Alaska Airlines increases MAX-order

On 26 October 2022, Alaska Airlines announced its largest aircraft order in the airline's 90-year history. In total, the airline has firmed options on 52 B737MAXs with Boeing into firm orders and secured options on another 105 B737MAXs. The new aircraft will be delivered between 2024 and 2027 and takes the total firm ordered of B737MAXs to 146.

The latest order will be comprised of B737-8, B737-9 and B737-10s but the exact breakdown will be decided once production dates comes closer. The airline has secured the rights to switch to any MAX-variant dependent on the airline's needs. If the airline decides to firm up all its options, it could have a fleet of over 250 B737MAXs by 2030.

Today, Alaska Airlines operates a fleet of 35 B737-9s. Next year, the airline will take delivery of a new MAX every ten days and is planning to have 78 in service by end 2023. The MAXs being delivered in the coming year will mainly be used to replace the airline's 30 Airbus A320s and ten A321neos, which will exit the fleet end 2023.

Photo by Anton Homma.