Alaska Airlines placed an order with Boeing for 52 737 MAX aircraft, with options for an additional 105 of the same model.
The decision, which the airline announced on October 26, 2022, represents the largest Boeing order in Alaska Airlines’ 90-year operating history. 52 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are expected to be added to the airline’s fleet between 2024 and 2027, under the agreement’s stipulations.
“This investment secures aircraft to optimize our growth through the next decade, which we know will be a formidable competitive advantage,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci.
“We’re proud of the strong financial foundation that uniquely positions Alaska to make this commitment to our future, and of the fantastic partnership we share with our hometown aircraft manufacturer at Boeing.”
Alaska now runs a mixed fleet of 330 aircraft, 201 of which are produced by Boeing, according to statistics from Planespotters.com. Regarding its 737 MAX fleet, the airline now operates 35 MAX 9 aircraft and anticipates getting 43 more by the end of 2023.
“At which point, we will once again operate a mainline fleet solely of Boeing aircraft,” Alaska Airlines explained.
The carrier, which has its headquarters in SeaTac, expects to receive a new MAX aircraft every ten days in 2023. By 2030, it stated, it intends to run more than 250 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
“As Alaska Airlines sustainably grows its fleet, the 737 MAX family offers environmental performance and flexibility to expand service across its route network,” said Stan Deal, president, and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“Built in our Renton factory near Alaska’s headquarters in Washington state, these airplanes will carry passengers to destinations for years to come.”
Alaska now has a clear path to operating more than 250 737 MAX series aircraft by 2030 thanks to this order.
