Alaska Airlines Brings Seatback IFE to Boeing 737 MAX 10 Aircraft

Alaska Airlines is introducing seatback in-flight entertainment (IFE) on its new premium Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, starting with at least 25 planes set to begin service in 2028.

Aurora Suites and Premium Reserve passengers will have access to embedded screens, including 19-inch 4K Panasonic Avionics Astrova screens with Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphones. Main Cabin passengers will initially use their own devices with free Starlink Wi-Fi, but the airline has left open the possibility of adding seatback screens farther back in the cabin.

The premium configuration will feature 12 lie-flat Aurora Suites and 12 Premium Reserve seats on the Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft. Alaska plans to deploy these planes on longer transcontinental routes from the West Coast, including markets from Seattle and California to New York. The airline aims to combine embedded IFE with high-speed connectivity and access to passengers' own content.

Alaska Airlines President and Chief Financial Officer Shane Tackett emphasized the importance of giving travelers immediate access to their own content, citing strong passenger satisfaction scores among those using Starlink-enabled aircraft.