Fresh off its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines last year, Alaska Airlines is gearing up to announce a “beautiful new international experience” — likely on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliners Hawaiian ordered before the two carriers merged.
The reveal is expected later this year, executives said Monday, moments before Alaska and Hawaiian jointly launched their first long-haul flight to Asia.
The new flagship international Dreamliner experience would presumably include an all-new business-class product and serve as the linchpin of the carrier’s future international growth plans out of its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) home base — plans that include flights to Europe starting next year.
“What you’ll see is all the flights — international flights — out of Seattle, on 787s … and it’ll be operated by Alaska,” CEO Ben Minicucci told TPG in an interview Monday. “It’ll be a fantastic new international look.”
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That’s noteworthy not just because of the prospects of a flashy new international cabin experience on a major U.S. airline, but also because it would be Alaska’s first true wide-body service. After all, it’s Hawaiian Airlines that’s operating the just-launched service from Seattle to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT), as Alaska and Hawaiian maintain separate brands under one corporate structure postmerger.
But gaining access to Hawaiian’s larger twin-aisle jets — and the Dreamliners it’s had on order for several years — was one of the factors that proved enticing for Alaska when it first sought to acquire the Aloha State’s home carrier starting in 2023.
Now, to be clear: It’ll be a little while before passengers see this new international Dreamliner product hit the skies. These planned 787 shifts are contingent on the completion of labor deals, Minicucci said, which could take a year or two.
Hawaiian had plans to receive a total of a dozen Dreamliners. It debuted its first 787 last spring, with a stunning new interior and serious upgrade over its legacy long-haul fleet.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
A330 retrofits coming
Alaska Air Group is also planning an eventual face-lift for the older jets in Hawaiian’s fleet, Minicucci told TPG on Monday.
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The company sees Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s as a continued “niche” in its fleet on Honolulu routes for years to come. But, as I saw on board the Hawaiian-operated inaugural from Seattle to Tokyo, the cabins could use some tender loving care, aside from the free, high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi on board.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Indeed, retrofits for those jets are on Minicucci’s to-do list: “Those interiors,” he said, “will get a makeover in the next few years.” Snarled industry supply chains for seats could throw that timeline into jeopardy, though, he noted.
New loyalty program set for August debut
Alaska also revealed one additional bit of news about the future of its new, joint loyalty program that will encompass both Alaska and Hawaiian. That program will launch in August, Minicucci told TPG.
That figures to be a closely watched reveal, considering Mileage Plan currently offers some of the best sweet spot redemptions of any U.S. airline loyalty program.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
“We’re not going to take anything away,” Minicucci told me — though he couldn’t get into specifics.
I did have to ask: Will the program be called Mileage Plan, or get some sort of new name, a la “Flying Blue” for Air France and KLM, or “Bonvoy” for Marriott’s portfolio of hotels? Minicucci only offered this: “It’ll be uniquely branded with a whole bunch of new features on it.”
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A far more significant development worth watching: what immediate decision, if any, the company makes on its relationship with American Express. At the moment, Amex members can transfer Membership Rewards points to HawaiianMiles, and then shift those miles seamlessly over to Mileage Plan. Earlier this month, I used that tactic to redeem 4,500 Alaska miles for what would have been a pricey last-minute flight.
Alaska executives have previously expressed hesitancy about allowing flexible currency transfers from credit card programs as they dreamed up this new joint loyalty program.
Bilt Rewards Points do currently transfer directly to Alaska at a 1:1 ratio.
A small plane made an emergency landing in Alaska after a loud noise was heard about 20 minutes into the flight, according to one of the nine passengers on board. The pilot reported engine trouble and began searching for a place to land. Helicopters later rescued everyone. Passengers praised the pilot’s experience and quick thinking, crediting him with saving their lives. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.
(Soldotna) – To allow anglers additional harvest opportunity of Kasilof River sockeye salmon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six fish per day and twelve fish in possession; however, no more than two salmon per day and two in possession may be coho salmon, in all portions of the Kasilof River open to salmon fishing. These provisions are effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 26 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026.
The biological escapement goal on the Kasilof River is 140,000-320,000 sockeye salmon. Through June 23, a total of 117,665 sockeye salmon have passed the Kasilof River sonar site. The current escapement of sockeye salmon into the Kasilof River is proceeding at a rate that is projected to exceed the biological escapement goal.
In addition to increasing the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon, ADF&G issued emergency order 2-RS-1-32-26 expanding the area open to the personal use dip net fishery on the Kasilof River.
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For additional information, please contact the Soldotna ADF&G office at (907) 262-9368.
By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire ProtectiononA White Mountain Crewmember feels for any remaining heat along the Rapeseed Fire (#275) outside of Delta Junction on June 24 2026. Photo/ Sam Porter
#222 Granite Fire– The Clackamas Crew joined the Southwest Type 1 Crew and TCC Squad A on the Granite Fire today. The fire is now 85% contained. A thermal detection drone was flown over the fire to identify any remaining heat. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place and will continue tomorrow, meaning aircraft and drones that are not supporting firefighting operations are prohibited from flying over or near the incident. Crews are also checking windrows for remaining heat. Windrows are rows of trees left standing to reduce wind erosion on farmland. Firefighters will pile and burn dead or downed trees, as well as hazard trees with burned roots.
#257 Barley 2 Fire– All personnel have been demobilized from the Barley 2 Fire after it was declared contained and controlled. The fire will remain in monitor status. This will be the last update for this fire unless significant changes occur.
#268 Moosehead Fire– A boat is transporting TCC Squad C to the Moosehead Fire, where they are gridding the interior and checking for any remaining heat.
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The White Mountain T2IA crew stand in an arc, gridding the fire, looking for any smoke or heat. Photo/ Sam Porter
#275 Rapeseed Fire- The Rapeseed Fire is 80% contained. The White Mountain Type 2 Initial Attack Crew is constructing sawline and cold trailing the fire’s edge to locate and extinguish any remaining heat. A Nodwell continues to provide an effective way to transport personnel, equipment, supplies, and water through the remote, sensitive terrain while supporting suppression efforts.
#223 Pogo and #226 Shaw Fires continue to be in monitor status.
Map of Delta Area Fires. Click to download or enlarge
‹ More Firefighters Heading to Ambler for Jade Fire
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR – Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)
Tags: #FireYear2026 #2026AKFIRESEASON, 2026 Alaska Fire Season, Delta, Granite Fire, Moosehead Fire, Pogo Fire, Rapeseed Fire, Shaw Fire
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The White Mountain T2IA crew stand in an arc, gridding the fire, looking for any smoke or heat. Photo/ Sam Porter 100vw, 700px”/><figcaption class=)
Map of Delta Area Fires. Click to download or enlarge
