Alaska Airlines has officially introduced its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, showcasing the aircraft in its new Aurora livery. The plane, designated N784HA, was photographed departing the paint shop at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport on January 6, 2026. It landed in Seattle within four hours and will remain there overnight.
This aircraft was initially ordered by Hawaiian Airlines, intended to be their fifth Boeing 787. Following Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian in 2025, the airline took over Hawaiian’s 787 orders. As part of this transition, Alaska will also manage the existing Boeing 787s currently operated by Hawaiian, while Hawaiian will focus on its long-haul services using the Airbus A330-200.
Details of the New Aircraft
The newly painted N784HA is equipped with two General Electric GEnx engines and configured with a total of 300 seats. Notably, instead of being ferried to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, this aircraft will go to Boeing Field for a press event scheduled for January 7. Alaska Airlines plans to launch its inaugural 787-9 service from Seattle to Tokyo-Narita on January 8. Previously, this route had been served by Hawaiian’s Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A330-200.
The interiors of N784HA will mirror those of Hawaii’s existing Boeing 787s, featuring 34 business class suites based on the Elevate Ascent design and 266 economy seats based on the Collins Aspire model. While these aircraft will present a new exterior, passengers can expect a familiar onboard experience.
Future Plans and Strategy
Alaska Airlines is preparing to enhance its long-haul network with the addition of 12 new Boeing 787-9s. In total, the airline will operate 21 Boeing 787s, including four currently in service with Hawaiian Airlines and five additional Boeing 787-10s. All these aircraft will be based in Seattle, with the first flight scheduled for May 21.
As Alaska Airlines expands its long-haul operations, it aims to compete more effectively with Delta Air Lines, which has a strong presence at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The introduction of the 787s will enable Alaska to strengthen its international routes, including planned services to London-Heathrow and Rome.
While the Boeing 787-9s will not feature Wi-Fi upon entry into service, Alaska Airlines has announced plans to retrofit its entire fleet with Starlink, a high-speed internet service expected to be installed on the 787s by late 2026. This move will align Alaska’s offerings with those of Hawaiian Airlines, which currently provides complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi on its Airbus A321neo and A330-200 fleets.
Alaska Airlines is already selling tickets for the new routes from Seattle to Tokyo-Narita and Seoul, which were previously operated by Hawaiian. The carrier is also set to establish a Boeing 787 pilot base in the spring, signaling a significant commitment to expanding its international offerings.
