Commercial Aviation
Alaska Air Group Unveils Lie-Flat Suites and Premium Cabins
Alaska Air Group introduces lie-flat suites on 737-10 MAX and 787 aircraft, a new Premium Reserve class, and expanded lounges by 2028.
Alaska Air Group has unveiled a sweeping overhaul of its premium cabin and lounge offerings, introducing lie-flat suites to its narrowbody fleet for the first time and establishing a unified premium strategy following its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.
Announced during the company’s 2026 Investor Day in Seattle on September 29, the investment introduces the “Aurora” and “Leihōkū” flagship experiences for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. In a press release, the company detailed plans to roll out a new “Premium Reserve” premium economy class and open expansive new lounges in Seattle and Honolulu, targeting a shift in revenue mix that aims to push premium revenues above 40 percent of total revenue by 2030.
Fleetwide cabin upgrades and lie-flat expansion
The introduction of the Aurora and Leihōkū suites marks a significant product evolution for both carriers, with cabin retrofits and new deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028. For Alaska Airlines, the Aurora product will bring 34 lie-flat suites to its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The updated Boeing 787-9 configuration will increase the aircraft’s total premium seating to 46 percent, up from 38 percent.
In a major shift for its domestic operations, Alaska Airlines will also install 12 lie-flat suites on at least 25 of its Boeing 737-10 MAX aircraft. This development brings true premium transcontinental capabilities to the Alaska Airlines narrowbody fleet, allowing the carrier to compete directly with legacy airlines on coast-to-coast routes.
Hawaiian Airlines will see its 24 Airbus A330 widebody aircraft retrofitted with 22 redesigned Leihōkū Suites. The upgrade will boost the premium seating footprint on the A330 fleet from 30 percent to 40 percent.
Alaska Airlines President and Chief Financial Officer Shane Tackett emphasized the strategic necessity of the upgrades in capturing high-yield traffic.
“We already have the scale and customer base, now we are making sure we have the right product for every trip our guests take. Aurora, Leihōkū and Premium Reserve close important product gaps across international, Hawaiʻi and premium transcontinental flying, giving us more ways to compete for high-value demand while preserving the distinct identity of the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands.”
Introducing Premium Reserve and expanded lounges
Alongside the flagship suites, Alaska Air Group is launching Premium Reserve, a dedicated premium economy cabin designed to align the carriers with international long-haul standards. The new class will offer passengers 38 inches of seat pitch and 16-inch 4K OLED seatback screens.
The onboard investments are paired with a major expansion of the company’s ground facilities. A new 41,000-square-foot lounge complex is slated to open at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in late 2027. Shortly after, in early 2028, a 13,000-square-foot Hawaiian lounge will open in Terminal 1 at Honolulu (HNL). Alaska Air Group Chief Executive Officer Ben Minicucci stated that the Aurora and Leihōkū concepts are intended to raise the standard for comfort, dining, and service from the moment passengers arrive at the airport.
Integrating operations under Alaska Accelerate
The premium product overhaul is a cornerstone of the “Alaska Accelerate” strategic plan, which the company outlined to investors as it works to integrate Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Airlines completed its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines on September 18, 2024. The merger combined Alaska’s primarily domestic narrowbody network with Hawaiian’s widebody international routes.
Through the Alaska Accelerate initiative, the company is targeting $1 billion in incremental profit by 2027, with $500 million expected to materialize from merger synergies. Following the acquisition, Alaska Airlines assumed Hawaiian’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner orders, integrating them into its own fleet expansion strategy while Hawaiian retained its Airbus A330 operations.
The company also announced the expansion of its Atmos Rewards loyalty program, which integrates HawaiianMiles and Alaska Mileage Plan to offer unified earning and redemption options across the combined global network.
AirPro News analysis
The decision to install lie-flat seats on the Boeing 737-10 MAX represents a fundamental shift in Alaska Airlines’ domestic strategy. For years, the carrier relied on standard domestic first-class recliners, effectively ceding the highest-yield premium transcontinental market to Delta Air Lines (DL), United Airlines (UA), American Airlines (AA), and JetBlue. By equipping its largest narrowbody aircraft with true suites, we see Alaska directly challenging the established coast-to-coast hierarchy and defending its Seattle hub against legacy incursions.
Furthermore, the introduction of the Premium Reserve class is a necessary maturation for the combined entity. As Alaska Air Group integrates Hawaiian’s widebody network and takes delivery of Boeing 787s, a true premium economy product is required to compete on international routes where a three-cabin configuration is the baseline standard. Pushing premium seating to 46 percent on the Boeing 787-9 indicates a strong confidence in long-term premium leisure demand, a segment that has remained resilient since the post-pandemic travel recovery.
