Alaska Airlines Welcomes 12th Boeing 737 MAX 8 Amid Growth Plans

Alaska Airlines has taken delivery of its 12th Boeing 737 MAX 8, marking a significant milestone in its fleet expansion strategy. The aircraft arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Boeing Field (BFI) early Wednesday morning, completing the airline’s initial firm order for this model. This delivery is part of Alaska’s broader commitment to modernizing its fleet, which has already seen a number of 737 MAX jets in operation.

The delivery of the 737 MAX 8 supports Alaska Airlines’ recovery and growth in the post-COVID era of air travel. The airline’s existing fleet already includes a significant number of 737 MAX variants, with plans for further expansion. According to data from ch-aviation, Alaska holds firm orders for at least 80 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, comprising 63 MAX 10s, 13 MAX 9s, and 20 MAX 8s, with an option for up to 105 more.

Commitment to Modern Fleet

Alaska Airlines has expressed enthusiasm over the performance of its current 737 MAX jets, despite facing challenges, including a notable incident in January 2024 involving a door malfunction on Flight 1282. Following this event, which resulted in a grounding of the fleet, Boeing provided Alaska with a compensation package of $100 million to address losses incurred. Both companies have since reaffirmed their commitment to improving quality control and operational safety.

Nat Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance, and alliances at Alaska Airlines, highlighted the airline’s satisfaction with the 737 MAX series. “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,” he stated in a recent press release.

The relationship between Alaska Airlines and Boeing spans several decades, with Alaska operating an almost exclusively Boeing fleet since the 1960s. The airline’s first Boeing aircraft, a 727, was delivered in 1966, and it added its first 737 in 1981. Over the years, Alaska has made substantial investments in the 737 program, becoming the launch customer for the 737-900.

Expanding the Boeing Partnership

As of now, Alaska Airlines’ fleet comprises various 737 models, as outlined in data from Planespotters.net:

– **Boeing 737-700**: 14 units, average age 25.5 years
– **Boeing 737-800**: 61 units, average age 17.7 years
– **Boeing 737-900ER**: 79 units, average age 9.8 years
– **Boeing 737 MAX 8**: 12 units, average age 0.9 years
– **Boeing 737 MAX 9**: 80 units, average age 3.2 years

In October 2022, Alaska Airlines made a historic commitment by exercising options to purchase 52 additional 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2027. This decision has increased their total potential fleet commitment to over 250 MAX aircraft through 2030.

Despite facing production issues with the 737 MAX that have impacted operations, Alaska Airlines continues to maintain a strong partnership with Boeing. The challenges have not diminished their confidence in Boeing’s capabilities, particularly as the manufacturer works to enhance quality control through its merger with Spirit Aerosystems. This partnership is expected to strengthen the production and oversight of the MAX family, which remains a critical component of Alaska Airlines’ operational strategy.

In conclusion, Alaska Airlines’ continued investment in the Boeing 737 MAX series reflects its commitment to enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency as it navigates the evolving landscape of air travel.