Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Wednesday!

I had something completely different planned for today's newsletter.

Then Alaska and Hawaiian started making announcements. And they just kept coming.

I do not remember the last time I saw an airline group announce this many significant changes in a single day. New business class seats, a brand-new premium economy product, a complete overhaul of Hawaiian's A330s, major international partnership plans, and changes to how Atmos Rewards members earn points.

So I changed today's post.

There is a lot to cover.

Here's what's inside today's post:

This is probably the announcement that surprised me most.

Alaska has 168 Boeing 737 MAX 10s on order, and at least 25 of them will receive a special premium-heavy configuration.

These will not have regular domestic first class seats. They will have 12 fully flat business class seats, branded Aurora Suites, arranged 1-1 across six rows. Every passenger gets direct aisle access, and the seats will be reverse herringbone.

Alaska says these aircraft will primarily operate transcontinental routes, with service expected to begin in 2028.

I have to confess, I like the lie-flat seats on narrow-body aircraft trend.

They are calling it Premium Reserve.

This will be a proper separate premium economy cabin, not simply extra-legroom economy. It will be installed across:

The seats will have 38 inches of pitch, enhanced recline, leg and calf rests, larger tray tables, additional storage, 16-inch 4K OLED screens, Bluetooth connectivity, AC and USB-C power, and upgraded dining. Tickets are expected to go on sale in summer 2027, with the product launching in 2028.

This is a very logical move.

There is a massive gap between economy and a fully flat business class seat, both in comfort and price. On a long flight to Hawaii, Asia, or Europe, Premium Reserve could be the sweet spot for a lot of travelers. And I am very curious to see how Alaska eventually prices these seats in Atmos Rewards points.

This one was badly needed.

Hawaiian's A330s currently have an older 2-2-2 business class product without direct aisle access for every passenger. Starting in 2028, all 24 A330s are scheduled to receive completely new interiors.

The new cabin will have 22 Leihōkū Suites: fully flat, with direct aisle access, privacy doors, 19-inch 4K entertainment screens, Bluetooth, wireless charging, USB-C and AC power, and upgraded bedding and dining. Behind business class will be the new Premium Reserve cabin we just discussed.

That completely changes how I would feel about booking a Hawaiian A330 for a long flight. The current product is usable but not competitive. By 2028, these aircraft should offer a legitimately good international premium experience.

This announcement is less flashy, but potentially just as important.

Alaska Air Group says it intends to join both major oneworld long-haul joint ventures.

Across the Atlantic, that means joining the partnership involving American, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and Aer Lingus. Across the Pacific, Alaska plans to join American and Japan Airlines.

These arrangements still require regulatory approval, so they are not done deals. But if approved, they would allow the airlines to coordinate schedules and fares much more closely.

It also tells you where Alaska is heading. This is not the Alaska Airlines we knew as primarily a West Coast domestic carrier anymore. The Hawaiian acquisition gave the company widebody aircraft and a much bigger Pacific network. Alaska is building international flying from Seattle. And now it wants to integrate more deeply with some of oneworld's biggest airlines.

This is becoming a much more global airline group.

This might be the most relevant announcement for Points Master members.

Starting October 1, 2026, Atmos Rewards members will be able to choose one of three earning methods for flights departing from January 1, 2027:

This choice applies to both redeemable points and status points. If you are already an Atmos member and do nothing, you will continue earning based on distance flown. New members joining in 2027 will default to revenue-based earning. You can change your selection once per calendar year for future travel.

Most US airlines have moved toward rewarding how much money you spend. Alaska is essentially saying: if that works better for you, choose it. But we are not forcing everyone into it.

For most people, I think distance will still be the best choice. The math is straightforward. At 5 points per dollar versus 1 point per mile, the break-even point is 20 cents spent per mile flown. If you buy relatively inexpensive long-haul tickets, distance-based earning can be significantly better.

The 500-points-per-segment option is more niche, but it could work very well for someone constantly taking short, cheap flights, particularly inter-island flights in Hawaii.

Put all of today's announcements together and the bigger picture becomes clear.

Alaska bought Hawaiian in 2024. Atmos Rewards launched in 2025. Now we are seeing what the combined airline group actually wants to become: flat-bed suites, premium economy, long-haul 787s, refurbished Hawaiian A330s, deeper oneworld partnerships, and a loyalty program that is still willing to reward distance flown.

There is even more Atmos news coming out today, including new ways of earning and transferring points that I am still going through. So we will definitely be talking about Alaska and Atmos Rewards again soon.

But after today's announcements, one thing is clear: this is an airline and loyalty program that Points Master members should be paying a lot more attention to.

More coming on Friday.

Catch you in the clouds,

Tomi from Points Master

Getting too many emails? Adjust how often you hear from us