Photo Credit: Alaska Airlines
Route Development
Swissport Enters Indonesia Through Joint Venture With UNEX
Swissport signs joint venture with UNEX Aviation Services, launching its first operations in Indonesia at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
Swissport International AG has signed binding transaction agreements to form a strategic joint venture with UNEX Aviation Services, establishing the global aviation services provider’s first operational footprint in Indonesia.
Announced in a company press release on September 28, 2026, the partnerships involves Swissport acquiring a stake in the Jakarta-based ground handling company, officially known as PT UNEX Rajawali Indonesia. The joint venture will initially focus on operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta, with plans to expand cargo, ramp handling, and passenger services to additional Airports across the archipelago.
Targeting Southeast Asian market growth
The expansion positions Swissport to capitalize on a rapidly scaling sector. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that Indonesia will become the fourth-largest aviation market globally by 2030. The country recorded approximately 101 million domestic and international passengers and handled roughly 1 million tonnes of air freight in 2024.
Swissport President and CEO Warwick Brady highlighted the strategic value of the new partnership in the company’s official statement.
“Indonesia is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with IATA forecasting it to become the fourth-largest globally by 2030. This joint venture is a significant step in our successful strategy to expand our cargo business, while providing a strong platform to strengthen our ground-handling presence in Southeast Asia.”
UNEX Aviation Services, founded in 2003, brings established local infrastructure to the joint venture. Founder and CEO Budiman Tedja stated that Swissport’s global network and industry expertise will help UNEX expand its service offerings and strengthen operational capabilities to support the continued growth of the Indonesian aviation sector.
Expanding the Asia-Pacific footprint
The Indonesian joint venture adds to Swissport’s existing presence in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2025, the company’s regional operations handled approximately 25 million passengers, 632,000 flights, and 450,000 tonnes of cargo, supported by a workforce of 10,000 employees.
Regional metrics indicate sustained demand for aviation services. International traffic within Asia increased by 11.9 percent in 2025, while air cargo demand for Asia-Pacific airlines saw an 8.4 percent year-on-year growth during the same period.
Brady noted that Indonesia’s geography, which spans thousands of islands and supports a population exceeding 280 million, makes aviation critical for connecting people and trade. He added that combining Swissport’s hub operations expertise with UNEX’s local knowledge will support airline and cargo growth across Asia.
A broader acquisition strategy
The UNEX partnership follows a series of targeted international expansions by Swissport in 2026. On September 21, 2026, the company announced its entry into Colombia through the acquisition of GHI, a ground-handling and logistics provider at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. Earlier in the year, on June 3, 2026, Swissport launched operations at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Brady confirmed that the company will continue to pursue mergers and acquisitions in dynamic aviation economies to create long-term value for customers and partners.
AirPro News analysis
We view Swissport’s entry into Indonesia as a calculated continuation of its broader strategy to capture market share in high-growth, geographically fragmented regions. Following its recent expansion into Colombia and Shanghai, the company is clearly prioritizing emerging markets where domestic connectivity relies heavily on aviation infrastructure. By utilizing a joint venture model with an established local entity like UNEX rather than attempting a greenfield startup, Swissport mitigates the regulatory and operational risks typical of entering the Indonesian market. This approach allows the company to immediately integrate local expertise while deploying its global standardized safety and operational protocols.
Photo Credit: Swissport International AG
Commercial Aviation
Global Aviation Conference Frankfurt 2026 Opens with 600 Senior Executives and 11 Panels on the Industry’s Hardest Questions
Global Aviation Conference Frankfurt 2026 opens at the Frankfurt Marriott Hotel on 29–30 September with 600+ senior executives, 50+ speakers and eleven executive panels on SAF, AI in operations, the aftermarket squeeze, fleet financing and the 2040 outlook. Keynote by ITA Airways CEO Joerg Michael Eberhart.
More than 600 senior executives from airlines, airports, lessors, MROs and OEMs are gathering at the Frankfurt Marriott Hotel on 29–30 September for the Global Aviation Conference Frankfurt 2026, a two-day forum built around eleven executive panels on the operational, financial and strategic pressures reshaping air transport.
Organised by Aviovis Group and chaired by Gabriel Hanot of GH Aviation Consulting, the conference brings together more than 50 speakers and over 40 exhibiting companies in the city’s Westend district. Lufthansa Technik and TestSolutions are the event’s Gold Sponsors. Rather than focusing on a single segment, the programme deliberately spans the whole value chain, from sustainable fuel and aircraft finance to the parts and engine aftermarket and the passenger experience.
