Alaska's Aurora and Hawaiian's Leihōkū bring new lounges, private check-in and lie-flat suites

Alaska Air Group has named the new premium experiences for its two airlines. Alaska Airlines' version is called Aurora. Hawaiian Airlines' version is called Leihōkū, which Alaska says means "lei of stars." The company announced both on Sept. 29, 2026, in Alaska's announcement.

The plan covers far more than seats. Alaska says it starts at the curb, with private check-in, and runs through new lounges to new suites on board. "Premium is more than a seat," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Air Group's chief executive.

A new lounge pair in Seattle

The biggest ground change is in Seattle, Alaska's main hub. Alaska says it will open a new lounge on the newly expanded C Concourse in late 2027. At nearly 41,000 square feet, Alaska says it will be the largest lounge in Seattle and one of the largest in the country.

The space has two connected parts:

• Alaska Lounge. A 500-seat lounge on the main level. Alaska says it will welcome travelers who can use the lounge under today's rules.
• Aurora Lounge. A 200-seat lounge for Aurora Suites guests on intercontinental flights.

Both parts share some features, according to Alaska. These include an outdoor patio with a fireplace, private work pods and three premium bars across two floors. Food will be locally sourced, with seasonal menus, a pizza oven, a coffee lab and fresh pastries.

The Aurora Lounge adds more. Alaska says it will have private shower suites and wellness spaces. It will also offer chef-made food cooked to order, à la carte dining and tableside service.

Alaska already runs three lounges in Seattle: the Alaska Lounge on the C Concourse, the D Concourse lounge and the lounge in the N Concourse. Our listings show all three open to Alaska Lounge members and eligible oneworld travelers. Alaska has not said what will happen to the current C Concourse lounge once the new one opens.

Private check-in in Seattle and Honolulu

Aurora Suites guests will get their own check-in and concierge service at Seattle, Alaska says. Leihōkū Suites guests will get a similar private check-in and concierge service in both Honolulu and Seattle. Alaska has not said when or where these desks will open.

A bigger Hawaiian lounge in Honolulu

Hawaiian plans a new lounge of nearly 13,000 square feet in Honolulu. It will sit at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1. Alaska says it will open in early 2028 and seat about 200 guests.

Access will be similar to The Plumeria Lounge, Alaska says, and will include Leihōkū Suites guests. Our Plumeria record lists Hawaiian international premium passengers, Atmos Gold, Platinum and Titanium members flying international, and Alaska Lounge members. Readers rate it 3 out of 5, and it has no showers. Planned features include local food and drinks, a signature local coffee service, a full-service bar with craft cocktails, private workspaces, and art by local artists.

San Diego gets an Alaska Lounge

Alaska also says a new 14,000-square-foot Alaska Lounge will open in San Diego in 2028. It gave no more detail. Our San Diego page lists today's lounges.

Aurora Suites on Alaska

Aurora Suites are Alaska's new top cabin. They are lie-flat suites with direct aisle access. Suites on the 787 will have privacy doors. Each suite has a 19-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth, wireless and USB-C charging, and AC power.

Alaska plans 34 Aurora Suites on its 787-9 Dreamliners and 40 on future 787-10s. On the 787-9, Alaska says premium seats will make up about 46% of the cabin, up from 38%. For the first time, Alaska will also offer lie-flat first class on select transcontinental flights. That will come on at least 25 Boeing 737-10 MAX jets, each with 12 suites, starting in 2028. Those jets will wear the same Aurora livery as the 787s.

On board, Alaska promises chef-led dining and on-demand meals. Seattle chef Renee Erickson will create menus for European routes, including London and Rome, and Athens and Paris from spring 2027. Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams will cover routes from Seattle to Asia. Starlink Wi-Fi will be free for Atmos Rewards members, thanks to T-Mobile.

Leihōkū Suites on Hawaiian

Hawaiian's 24 Airbus A330s will get all-new interiors, front to back, starting in 2028. Each will have 22 Leihōkū Suites. These serve international business class and domestic First Class. Alaska says premium seats will make up about 40% of the A330 cabin, up from 30%.

The suites offer lie-flat beds, direct aisle access and privacy doors. Screens and charging match the Aurora Suites. Hawaiian Executive Chef Dell Valdez will keep shaping the menus, with wine pairings. Alaska also mentions hotel-quality bedding.

Premium Reserve: a new premium economy

Both airlines will add Premium Reserve, a new premium economy cabin. Alaska says seats go on sale next summer and start flying in 2028.

There will be 35 seats on each 787, 28 on each A330 and 12 on select 737-10 MAX jets. Seats will have 38 inches of pitch, a wider seat, more recline and a leg and calf rest. Each will have a 16-inch 4K OLED screen and AC and USB-C power.

What we don't know yet

Alaska did not share some details travelers will want. It has not said whether Atmos Rewards elites, lounge members or partner travelers can use the Aurora Lounge without an Aurora Suites ticket. It has not named guest rules or fees for the new lounges. It also has not given exact opening dates beyond late 2027 for Seattle and early 2028 for Honolulu.

Until then, see our pages for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines for the lounges both airlines run today. The same day's Atmos Rewards changes are covered separately.