Alaska Airlines Doubles Down on Boeing with Largest Order in Its History
Alaska Airlines announced this Wednesday a historic order with Boeing for 110 firm aircraft and options for 35 additional ones, combining the 737-10 and 787. This is a key decision to secure capacity, efficiency, and sustained international expansion through 2035.
In a market marked by supply chain bottlenecks and intense competition for airport slots, securing long-term deliveries has become as strategic as the choice of aircraft model. Airlines that now secure positions on assembly lines guarantee growth, fleet renewal, and cost efficiency for the next decade. In this context, Alaska Airlines’ move aligns with a clear trend: disciplined growth, supported by next-generation aircraft with lower fuel consumption.
An Unprecedented Order for Alaska
The announcement includes:
- 105 firm Boeing 737-10 aircraft
- 5 additional Boeing 787s, exercising all previous options
- Purchase rights for 35 more 737-10s
With this deal, Alaska’s total orderbook with Boeing rises to 245 aircraft, in addition to the 94 MAX aircraft already in operation.
Narrowbodies: Growth and Replacement
The 737-10, the largest in the MAX family, will be the pillar of the short- and medium-haul fleet. Alaska already operates the 737-8 and 737-9 and maintains contractual flexibility to adjust the mix of variants if necessary. The airline defines this order as a combination of growth and replacement, aimed at retiring older 737s while maintaining one of the youngest and most efficient fleets in the global premium sector.
From an operational standpoint, the 737-10 allows for greater capacity per cycle, improves Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) without penalizing unit costs, and optimizes the use of crews and slots at congested airports.
Widebodies: Seattle as an Intercontinental Hub
The order for five additional 787s, with the intention of receiving them as 787-10s, raises the future widebody fleet to 17 units, five of which are already in service.
These aircraft are key to the Alaska Accelerate plan, which aims to operate at least 12 long-haul international destinations from Seattle by 2030. The 787-10, with its greater capacity and efficiency on high-density routes, reinforces the strategy of maximizing Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) from a hub that is geographically well-positioned for the Pacific.
Clear Signals to Market
With a current fleet of 413 aircraft, Alaska Air Group projects to exceed 475 aircraft by 2030 and 550 by 2035. This places the company on a path of sustained growth, backed by:
- Fuel efficiency as a core competitive advantage
- Fleet standardization to reduce operational complexity
- Own intercontinental capacity, reducing dependence on partners
For Boeing, the agreement reinforces the loyalty of a long-standing customer and provides long-term visibility at a time when every large-volume order holds high strategic value.
More Than Numbers: A Six-Decade Alliance
The announcement coincides with the 60th anniversary of the relationship between Alaska and Boeing, which began with the delivery of a Boeing 727. The unveiling of the first 787-9 with Alaska’s new global livery, inspired by the Aurora Borealis, adds a symbolic dimension to the agreement. The painting process required nearly 1,000 hours of work over 13 days, reflecting a strong commitment to brand identity on long-haul routes.
Growth Under Control
The largest order in Alaska Airlines’ history is not just a fleet expansion; it is a statement of intent. Securing capacity through 2035 with next-generation aircraft and a clear international roadmap positions the airline to compete in an increasingly demanding landscape.
It remains to be seen how the 737-10 certifications, delivery schedules, and the execution of the long-haul plan will evolve. But the message to the market is unequivocal: Alaska wants to grow, and it wants to do so with scale, efficiency, and predictability.
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