Keynote from ITA Airways, a spotlight on Cyprus Airways
The keynote address is delivered by Joerg Michael Eberhart, Chief Executive of ITA Airways, whose carrier is completing its integration into the Lufthansa Group. Thanos Pascalis, CEO of Cyprus Airways, follows with a dedicated presentation on the island carrier’s growth strategy.
Panellists are drawn from Lufthansa Group, Qatar Airways, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, Finnair, TAP Air Portugal, Alaska Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Ryanair, easyJet, Ethiopian Airlines, Aer Lingus and WestJet on the airline side; Fraport, Munich Airport, Zurich Airport and Athens International Airport for the airports; lessors Avolon and SMBC Aviation Capital; and engine makers Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney, among others. Pegasus Airlines and SunExpress add to a notable Turkish presence, with AJet attending as a participant.
Eleven panels, one agenda: execution
The panel line-up reads like a checklist of the questions keeping airline and MRO boards awake this year:
- Sustainability in Aviation: The SAF Reality Check — supply, price and the gap between mandates and molecules
- Digitalization and AI in Airline Operations — from data foundations to real-world return on investment
- The Aviation Aftermarket Under Pressure — parts, engines and commercial risk
- Maintenance Matters — ensuring reliability across today’s fleets
- The Evolving Role of Airports — hubs of innovation
- Biggest Win and Biggest Mistake — executives on the decisions that defined their year
- Crew Welfare and Workforce Management
- Innovations in Customer Experience: Beyond the Cabin
- The Future of Air Travel — trends and predictions for 2040
- Financing the Future Fleet — leasing, capital and risk
- Global Aviation Outlook — navigating geopolitical dynamics
The aftermarket and maintenance sessions land at a moment when engine shop-visit backlogs, parts lead times and the retirement profile of the CFM56 and V2500 fleets are dictating airline capacity as much as new-aircraft deliveries are. The SAF panel arrives a year into the ReFuelEU mandate, with European uplift running ahead of the 2 per cent floor but the 2030 step-up still looking expensive.
Built for meetings as much as for sessions
Alongside the stage programme, the organisers have set up an exhibition and networking area and a matchmaking platform that lets delegates pre-schedule one-to-one meetings with suppliers, partners and customers. Day one closes with a cocktail reception. Attendance is curated towards senior decision-makers, which the organisers say keeps conversations commercial rather than promotional.
Practical details
- When: Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Where: Frankfurt Marriott Hotel, Hamburger Allee 2, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Organiser: Aviovis Group
- Programme and registration: globalaviationconference.com
AirPro News is an official media partner of the Global Aviation Conference Frankfurt 2026.
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
Avion Express Deploys Three A320s for Corendon Airlines
Avion Express has placed three Airbus A320s at Antalya Airport under a new ACMI wet-lease deal with Corendon Airlines.
This is original reporting and analysis by AirPro News.
Avion Express has deployed three Airbus A320 aircraft to Antalya Airport (AYT) to operate on behalf of Turkish leisure carrier Corendon Airlines under a new wet-lease agreement.
The arrangement, announced in late September 2026, provides Corendon Airlines with immediate narrowbody capacity to support its flight operations from the Mediterranean holiday destination.
ACMI deployment in Turkey
The charter and Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) operator confirmed the start of operations via an official company statement. The three Airbus A320s will be based in Antalya, which serves as a major operational hub for Corendon Airlines.
Avion Express stated the aircraft are ready to begin operations, noting the company will provide ACMI services in support of the Turkish airline’s network. The operator expressed optimism for the collaboration, stating they look forward to a “smooth, successful, and long-lasting partnership throughout the operation.”
Capacity management for leisure carriers
Wet-lease agreements remain a standard mechanism for European and Mediterranean leisure Airlines to manage seasonal capacity fluctuations. By utilizing ACMI providers, carriers can scale their fleets to meet peak passenger demand without the long-term financial commitments associated with permanent aircraft acquisitions or dry leases.
Corendon Airlines focuses heavily on tourist traffic between Europe and holiday destinations in Turkey. The addition of three A320s allows the airline to maintain schedule reliability and absorb demand spikes from its Antalya base.
AirPro News analysis
We view this deployment as a continuation of the strong demand for narrowbody ACMI lift across the European leisure market. With ongoing Supply-Chain constraints and aircraft Delivery delays affecting operators globally, specialized wet-lease providers like Avion Express are positioned to fill critical capacity gaps. The choice of the Airbus A320 offers Corendon Airlines a standardized platform well-suited for short- to medium-haul holiday routes.
Sources: Avion Express
Photo Credit: Avion Express
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