Alaska Airlines has just announced its largest-ever aircraft order, and it’s perhaps no surprise that the Seattle-based carrier has kept its longstanding partnership with Boeing intact.
The carrier confirmed an order for a total of 110 new Boeing airplanes on Wednesday, but that wasn’t the only announcement up the airline’s sleeve, as it also unveiled pictures of its first 787 Dreamliner in a new Alaska Airlines ‘global’ livery.
Alaska Airlines orders 110 new aircraft in largest-ever order
Alaska Airlines has just confirmed an order for 105 Boeing 737 MAX-10 – the as-yet-to-be-certified aircraft, which is the largest variant of the 737 MAX range.
The airline will use these aircraft on high-density routes as part of a fleet renewal and expansion program that will extend through the end of 2035. The order comprises previous ‘options’ that Alaska Airlines held with Boeing.
In addition, the airline has also secured options for a further 35 Boeing 737 MAX-10s should it require them. Alaska Airlines has also reserved the right to change models through this delivery pipeline based on its needs.
That’s not, however, the only aircraft type that Alaska Airlines has ordered. The airline also confirmed that it has ordered five brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners as part of its Alaska Accelerate strategic plan.
New 787 Dreamliner will enable flights to 12 new long-haul destinations
Alaska Airlines is now operating its first-ever international long-haul flights on its own Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and the new order for an additional five Dreamliners is key to its plans to launch at least 12 global destinations by 2030.
Alaska Airlines already has five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that originally belonged to Hawaiian Airlines, so the total fleet size will come to 17 Dreamliners. Five of these aircraft are intended to be the larger 787-10 variant.
The carrier is already operating two long-haul routes on ex-Hawaiian Airlines planes to:
- Seoul Incheon, South Korea
- Tokyo Narita, Japan
In just a few months, however, Alaska Airlines plans to significantly expand its long-haul reach:
- On April 28, a new summer seasonal route to Rome, Italy, will launch
- On May 21, a new year-round service to London Heathrow will launch
- On May 28, a summer seasonal service to Reykjavik, Iceland, will launch
All of these flights will be served on Boeing 787s, except for flights to Reykjavik will be flown on a Boeing 737 MAX-8.
Alaska Airlines unveils first Dreamliner in new ‘global’ livery
As part of its long-haul expansion, Alaska Airlines has decided to launch a new ‘global’ livery for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Although the design was unveiled last year in renderings, the first Dreamliner to have the paint scheme applied has just rolled out of the hangar.
“As we transform into the country’s fourth largest global airline, we are proud to introduce a new, global livery for the Alaska brand,” the airline’s chief executive, Ben Minicucci, commented on Wednesday.
“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.”
As part of its merger deal with Hawaiian Airlines, the entire group is now operating under a single operating certificate, but the Alaska Airlines Group is keen to keep its distinctive identities.
- Domestic and short-haul international flights operated on Boeing 737s will retain the classic Alaska Airlines livery, featuring the iconic Alaska Native on the tailfin.
- The Hawaiian Airlines livery and brand identity will feature on flights to, from, and within Hawaii, with the famous Pualani character on the tailfin.
- Long-haul flights operated by Alaska Airlines will feature the new global livery.
Hawaiian Airlines is also getting a big investment
Earlier this week, the Alaska Airlines group also announced a major investment program for the Hawaiian Airlines brand. This includes renovations to lobbies and gates in Honolulu, Līhu‘e, Kahului, Kona, and Hilo, as well as a new 10,600-square-foot premium lounge in Honolulu.
Around $600 million will be spent over the next five years to improve the Hawaiian Airlines experience, which includes a full interior upgrade of the carrier’s Airbus A330 widebody fleet.
