Alaska Airlines Orders Five More Boeing 737-900ERs

Alaska Airlines has ordered five additional Boeing 737-900ERs in a deal which Boeing values at $481 million at list prices.

“Today’s announcement supports our goal of growing Alaska Airlines by 4 to 8 per cent a year,” says Mark Eliasen, vice president of finance and treasurer for Alaska Air Group, Alaska Airlines’ parent company. “The 737-900ER is a great aircraft, with the cost efficiency and reliability needed for us to be successful in today’s competitive marketplace.”

The largest and newest model in the Boeing 737NG family, the 737-900ER can carry up to 26 more passengers or fly about 500 nautical miles (926 kilometers) farther than the basic 737-900.

On September 30, 2013, Alaska Airlines ordered five more Boeing 737-900ERs to add to 38 it had already ordered, some of which were in service with the airline by that date

Alaska Airlines operates the Boeing 737-900ER in a two-class configuration with 181 seats.

Its 737-900ERs feature the Boeing Sky Interior, which introduces new lighting and a curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way.

According to Boeing, passengers experience a more open cabin feel and an environment simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The interior also features sculpted sidewalls and newly improved and expanded pivot bins.

In addition, all of the seats on Alaska Airlines’ 737-900ERs will feature outlets providing dual 110-volt and USB power.

On November 8, 2012, Alaska Airlines introduced into service the first of 38 Boeing 737-900ERs it had ordered. In Alaska Airlines service, the aircraft are deployed mainly on transcontinental routes and flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. Alaska’s 737-900ERs feature new, slimmer seats, with 16 seats in the First Class cabin and 165 in Economy

The longer range of the 737-900ER can connect distant city pairs across continents, such as Seattle to Orlando, in two-class configuration.

Boeing claims the 737-900ER has substantial economic advantages over competing models (such as the Airbus A321), including 6 per cent lower operating costs per trip and 4 per cent lower operating costs per seat mile.

Including its September 30 order, Alaska Airlines now has unfilled orders for 35 Boeing 737-900ERs and 37 Boeing 737 MAX jets.