Alaska Airlines Adding Bulkhead and Exit Row Seating Upgrades

Image: Photo courtesy Alaska Airlines (© Alaska Airlines)
Image: Photo courtesy Alaska Airlines (© Alaska Airlines)
Donald Wood
by Donald Wood
Last updated: 4:15 PM ET, Thu May 14, 2015

Finding extra legroom on an airplane can make the difference between a great trip and a forgettable experience. For those who use Alaska Airlines, the launch of Preferred Plus seating could be a dream come true.

Starting Thursday, Mileage Plan MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75k members will be able to purchase eligible and available upgrades for bulkhead and exit row seats, according to Alaska Airlines.

For those looking to make the upgrade, the Preferred Plus seating will begin at an additional $15 plus tax and will provide travelers with up to eight extra inches of legroom. The upgraded seats in rows 6, 16 and 17 boast 36 to 40 inches of leg room as opposed to 31 to 32 inches of leg room in standard seats.

Add in that the upgrade also includes a complimentary cocktail, glass of wine or beer, plus priority boarding, and it may be worth the small monetary investment.

Alaska Airlines vice president of marketing, Sangita Woerner, released a statement, saying, "At Alaska, we're all about making the travel experience better for our customers. As someone who always appreciates more flexibility and choices when traveling, I know Preferred Plus seating will be a welcome addition for our customers."

Before the recent changes, only Mileage Plan elite-level customers had access to reserve these seats. For the elite-level members, upgrades will continue to be complimentary from the time of booking through departure.

All of the airline's options can be found on its official website. Passengers can book their flights and upgrade to Preferred Plus seating online. For those looking to upgrade to first class or just book standard seating, using the website is also the best option.


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Donald Wood

Donald Wood

Managing Editor

Donald Wood is TravelPulse’s Managing Editor, bringing nearly 15 years of experience to the desk. He currently lives outside Philadelphia with his wife and two children.

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