Alaska Airlines Enhances Seattle-Tokyo Route with Hawaiians Dreamliner

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are set to elevate the travel experience on their Seattle-Tokyo route, beginning in January. Hawaiian Airlines will introduce its brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner to operate flights between Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Narita Airport (NRT). This upgrade marks a significant improvement from the older Airbus A330 currently servicing the route.

The transition to the Dreamliner will provide passengers with a modern cabin experience, featuring business-class suites that offer enhanced comfort and privacy. This shift not only improves the overall travel experience but also positions Alaska Air Group—parent company of both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines—more competitively against rival Delta Air Lines on these crucial transpacific flights.

However, this enhancement comes with a caveat. A spokesperson for Hawaiian Airlines confirmed that one of its existing Dreamliners will be reassigned from another route to facilitate the upgrade on the Seattle-Tokyo service.

Since merging late last year, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines have been working to establish a global gateway at Seattle, which serves as Alaska’s home base. I had the opportunity to witness the launch of their long-haul service to Tokyo in May, and while it was an exciting milestone, the A330’s older seating and configuration left much to be desired compared to the new Dreamliner experience.

Beginning in early January and running through mid-April, travelers on the Seattle-Narita route will enjoy the upgraded Dreamliner, which boasts 34 Leihoku suites equipped with sliding privacy doors, along with an overall enhanced experience in the main cabin. Although Alaska and Hawaiian have not disclosed their aircraft plans for the Tokyo route beyond April, significant changes are anticipated.

In a recent conversation with Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci, it was revealed that the airline aims to unveil a new flagship international experience for its long-haul routes. The intention is for Alaska Airlines to operate all long-haul international routes out of Seattle, including the Tokyo flights, rather than Hawaiian. The timeline for this transition remains unclear, but travelers can expect further enhancements to the onboard experience in the future. Alaska has already announced plans to operate Dreamliner flights to Rome starting in May 2026.

For those looking to book Hawaiian-operated flights between Seattle and Tokyo in early 2024 using points and miles, there are still several options available. Travelers can seamlessly transfer miles between their Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles accounts for the time being. However, significant changes are also on the horizon for the loyalty programs of these newly merged airlines. Alaska Air Group is expected to announce a new joint loyalty program that will cater to both airline brands in the coming weeks.

As Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines navigate this period of transition, they are also expanding their flight offerings. Hawaiian Airlines will introduce additional domestic and international flights from its Honolulu base during the peak winter season, including:

– Daily service from Honolulu to Sydney, Australia, from December 18 to January 31, 2026, increasing from five weekly round trips.
– A fifth daily flight between Honolulu and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the busy Thanksgiving (November 21-December 1) and winter holiday (December 19-January 6) travel seasons.
– A fourth daily Hawaiian-operated flight with a large, widebody jet between Honolulu and Seattle from late November to mid-April, complementing two daily round trips operated by Alaska.

Kirsten Amrine, Alaska’s vice president of revenue management and network planning, expressed enthusiasm about these developments, stating, “We’re excited to offer our guests more options to connect with loved ones or enjoy a warm winter getaway.”

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With these exciting changes on the horizon, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are poised to enhance the travel experience for passengers flying between Seattle and Tokyo, making it an opportune time for travelers to explore their options.