Alaska Airlines limits seatback screens on new Boeing jets

Alaska Airlines has introduced a new in-flight entertainment setup for its upcoming Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft that limits seatback screens to its two premium cabins, Simple Flying reported. Passengers in the remaining economy rows will need to bring their own personal electronic devices to access entertainment. [1]

The carrier plans to install seatback screens in approximately 15 percent of the roughly 159 seats on the new single-aisle jets, according to Simple Flying. The layout creates a clear separation between the front premium seats and the main cabin on transcontinental routes. [1]

The cabin changes come as the airline faces financial pressure. Skift reported that Alaska Airlines is laying off 200 back-office employees after recording a loss of $416 million over nine months. High fuel prices have reduced company profits, but operational roles including pilots, flight attendants, ramp agents, and maintenance technicians will not be cut. [2]

Alaska Airlines is headquartered in SeaTac, Washington, and ranks as the fifth-largest airline in North America by passenger volume. As FTMQ Travel reported earlier, the carrier is also expanding its long-haul operations with a seasonal daily route between Anchorage and Tokyo Narita scheduled to begin in May 2027 using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. [3][6][7]