Alaska Airlines and Boeing on Thursday morning confirmed that the carrier had ordered 50 Boeing 737 MAX and 737NG airliners.
The largest purchase in Alaska Airlines history, it includes 20 737 MAX 8s, 17 737 MAX 9s and 13 737-900ERs.
Based on current list prices, the total value of the deal approaches $5.1 billion.
Alaska says two-thirds of the new planes will be used to replace older planes, while the remainder will help the Seattle-based carrier expand its route network. The first 737 MAX 8 is expected on Alaska property in 2018, with the 737 MAX 9 due the following year.
“This order positions us for growth and ensures that we’ll continue to operate the quietest and most fuel-efficient aircraft available for the foreseeable future. That means our customers will continue to enjoy a comfortable inflight experience, low fares and excellent on-time performance,” Alaska Airlines President and CEO Brad Tilden said. “We value our longstanding relationship with Boeing and look forward to painting ‘Proudly All Boeing’ on the nose of our aircraft for many, many years into the future.”
Alaska is the fourth US airline to announce an order for Boeing’s latest narrowbody airliner, joining Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines.
Expected to enter service in 2017, the 737 MAX is an efficiency-focused update of the ubiquitous 737 line. It will be powered by new CFM LEAP-1B engines, which in concert with aerodynamic and weight improvements, promise a 13 percent increase in fuel efficiency compared to current 737s. Boeing also promises an 8 percent cost-per-seat advantage over the competing Airbus A320neo.
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SEATTLE – Alaska Airlines will on Thursday announce a substantial order for as many as 50 Boeing 737 aircraft, sources say.
Precise details are unconfirmed, but it appears the order will be split between some current generation 737NG aircraft and a larger number of the 737MAX currently under development.
The order will likely be the largest Alaska Airlines has ever placed according to records searches.
Tune in tomorrow for more on this developing story.
