Alaska Receives Its 100th 737NG and Orders Two More 737-900ERs

Alaska Airlines has completed Boeing’s first firm commercial-jet order of 2014, with a deal for two additional 737-900ER aircraft.

The order, which Boeing values at $192 million at current list prices, coincided with the January 14 delivery of the 100th Boeing 737NG ordered directly from Boeing by Alaska Airlines and delivered directly to the airline by the manufacturer.

On January 14, 2014, Alaska Airlines took delivery of its 100th Boeing 737NG ordered directly from the manufacturer. On the same day Alaska Airlines ordered two more Boeing 737-900ERs, giving Boeing Commercial Airplanes its first finalized order of 2014

“As the hometown airline in ‘Jet City’ for more than half a century, Alaska is proud to fly an all-Boeing fleet,” said Mark Eliasen, Alaska Air Group’s vice president of finance and treasurer. “The 737-900ER has proven to be an ideal upgrade for us. This aircraft offers impressive operational efficiencies and environmental benefits, and our customers are very pleased with its onboard amenities.”

Alaska Airlines’ latest Boeing 737-900ER order and delivery of its 100th 737NG was marked by a special celebration and delivery flight attended by 50 front-line employees from the airline and 50 Boeing employees.

“Alaska Airlines consistently leads the industry, and they’ve built a strong performance record with Boeing’s 737s,” said Brad McMullen, vice president of North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are very proud to be Alaska Airlines’ hometown partner and have a role in the success of their business. This order, with the delivery of the 100th Next-Generation 737, is further testament to our enduring partnership with Alaska Airlines.”

Alaska Airlines showed off a newly painted, Disney-themed aircraft on November 7, 2013. The special livery, painted on a Boeing 737-800 named ‘Adventure of Disneyland Resort’, made its public debut at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Alaska Airlines’ main base. The aircraft is the fifth Disney-themed aircraft in Alaska Airlines’ fleet

The airline-manufacturer partnership results in a significant economic benefit for the Pacific Northwest, according to Boeing. The Boeing 737, assembled at The Boeing Company’s Renton, Washington, final-assembly line, is the world’s best-selling airliner family and more than 5,400 737s of various models are currently in service worldwide.

On average, one 737 takes off or lands every 2.3 seconds, according to Boeing.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes contributes more than $940 million each week into the Washington state economy. In 2012, Boeing paid more than 2,000 Washington state suppliers a total of $4.6 billion, supporting an estimated 125,000 direct and indirect jobs in Washington State.

Alaska Airlines and its regional sister airline, Horizon Air, contribute 22,000 jobs at the carriers and their business partners, generating another $5.6 billion in annual economic activity across the state.

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 largest and newest model in the 737NG family, the Boeing 737-900ER can carry up to 26 more passengers or fly about 500 nautical miles (926 kilometers) farther than the 737-900. Alaska Airlines operates the 737-900ER in a two-class configuration with 181 seats and all its 737-900ERs are fitted with the 787-derived Boeing Sky Interior.

Alaska Airlines flies 131 Boeing 737s of various models, including 14 737-900ERs. The carrier has firm orders outstanding for 68 737-900ERs and Boeing 737 MAX jets to be delivered through 2022.

The carrier took delivery of its first 737-900ER in October 2012. Alaska Airlines began adding 737NGs to its fleet in July 1999, with its first delivery of a Boeing 737-700.