Alaska Airlines Forced to Scrap New First Class Glassware Days After Debut… Here’s What Passengers Are Reporting

Alaska Airlines has reportedly been forced to withdraw new First Class glassware across its network just days after introducing a bespoke range of serveware. The reason is that the glasses were allegedly breaking in the hands of passengers.

The Seattle-based carrier debuted the new serveware collection earlier this month, and it formally launched on September 24.

Alaska Airlines says the serveware collection was inspired by the Pacific Northwest, and it features a textured stoneware bowl, a custom flatware set featuring a brass-tone knife, fork, and spoon, a brass-accent bowl, and a sleek new tray.

The airline also replaced separate soda and wine glasses with new all-purpose beverage glasses that feature a modern smoky finish.

While the collection has been custom-designed for Alaska Airlines, it does look familiar to other serveware collections launched by several airlines in the recent past – most notably Etihad Airways, which unveiled new Business Class serveware in collaboration with Armani Casa in late 2022.

Etihad’s serveware collection was produced in collaboration with Australian travel design company Buzz Products, which designs service items and toiletries for airlines, hotels, and other hospitality businesses.

Buzz was also the designer of most of Alaska’s new serveware, although it didn’t have anything to do with the faulty new glassware that Alaska Airlines procured from another supplier.

Unfortunately, according to reports on the frequent flyer community Flyer Talk, Alaska Airlines has already withdrawn the new smoky glassware because a couple of passengers had managed to break the glasses during normal handling.

One passenger reported on Flyer Talk:

“I flew ATL-SEA yesterday (25-Sept) and had the new serveware. I was only drinking coffee so I didn’t see the new glass. On my next F [First Class] flight that day the FA [Flight Attendant] told me that the new glasses had been pulled from circulation as a couple of passengers had managed to break them with normal handing.”

And a second person wrote:

“The new all-purpose beverage glasses are quite elegant, with the slightest hint of an Alaska blue hue. The subtle wine pour line is a smart touch.”

“Unfortunately, the rumor is that they may not survive, They are thinner and lighter, which is good. But they are already chipping, which is bad.”

This isn’t, however, the only issue that has been reported. Some flight attendants have found the ‘sleek’ new trays are a little too sleek, and that serveware is sliding around – an issue that didn’t occur with Alaska’s now-discontinued wooden trays.

Matt’s Take – Teething issues should be expected

In the ideal world, you would expect that Alaska’s new glassware would have been thoroughly tested and put through its paces in real-world scenarios before being rolled out across thousands of flights.

That may well have been the case, but it could have been just one faulty batch that resulted in these reported incidents.

Hopefully, that is the case and the new glassware can return to service in the near future. If not, then a costly redesign process might be in the works. In the meantime, Alaska Airlines was wise enough to keep plenty of its old glassware on standby.