Alakasa Airlines orders 50 Boeing aircraft

SEATTLE, 13 Oct. 2012. Alaska Airlines has placed a firm order for 50 Boeing [NYSE:BA] aircraft, including 20 737 MAX 8s, 17 737 MAX 9s and 13 Next-Generation 737-900ERs. The order, which is valued at more than $5 billion at current list prices, is the largest in Alaska Airlines' history.

The 737 MAX is a new-engine variant of the 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver higher fuel efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX offers a 13 percent fuel-use improvement over current single-aisle airplanes. The 737 MAX's structural design, engine thrust, efficient maintenance also can save airlines money, company officials say.

The 737-900ER is designed to meet the range and passenger capacity airlines require, featuring seating capacity for 180 passengers using a 2-class configuration or 215 passengers in a single-class configuration.

Alaska Airlines currently flies an all-Boeing fleet, which includes 120 Boeing 737s. The new order, plus 25 existing firm delivery positions, is meant to the carrier the flexibility to manage the size of its fleet to meet air travel demand over the next decade.

This order brings the total number of 737 MAX orders to date to 858 airplanes.