Alaska Airlines has selected RECARO Aircraft Seating to retrofit its Boeing 737-800 and MAX 8 aircraft with the R2 economy class seat and R5 business class seat. This will include 79 aircraft in the airline’s fleet, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Q4 2024.
“For years, RECARO seats have been synonymous with our industry-leading First Class product,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, Managing Director of Guest Products, Alaska Airlines. “As we continue to grow our premium offerings to meet guest demand, we’re excited to bring on the R5 & R2 seats on our 737-800 and MAX8 aircraft. Packed with features like calf rests and footrests in First Class, to ergonomic device holders and USB-C power throughout the cabin, these new seats are a pillar in our ability to deliver a premium experience to our guests.”
Seating will prioritise passenger comfort with a six-way adjustable headrest and calf rest. It will also feature a BYOD holder integrated into the seat back and USB-C connectivity. In addition, Alaska will transition one row of Economy Class to Premium Class with the assistance of the RECARO Customer Service Team and the modification packages offered.
Retrofitted cabins will also feature the R2, which is a lighter, more modern version of the seat currently in flight and will be equipped with a comfort plus cushion. The R2 with its lightweight-design will allow for a more efficient cabin layout without compromising passenger space. This change will play a role in reducing the cabin weight and support sustainability initiatives of both RECARO and Alaska.
“After 12 years of partnership, we are honoured that Alaska Airlines has once again trusted RECARO Aircraft Seating in elevating the cabin experience with our premium seating solutions,” said Dr Mark Hiller, CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating and RECARO Holding. “Our R2 and R5 seats will also support the commitment of Alaska Airlines to a modern, efficient and eco-friendly fleet.”
Hear more from Alaska Airlines at FTE Global – the “CES of Aviation” – taking place in Los Angeles on 28-30 October 2024. Natalie Bowman, Managing Director, Product & Digital Experience, Alaska Airlines, is speaking in the ‘FTE AI Symposium’ with a case study titled ‘How will Alaska Airlines use AI to increase productivity, transform customer experiences, streamline operations, remove manual toll and drive revenues, and what can it learn from those efforts?’
Kristin Olsen, Director of Product Management, Travel Experience Guest Digital Technology, Alaska Airlines, is joining the ‘Digital Identity & Biometrics Symposium – building compelling business cases for a global industry roll-out’.
Meanwhile, Amanda Matlock, Principal Product Manager for Accessibility, Alaska Airlines, is participating in the ‘FTE Accessibility Symposium’.
