Alaska Airlines has placed a huge order for Boeing 737 Max aircraft which is the largest ever order in the carrier’s history.
The order includes up to 157 aircraft, which is split between firm orders and options, or rights, for additional aircraft.
In detail, the order comprises:
- 10 Boeing 737 Max 9
- 42 Boeing 737 Max 10
- 105 options on additional 737 Max deliveries.
These aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2024 and 2027, with the options valid to 2030.
Already operating a fleet of 35 737 Max 9 aircraft, Alaska Airlines expects to accept delivery of another 43 Max aircraft between now and the end of 2023—at which point the carrier will once again operate a mainline fleet solely of Boeing aircraft.
Existing Airbus A320 and A321 family aircraft, inherited from the airline’s merger with Virgin America, will have been retired by this point.
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.”
By 2030, Alaska could operate more than 250 new aircraft from the 737 Max series, in additiona to existing Boeing 737-700, -800 and -900 variants.
