Alaska Airlines has taken delivery of their first Boeing 737-8 MAX, and will add 15-25 new Boeing jets to their young fleet from 2024 through 2027. In total, Alaska has firm orders for 80 more 737 MAX Family jets, as well as options and purchase rights for another 105.
On Thursday (January 4, 2024), Alaska Airlines announced the delivery of their first Boeing 737-8 MAX airplane. Operating the youngest fleet in the U.S., Alaska will take delivery of 15-25 new Boeing aircraft between 2024 and 2027. In total, the carrier has firm orders for 80 more 737 MAX Family jets, plus options and purchase rights for 105 more. Alaska will take delivery of their first Boeing 737-10 MAX airplane in 2025.
In Thursday’s delivery announcement, Alaska Airlines’ SVP of Fleet, Finance and Alliances, Nat Pieper, said,
“The addition of the 737-8 and eventually the 737-10 to our fleet creates new opportunities for us to fly longer nonstop routes and maximize our revenue potential. We have achieved terrific results with the 737-9 in guest satisfaction, economics and fuel efficiency, and we are excited for our future with the other 737 models.”
Also commenting on the 737-8 delivery, Alaska’s Managing Director of Guest Products, Todd Traynor-Corey, added,
“It’s more important than ever that we deliver a consistent product to our guests. The updates we’re making to our older Boeing aircraft will provide a more consistent guest experience on our Boeing fleet by making the cabins look and feel more like our 737-9 and 737-8 aircraft.”
In March 2022, Alaska Airlines adjusted their existing 737-9 order to include the larger Boeing 737-10 and longer-range 737-8 MAX models. The carrier’s new 737 MAX airplanes will allow Alaska to optimize aircraft size and capability in each market they fly. For example, Alaska will deploy the new 737-8 MAX on their new nonstop seasonal route between Anchorage and New York-JFK from June 13, 2024. The 3,386 nautical mile route will become Alaska’s longest route.
During 2024, Alaska is scheduled to take delivery of seven additional 737-8s, with the next four expected in March. Horizon Air, Alaska’s regional carrier, will also add nine new Embraer E175s over the next three years, bringing their fleet total of the type to 50 by the end of 2026. The carrier’s regional partner, SkyWest, also operates E175s on behalf of Alaska Airlines. With mainline and regional aircraft combined, the Group currently operates a fleet of 310 aircraft.
Alaska Airlines’ guests will also enjoy updates to the carrier's existing fleet of Boeing 737-800 jets, as Alaska invests $130 million in cabin overhauls from 2024 through 2026. The new cabins will accommodate 161 passengers with 16 First Class seats and new Premium Economy and Economy Class seats. The new First Class seats feature a footrest and seatback device holder, while offering a generous 40-inch pitch, while Premium Economy seats feature a 35-inch pitch.
Alaska Airlines and their regional partners serve over 120 destinations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and Belize. The sustainability-focused carrier emphasizes Next-Level Care for guests, while offering low fares and award-winning service. Alaska has hubs in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland and Anchorage. The carrier is a member of the oneworld global alliance, and along with their additional partners, Alaska Airlines’ guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 1,000 global destinations on over 20 airlines. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of the Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK).
Source: Alaska Airlines