hawaiian flight and gotten an Alaska jet but it’s obvious when booking since the aircraft is a 737 Max 8, and was labeled, yes in fine print, “operated by Alaska Airlines”, I’m not going to count that as then pulling a fast one. Alaska’s narrow body first is much better than HAs had been for years, better food hands down and comparable or better service. Alaska’s premium, better. Their buy ahead of on board are better than most airlines. Alaska’s lack of IFE, that’s another story. WiFi can be dicey to get connected for some but it usually works alright. Once you do there is lots to choose from, not than you get on most airlines IFE. I’m going to assume that going forward all the widebody jets will retain and get new in seat IFE when refurbished. As for the A33s going 3-3-3, Alaska isn’t a low cost charter bus and very few airlines go that route on the 330. They seek to be premium and high density economy is not premium.
I just went to the Alaska website to see how the seats are arranged for the different classes and you must put a flight in your cart. I did that for First Class and after seeing the seats I wanted to see Premium Economy. No Go! I would have to start all over again. Plus the auto fill fields that populated were not correct. I do not live in Zimbabwe. A study in complete frustration!!
Use seatmaps.com or seatguru.com to see seating.
I want to share my recent switch and bait with Alaska. Checking on flights from Lih to Oak I found I could book a flight out for 10K points and a flight back for same. Round trip was the same—20K points so I booked it. Main cabin-refundable.
Decided to cancel return flight (which you now have to call in for and good luck finding the right #)
I was told I would only be refunded 8K points and pay a cancellation fee of $99. What happened to refundable? They pointed out that since May 2025 flights are no longer free to cancel. Also, I really only got refunded 2500 points and the outgoing flight was rebooked and switched to 17500 points. None of this was mentioned in the phone call. I called them back and they said they were refunding me the $99. Would that have happened had I not called back? Probably not. I would have been better off not turning up for the return flight.
All is not as it seems when you make a reservation.
Alaska Airlines’ recent policy and service adjustments risk eroding trust among their most frequent Hawaiʻi travelers, many of whom value straightforward, dependable experiences without excessive fees or arbitrary changes. By shifting away from what made them a preferred carrier, Alaska may unintentionally create openings for Southwest to strengthen its interisland dominance and for United to capture more mainland traffic. In competitive markets, loyalty is built on consistency, transparency, and respect for customer preferences. If routine amenities start to feel like paid extras and service reliability wavers, travelers will pivot to carriers that meet their expectations without compromise. With Southwest offering stable interisland service, Mokulele filling niche local routes, and United maintaining steady mainland operations, Alaska should remember that in Hawaiʻi’s tight-knit travel community, goodwill can be lost far faster than it can be earned.
Alaska Airlines already has a straightforward and dependable experience.
Saver, Main, Main Cabin Preferred, Premium Class, First Class are all standard in the airline industry (with slightly different names).
I don’t understand how changing the name to match Alaska makes it any less straightforward.
Southwest’s interisland service is far from stable in my experience. Any mishap in the lower 48 means cancelled or delayed flights. They stopped having water/juice service on interisland flights! That’s enough reason for me to choose Hawaiian/Alaska
Will promotional or 3rd party sites be listing their prices on saver type seats or basic economy? You mean there might be an up charge just to get into the economy main cabin. With all these seat identification changes I suppose the next step is to modify the free/miles programs seat redemption points costs to a more extreme level. Sorry sales or promotional pricing for Hawaii is on a limited supply or next to not available.
All this hand wringing over what seat you might get has a simple solution.
Just pay for the seat you want.
Alaska is certainly changing all the rules for the benefit of profit and screwing the people of Hawaii that have flown Hawaiian Airlines all their lives. As a frequent traveler between Hawaii and the mainland this is really Bad news
Don’t blame Alaska for “screwing” you. Blame Hawaiian for not being able to maintain a profitable airline to serve your needs. At least Alaska stepped in and ponied up to keep flights flying to and from the islands and even expanding partnerships. Any change in what we are used to always requires adjustments. Think glass half full.
Agreed, Renee. Hawaiian isn’t the same anymore Alaska is just looking for profits. I predict the Hawaiian name will be gone by the end of the decade. I’m currently on my final vacation to Hawaii, then my boycott of Alaska begins!
The purpose of a corporation is to make money (profits) for its shareholders. That’s what HA was incapable of doing. They were going bankrupt and the entire operation was not sustainable. What is so hard to understand?
Of course they are looking for profits. Profits are the sole reason a publicly traded corporation exists.