Alaska Airlines has re-emphasized its commitment to the Boeing 737 Max and its intention to return to its usual status as an all-Boeing airline with by upping its order for new planes.
Alaska and Boeing announced the airline is ordering 23 more 737-9s and taking options on 15 more. Together with previous orders and leased planes, that could mean up to 120 of the planes joining Alaska’s fleet. The Max planes are estimated by the airline to burn 20% less fuel per seat than previous models and have a longer range that will allow some new routes.
Before it bought Virgin America a few years ago, Alaska was an all-Boeing carrier and even carried that legend on its planes. As the consolidation continues, Alaska is replacing the A320s it inherited, including swapping a batch of them for leased 737 Max planes.
The announcement of the December order took place as Alaska was taking delivery of the first of its original order.
