Alaska Airlines' new 'first class' (okay, business class) seat

Alaska Airlines has pulled back the curtains on the airlines' new domestic first class seat – in a cabin which the rest of the world knows better as 'business class' – which will be fitted to the airline's 32 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, due from 2018, and retrofitted to 11 Boeing 737-800 jets.

Based on the model CL4710 seat from Recaro, the design "features sculpted cushions that draw style inspiration from sports cars" and has been finished in a sombre business-like grey leather and cloth...

... rather than the caramel of Recaro's catalogue version, with several other modifications in place as well – although all we have to show right now is the base model Recaro seat.

“When you have a guest in your flight for four to five hours, that seat is everything," says Sangita Woerner, vice president of marketing at Alaska Airlines. "We want to make sure they’re comfortable and have enough personal space."

Premium seats are "a big deal" for airlines, Woerner stresses. "It's like a bed for a hotel."

Creature comforts for corporate high-flyers include fold-out footrests...

... a tablet holder built into the in-arm table...

... pockets and cubbyholes on the side and in front of the seats (Woerner says that ample pocket space was a commonly-requested feature from customers)...

... cocktail table trays, which Alaska Airlines has converted into recessed cup-holders...

... plus easily accessible AC and USB charging ports at the front of the seat.

Each seat is 20-21 inches wide and will reportedly deliver an additional five inches of legroom over Alaska's current first class seats.

Alaska Airlines – which earlier this year bought Virgin America a landmark US$2.6 billion deal and will move to consolidate the two brands under the existing Alaska Airlines banner – is the first airline to adopt the CL4710, which Recaro says has been in development for two years.

“It’s the optimum. It’s a very comfortable seat with a lot of different features, but it’s also a lightweight seat, which is also important,” espouses Mark Hiller, CEO of Recaro Aircraft Seating.

“Seating is not just about light weight or just about comfort or just about design. It’s really bringing those different things together.”

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.