Alaska Airlines Announces Order for Six Boeing Next-Generation 737-900ERs
Feb 18, 2015, 7:40 am
#1
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Glad to see AS continue to add lift. I'm concerned @ the new bins being 2" shorter though- sounds like I'll need to duck more 
Originally Posted by alaskaair.com/newsroom
2/18/2015 4:59:01 AM
SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines' fleet of fuel-efficient Boeing airplanes is growing again. Seattle's hometown airline is purchasing six more Boeing 737-900 Extended Range aircraft, valued at $594 million, Boeing's current list price. The new planes, four scheduled for delivery in 2016 and two in 2017, bring Alaska's total of locally manufactured jets on order to 79.
"We're delighted Boeing is able to expedite delivery of four of these new 737-900ERs, increasing the number of planes we'll receive next year to 19," said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines executive vice president and chief revenue officer. "These comfortable and highly efficient jets will expand and strengthen our already leading Pacific Northwest network."
Alaska operates one of the youngest fleets in North America. The airline is transitioning to Boeing's most modern and efficient 737 "next generation" models. Over the next few years, Alaska's remaining 737-400s will be replaced with 737-900ERs, which transport 25 percent more passengers on the same amount of fuel.
"Alaska's confidence in the 737-900ER is something that everyone at Boeing takes great pride in," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. "As hometown partners, Alaska and Boeing have a shared vision to put the most innovative and fuel-efficient airplanes in the skies. The 737-900ER is a testament to that vision."
Starting later this year, all of Alaska's new 737-900ERs will feature Boeing's innovative Space Bins. The larger overhead bins have a similar look and feel to Alaska's current pivot bins, yet will hold 48 percent more bags than the current bins. When open, the bin's bottom edge hangs about 2 inches lower, which means customers don't have to lift their bags as high to load them. The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed, and let customers load bags with less struggle.
SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines' fleet of fuel-efficient Boeing airplanes is growing again. Seattle's hometown airline is purchasing six more Boeing 737-900 Extended Range aircraft, valued at $594 million, Boeing's current list price. The new planes, four scheduled for delivery in 2016 and two in 2017, bring Alaska's total of locally manufactured jets on order to 79.
"We're delighted Boeing is able to expedite delivery of four of these new 737-900ERs, increasing the number of planes we'll receive next year to 19," said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines executive vice president and chief revenue officer. "These comfortable and highly efficient jets will expand and strengthen our already leading Pacific Northwest network."
Alaska operates one of the youngest fleets in North America. The airline is transitioning to Boeing's most modern and efficient 737 "next generation" models. Over the next few years, Alaska's remaining 737-400s will be replaced with 737-900ERs, which transport 25 percent more passengers on the same amount of fuel.
"Alaska's confidence in the 737-900ER is something that everyone at Boeing takes great pride in," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. "As hometown partners, Alaska and Boeing have a shared vision to put the most innovative and fuel-efficient airplanes in the skies. The 737-900ER is a testament to that vision."
Starting later this year, all of Alaska's new 737-900ERs will feature Boeing's innovative Space Bins. The larger overhead bins have a similar look and feel to Alaska's current pivot bins, yet will hold 48 percent more bags than the current bins. When open, the bin's bottom edge hangs about 2 inches lower, which means customers don't have to lift their bags as high to load them. The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed, and let customers load bags with less struggle.
Feb 18, 2015, 9:04 am
#2
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the literalist in me is kinda curious about "48% more bags" ... I suspect it means "48% more total volume in a bin"; however, there's no way that equates to "space to cram in a third bag where the current configuration only holds two with a bit of extra room"
Feb 18, 2015, 12:36 pm
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I'm worried about the 25% more passengers on the same fuel... Does that mean seat pitch has changed and we have a couple more rows stuffed in there... Or is that a horrible way of saying they use less fuel on any given flight & when we factor that into "per passenger fuel use", they're 25% better then current ones...
Edit: also, is this a flat out 1:1 replacement, or is the fleet growing overall? I wouldn't mind seeing a couple new routes open up to the eastern side of the USA...
