Northern Pacific Airways, the startup airline that plans to fly one-stop itineraries between the United States and Asia, has moved on a great deal in the past few months. From one Boeing 757, the airline now has three, with more on the way. Even more excitingly, Simple Flying has obtained an exclusive look at the airline’s incredible interiors, all fitted out and ready to go.

Cabin revealed

Northern Pacific teased its seat designs back at its launch event in California earlier this year. Even then, it was clear to see that the design and execution of the brand identity was going to be as meticulously crafted on the inside of the airplane as it had been on the outside. Now, we can check out how it looks inside the plane itself.

A source close to Northern Pacific shared some delightful images of the cabins of one of its airplanes, which has been almost completed ahead of the launch of service. In the economy cabin, seats are in a 3-3 layout, with the seats themselves upholstered in slick black leather.

Northern Pacific Airways Boeing 757-200 economy cabin
Photo: Provided

A white stripe between the headrest and back cushion serves to lift the light in the cabin, while intricate stitching on the back pad nods to the angular graphics seen on the exterior of the plane. The adjustable headrest is further embellished with the airline’s trademark ‘N’, cleverly bringing the branding to the cabin in an elegant, subtle manner.

At the front of the plane, a small premium cabin offers additional width and legroom for those flyers seeking an upgrade. Laid out in a 2-2 arrangement, the seats again feature some beautiful stitchwork and the embroidered ‘N’, with the white stripes this time adorning the outside edges of the backrest and seat cushion. The wide central armrest offers more personal space and likely houses a lift-up tray table for the passengers’ convenience.

Northern Pacific Airways Boeing 757-200 premium economy cabin
In the premium cabin, seats are wider and personal space is enhanced. Photo: Provided

Alongside the seats themselves, we can catch a glimpse from these images of the overall cabin aesthetic. Simple white sidewalls are contrasted beautifully with black carpets throughout, and behind the premium cabin, we can see the bulkhead finished in a cool charcoal gray.

Three planes in place

When we checked in at the start of the year with Northern Pacific, the airline was celebrating the big reveal of its first airplane. Carrying registration N627NP, this first Boeing 757-200 was one of six ordered in September 2021, forming the start of the airline’s growing fleet. Over the next four years, Northern Pacific intends to build its fleet to a sizeable 50 aircraft, reaching 50% of that number by July 2024.

Northern Pacific Airways Boeing 757-200
New airplanes are in the workshop having liveries and cabins installed. Photo: Provided
Northern Pacific Airways Boeing 757-200
Teams are hard at work getting the initial airplanes ready for service. Photo: Provided

Already, the fleet has new additions joining the stable. Northern Pacific has revealed its next two registrations to be N628NP and N630NP, both of which are under preparation for the airline. Liveries are being painted, seats installed, and efforts are in full swing to get this airline off the ground.

Northern Pacific Airways Boeing 757-200
Work continues at pace to get this startup airline off the ground. Photo: Provided

The first 757 was formerly registered N206UW, previously an American Airlines airplane, originally delivered to USAir in 1995. Numbers two and three were formerly N201UU and N200UU, both also ex-AA airplanes delivered originally to USAir in 1995. The airline has previously said it will have a launch fleet of 13 757-200s, which will add six ex-United Airlines airplanes and three from Icelandair.

Northern Pacific Airways Boeing 757-200
Photo: Provided

Ready to go

The airline hasn’t had the easiest of starts, despite doing everything right from the outset. An application to fly to Japan and South Korea in May should have seen it ready to launch transpacific flights in the fall, but world events have placed a bump in the road for the airline’s best-laid plans.

Health-related restrictions are still burdensome for operators flying into Asia. While Northern Pacific could likely work around those challenges, since its inception, a new headwind has blown things off course. Restricted airspace around Russia would mean a sizable detour for Anchorage to Tokyo or Seoul, making it almost impossible to complete the mission with the current equipment.

Map of flight path from anchorage to korea and japan
Both Tokyo and Seoul routes require crossing airspace that is currently closed. Image: GCMaps

Adding to the challenge would be the additional cost of taking a longer route. With jet fuel costs still double what they were a year ago, the ability for Northern Pacific to make good on its promise of significantly cheaper flights between the US and Asia would be seriously hampered.

Undeterred, the airline is still targeting an imminent launch. With planes clearly almost ready to go, the carrier has opted to fly shorter routes to Mexico from Southern California. With its maintenance base at Ontario, it will give the airline a chance to cut its teeth on a less complex operation while it works out the kinks in its long-term plan.

Northern Pacific Airways Boeing 757-200
From Ontario, the airline is contemplating a number of Mexican cities to get its operation off the ground. Photo: Provided

CEO Rob McKinney told Simple Flying,

“This is one of the things I think is best about us - we are nimble, and we are able to pivot to meet whatever the current situation is.”

Despite the short-term change of plan, connecting the US to Asia via Anchorage remains the long-term goal. For now, however, it makes sense to keep its strong momentum going and to start building customer loyalty (and its bank balance) while it plays the waiting game on Asia.

What do you think of the cabin and seats? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.