It’s an exciting time for Alaska Airlines, as the carrier is building a long haul network out of the Pacific Northwest. To coincide with the launch of some new long haul flights, the airline is opening its most exclusive check-in facility to date, with more to come.
Alaska’s new premium check-in at SeaTac Airport
Alaska Airlines is opening an exclusive new check-in facility at Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA), exclusively for top tier Alaska Atmos Rewards Titanium members, plus those traveling in the carrier’s Business Class Suites (the name of Alaska’s new long haul premium experience). Immediate family, or up to two accompanying guests on the same reservation, are also eligible to use the facility.
The idea is that this is an exclusive space behind sliding glass doors, and it offers a more personalized check-in experience, plus direct access to a private security line, to minimize wait times. There’s even a concierge who essentially guides guests through that process.
Here’s how the airline describes this:
Coming soon, Suites guests and Alaska’s Atmos Titanium members traveling through Seattle‑Tacoma International Airport will enjoy a new, exclusive check‑in lane, with additional lanes planned across Alaska’s key hubs, including Anchorage, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and internationally in London, Reykjavik, Rome, Seoul and Tokyo. In Seattle, Alaska’s largest hub, the experience is elevated further with a personal concierge who guides guests from the exclusive Suites and Titanium lobby to a private security entrance.
I’m a little confused. It sounds like similar facilities are coming to other hubs, and even to the carrier’s long haul markets, but I imagine that’s not quite accurate. There’s no way Alaska is getting a private security lane at Heathrow for its once daily flight, heh.
I suspect at other airports, the idea is simply that there will be a separate check-in counter for Titanium members and Business Class Suite customers, beyond the standard first class and Atmos Rewards elite counter.
Alaska really is treating its top tier elites very well!
One really has to acknowledge just how well Alaska is trying to treat its top tier Titanium elite members. At other airlines, these kinds of private check-in facilities are typically reserved for invitation only elite members, like American Concierge Key and United Global Services members.
Meanwhile at Alaska, an elite tier that’s reasonably achievable is enough to unlock that This complimentary upgrade perk is super valuable, and a major incentive to go for Titanium status (given that status points can be earned with credit card spending, award flights, etc.).
For that matter, we’re also seeing Atmos Rewards roll out global upgrades for Titanium members, valid across the Alaska and Hawaiian networks, which is a perk you won’t find with any other airline in the United States.
If you live in Seattle, travel a lot, and can earn Titanium status, it’s certainly becoming a very compelling status tier, between the Alaska and Hawaiian specific perks, plus the reciprocal oneworld benefits.
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines sure is upping its premium game as it expands globally, with the introduction of a new check-in facility in Seattle. This is exclusively for Business Class Suite and Atmos Rewards Titanium members, and it’s a private facility with seating, and dedicated access to a security lane.
It’s great to see these improvements from Alaska, and it’s particularly nice how this is being offered to elite members. The airline also plans to improve its check-in experience at other hubs, though I wouldn’t expect it to be quite like this.
What do you make of Alaska’s new premium check-in?
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