Alaska Airlines has confirmed the largest aircraft order in its history, placing a major order with Boeing that includes 105 Boeing 737 10 aircraft and five Boeing 787 widebody jets, along with rights for up to 35 additional 737 10s.
The order secures delivery slots through to 2035 and covers both fleet growth and replacement of older aircraft, as the airline looks to expand its domestic and international network.
Alaska Air Group CEO and president Ben Minicucci said the order supports the airline’s longer term plans.
“This fleet investment builds on the strong foundation Alaska has created to support steady, scalable and sustained growth, and is another building block in executing our Alaska Accelerate strategic plan,” Minicucci said. “These planes will fuel our expansion to more destinations across the globe and ensure our guests travel aboard the newest, most fuel efficient and state of the art aircraft. We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Boeing, a Pacific Northwest neighbour and a company that stands as a symbol of American innovation and manufacturing.”
The order includes 105 737 10 aircraft, the largest variant of the 737 MAX family, which will be used on higher density routes and to replace ageing single aisle aircraft. Alaska also retains flexibility to adjust the aircraft model within the 737 family if required.
Alaska currently operates 248 Boeing 737 aircraft and has 174 737 MAX jets on order. The latest purchase brings the airline’s total Boeing orderbook to 245 aircraft, in addition to the 94 MAX aircraft already in service.
The airline also confirmed an order for five additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, exercising all previous options held with Boeing. Alaska already has five 787s in operation, and the latest order brings its firm widebody fleet to 17 aircraft, with the intention for the new deliveries to be the 787 10 variant.
The widebody aircraft are expected to support the airline’s long haul expansion from Seattle, with plans to serve at least 12 international destinations over the coming years.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stephanie Pope described the order as a milestone in the long running relationship between the two companies.
“This is a historic airplane order underwritten by Alaska Airlines’ record of strong performance and strategic expansion,” Pope said. “All of us at Boeing are proud of Alaska’s success and are honoured they have placed their trust in our people and our 737 and 787 airplanes to help grow their airline.”
The deal marks 60 years since Boeing first delivered a 727 aircraft to Alaska Airlines. The carrier is based in Seattle and already operates five 787 Dreamliners across its network.
Alaska Air Group said its current fleet of 413 aircraft is expected to grow to more than 475 by 2030 and exceed 550 aircraft by 2035.
The announcement was marked in Seattle with representatives from Alaska Airlines, Boeing and the US Department of Transportation, alongside employees and customers. The event also included the unveiling of the first 787 9 painted in Alaska’s new global livery.
The design draws inspiration from the Aurora Borealis, using deep blues and emerald greens. Alaska said the aircraft took nearly 1000 hours over 13 days to paint from nose to tail using a new painting technique.
