Alaska Airlines has officially introduced its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, designated as N784HA, which recently emerged from the paint shop at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport. The aircraft showcases the new Aurora livery of Alaska Airlines and departed Fort Worth on January 6, 2024, landing in Seattle in under four hours. This aircraft marks a significant milestone for Alaska Airlines as it transitions into long-haul international operations.
Originally, N784HA was ordered by Hawaiian Airlines, intended to be the airline’s fifth Boeing 787. Following Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian in 2025, the airline took over Hawaiian’s existing orders for the 787, along with plans to transfer the Hawaiian-operated 787s to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Hawaiian Airlines will now rely solely on the Airbus A330-200 for its long-haul services.
Strategic Expansion of Long-Haul Operations
The newly painted Boeing 787-9 is set to enter service on January 8, 2024, with its inaugural flight from Seattle to Tokyo-Narita. This route has recently been served by Hawaiian’s Boeing 787-9 and previously utilized the Airbus A330-200. Alaska Airlines plans to leverage the addition of the 787s to significantly expand its long-haul network from Seattle.
N784HA, equipped with two General Electric GEnx engines and configured with a total of 300 seats, features a two-class layout. The aircraft includes 34 business class suites based on the Elevate Ascent model and 266 economy seats based on the Collins Aspire design. Although Alaska’s 787s will sport a new exterior, the interior will closely resemble those of Hawaiian’s current Boeing 787-9 fleet.
Future Plans and Upgrades
Alaska Airlines has ambitious plans for its fleet, with a total of 12 new Boeing 787-9s on order, in addition to four 787-9s currently operated by Hawaiian Airlines and five Boeing 787-10s. This substantial investment aims to boost Alaska’s long-haul operational capacity in response to competition from Delta Air Lines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
In the coming years, Alaska Airlines will also retrofit Hawaiian’s Airbus A330-200 fleet to include a premium economy cabin, with upgrades set to begin in 2028. While the 787-9s will initially lack Wi-Fi, Alaska has committed to outfitting its entire mainline fleet with Starlink internet service, which is expected to be installed on the 787s by late 2026.
Alaska Airlines is already offering tickets for routes from Seattle to Tokyo-Narita and Seoul, with plans to introduce services to London-Heathrow and Rome. As part of its expansion strategy, the airline will establish a Boeing 787 pilot base in spring 2024, paving the way for increased long-haul operations from Seattle.
The introduction of the Boeing 787-9 signifies a pivotal moment in Alaska Airlines’ strategy to enhance its international presence, providing travelers with more options while competing effectively in a challenging aviation market.