Edit: also, is this a flat out 1:1 replacement, or is the fleet growing overall? I wouldn't mind seeing a couple new routes open up to the eastern side of the USA...
Feb 18, 2015, 12:38 pm
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Glad to see AS continue to add lift. I'm concerned @ the new bins being 2" shorter though- sounds like I'll need to duck more
Glad to see AS continue to add lift. I'm concerned @ the new bins being 2" shorter though- sounds like I'll need to duck more
Feb 18, 2015, 12:55 pm
#5
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I'm worried about the 25% more passengers on the same fuel... Does that mean seat pitch has changed and we have a couple more rows stuffed in there... Or is that a horrible way of saying they use less fuel on any given flight & when we factor that into "per passenger fuel use", they're 25% better then current ones...
Edit: also, is this a flat out 1:1 replacement, or is the fleet growing overall? I wouldn't mind seeing a couple new routes open up to the eastern side of the USA...
Edit: also, is this a flat out 1:1 replacement, or is the fleet growing overall? I wouldn't mind seeing a couple new routes open up to the eastern side of the USA...
seating comparison (Seatguru numbers) shows exactly a 25% increase in coach: 132 on the -400, 165 on the -900
Feb 18, 2015, 1:19 pm
#6
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Aren't these new bins designed to hold the bag standing on it's side vs. flat? I think that's how they'll get 48% more bags overhead.
Feb 18, 2015, 3:19 pm
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Feb 18, 2015, 3:35 pm
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according to the AS website, their fleet plan is to increase by 10 a/c by 2017. This year they plan to increase by 6. Whether all the 734s and 73Gs will be replaced by then? thats really hard to tell. I think their replacements have already been delayed due to recent AS expansion in the vs. DL battle. Probably depends how that goes as to whether or not the decomission of the 734s is sped up or delayed even more. On the flip side, AS doesnt really have a whole lot of cities left to fly to that are in range of a 737 and can provide the loads of a 737 from the Seattle market on a daily basis
Feb 18, 2015, 4:00 pm
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according to the AS website, their fleet plan is to increase by 10 a/c by 2017. This year they plan to increase by 6. Whether all the 734s and 73Gs will be replaced by then? thats really hard to tell. I think their replacements have already been delayed due to recent AS expansion in the vs. DL battle. Probably depends how that goes as to whether or not the decomission of the 734s is sped up or delayed even more. On the flip side, AS doesnt really have a whole lot of cities left to fly to that are in range of a 737 and can provide the loads of a 737 from the Seattle market on a daily basis
It's sad because the 734 still do a lot of quality service for the airline but the combination of efficiency and scowl on passengers faces boarding -400s makes it just a business decision...a $594M business decision.
Feb 18, 2015, 4:25 pm
#10
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SEA is certainly the largest hub for AS but not the only one. There are plenty of markets to grow from not only SEA but ANC/PDX/LAX hubs and SAN/SLC focus cities too. There has always been competition but the problem with rapid growth is that the airline can't train enough pilots to grow the airline to serve all the markets available. As previously mentioned, this order will likely replace the -400s 1:1 as the airline will not be putting in all the Alaska Beyond extras into 734s as the -800/900/900er will have.
It's sad because the 734 still do a lot of quality service for the airline but the combination of efficiency and scowl on passengers faces boarding -400s makes it just a business decision...a $594M business decision.
It's sad because the 734 still do a lot of quality service for the airline but the combination of efficiency and scowl on passengers faces boarding -400s makes it just a business decision...a $594M business decision.
Last edited by ANC; Feb 18, 2015 at 4:32 pm
Feb 18, 2015, 4:58 pm
#11
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Ya, I was kinda hoping for more service from PDX and LAX/BUR out east. Just to give more options. They are pretty decently covered, but I wouldn't say no to two or three more routes out there...
I would love them opening up a couple international routes, Japan, China, South Korea... But that's a totally different dream and different set of planes...
I would love them opening up a couple international routes, Japan, China, South Korea... But that's a totally different dream and different set of planes...
Feb 18, 2015, 5:49 pm
#12
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ANC-LAS is 3x a week on AS.
ANC-LAS is 3x a week on AS.
Feb 18, 2015, 6:18 pm
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