Alaska Airlines Orders 110 Boeing Jets in Major Expansion

Alaska Airlines is poised to begin an extensive expansion with a new fleet order that represents the largest in the airline’s history.

In its Jan. 7 announcement, Alaska Airlines said its order of 105 new 737-10 aircraft and five new 787 widebody aircraft will set the stage to position itself as the country’s fourth-largest global airline. With a delivery stream running through 2035, the order from Boeing also includes an option for 35 additional 737-10 aircraft within the same timeframe.

This is the first time the airline will feature a 787 widebody plane in its fleet, and it will be able to offer flights across Europe and Asia.

“This fleet investment builds on the strong foundation Alaska has created to support steady, scalable and sustained growth, and is another building block in executing our Alaska Accelerate strategic plan,” Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci said in the announcement.

“These planes will fuel our expansion to more destinations across the globe and ensure our guests travel aboard the newest, most fuel-efficient and state-of-the-art aircraft.”

The airline already operates a narrowbody fleet including the 737-9 and 737-8 aircraft. The new order covers the 737-10 planes, but as part of their agreement with Boeing, Alaska Airlines has the option to adjust to a different model if needed.

Coordinating with its announcement, Alaska Airlines, Boeing, and U.S. Department of Transportation leaders joined with employees, customers, and guests on Jan. 7 to celebrate the fleet order and welcome the first 787-9 aircraft with the firm’s new global livery. It features the Alaska Airlines logo along with the colors of midnight blue and emerald green, inspired by the Aurora Borealis. The exterior design took artists nearly 1,000 hours to paint.

“As we transform into the country’s fourth largest global airline, we are proud to introduce a new, global livery for the Alaska brand,” Minicucci said. “The design is a tribute to Alaska’s rich history and a reflection of our bold vision for international growth and our commitment to connect the Pacific Northwest to the world.”

Delta, United, and American Airlines are often noted as the nation’s “Big Three” airlines.

With its new order, Alaska will be able to replace its aging 737s, as well as grow the company by expanding flights globally.

Addition of the 787 widebody planes also supports the Alaska Accelerate strategic plan to enable the airline—by 2030—to offer at least 12 long-haul international destinations from Seattle, its global gateway.  The order will bring the company’s 787 widebody fleet to 17.

Alaska Airlines currently owns and operates 413 aircraft. That number will grow to 475 aircraft by 2030 and more than 550 by 2035.

Currently, Alaska Airlines serves more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific.

Flights from Seattle are now available for booking to London, Rome, Reykjavik, Tokyo, and Seoul. While flights to Japan and South Korea are already in service, those bound for England, Italy, and Iceland will begin this spring.

Seattle-based Alaska Air Group is the parent company of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air. In addition to Seattle, the airlines have hubs in Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Passengers can book travel through the Alaska Airlines website and earn and redeem points through Atmos Rewards.