*****UPDATE: This story was written before this weekend’s incident with one of Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes. You can find more details about this in our forum.*****
Alaska Airlines has taken delivery of its first 737 MAX 8 aircraft, and seven more Boeing aircraft will join the airline’s fleet this year.
The deliveries will allow Alaska to launch new seasonal nonstop service between Anchorage and New York JFK beginning June 13, which at 3,386 miles will be the longest route in the airline’s network.
The airline is in the midst of a renewal of its 737 fleet, with firm orders for 80 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (a mix of -8, -9 and -10 variants) and a $130 million plan to begin renewing your existing Boeing 737. 800 aircraft from the end of 2024.
These aircraft will move to a 161-seat configuration, with new seats throughout the aircraft.
The intent is to provide consistency across Alaska’s new and existing 737 fleet, although the first five 737 MAX 8 aircraft to be delivered will not feature the new configuration and will be retrofitted “at a later date.”
The airline also said that “With modifications to the new configuration expected to be completed in 2026, a subset of the -800s will receive an upgrade to the existing cabin in the first half of this year to improve the guest experience.” .
Commenting on the news, Todd Traynor-Corey, general manager of guest products at Alaska Airlines, said:
“It is more important than ever that we deliver a consistent product to our guests. “The upgrades we are making to our older Boeing aircraft will provide a more consistent experience for guests across our Boeing fleet by making the cabins look and feel more like our 737-9 and 737-8 aircraft.”
In December Alaska Air Group announced plans to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion, subject to approval by regulators and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. shareholders.
alaskaair.com
