Alaska Airlines currently operates 120 Boeing
737s. The new firm aircraft order, plus 25
existing firm delivery positions, give the
carrier the flexibility to manage its fleet size
to meet air travel demand over the next decade.
Two-thirds of the aircraft are expected to
replace older airplanes. The remaining firm
orders and options will enable Alaska Airlines
to grow assuming sufficient customer demand and
that the company continues to achieve its profit
and return on invested capital goals.
Existing and new orders for the 737-900ER will
be delivered starting in late October 2012 and
continue through 2017. The first 737 MAX 8 is
scheduled to enter Alaska's fleet in 2018
followed by the first 737 MAX 9 in 2019. Alaska
is the third U.S. airline to order the MAX.
"The 737 MAX will be a great addition to Alaska
Airlines' all-Boeing 737 fleet," said Ray
Conner, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial
Airplanes. "It will build on the strong record
of operational and financial performance that
Alaska Airlines has established with the 737
family. This order demonstrates our hometown
partner's strong commitment to operate the most
fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes on the
market today and in the future."
All of Alaska's new aircraft will feature the
Boeing Sky Interior, with overhead bins that
provide more storage and passenger headroom,
variable ambient cabin lighting and, on the
737-900ER, Recaro leather seats with an
innovative design that provides more legroom.
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