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Alaska Airlines fleet

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Alaska Airlines commemorated its relationship with Boeing in 2016, with a livery on a 737-900ER aircraft celebrating the plane maker's 100th anniversary.

The Alaska Airlines fleet are all Boeing 737 series aircraft, operated directly by Alaska Airlines. A regional fleet of Alaska branded Embraer 175 jets are operated by the Alaska Air Group-owned regional airline Horizon Air and third-party contractor SkyWest Airlines.

The cargo fleet consists of three Boeing 737-700 freighter jets and one Boeing 737-800 freighter jet that were formerly passenger aircraft. An additional passenger 737-800 is under conversion to cargo.

Alaska Airlines advertises its relationship with Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Nearly all aircraft in the mainline fleet have the Boeing logo and "Proudly All Boeing" under the cockpit windows.[1] Alaska operates an aircraft in a special livery celebrating the plane maker's 100th anniversary.[2]

The airline has a relationship/contract with American Airlines' MRO subsidiary (Tulsa, OK) for heavy overhaul work for their aircraft.

Current fleet

Both Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines operate Embraer 175 aircraft for Alaska.
Alaska Air Cargo operates the 737-700F, one of two variants in its fleet.

As of July 29, 2024, the combined Alaska Airlines-branded fleet consists of the following jet aircraft:[3]

Alaska Airlines fleet
Aircraft In fleet Orders Passengers Notes
F Y+ Y Total
Mainline passenger fleet
Boeing 737-700 11 — 12 18 94 124
Boeing 737-800 56 — 12 30 117 159
3 — 12 30 120 162
Boeing 737-900 12 — 16 24 138 178
Boeing 737-900ER 79 — 16 24 138 178
Boeing 737 MAX 8 5 15 12 30 117 159
Boeing 737 MAX 9 70 11[citation needed] 16 24 138 178
Boeing 737 MAX 10 — 103==Orphaned non-free image File:Yeti airlines, last moments before crash.jpeg==
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TBA 190 Deliveries are expected to begin in mid-2025 at the earliest.
Regional passenger fleet
Embraer 175 44 6 12 16 48 76 Operated by Horizon Air
42 1 Operated by SkyWest Airlines
Cargo fleet
Boeing 737-700F 3 — Cargo
Boeing 737-800F 2 — Cargo
Total 327 134

Fleet history

Alaska Airlines received its first Boeing 727-100 jet in 1966.

Since the 1960s, Alaska has consistently operated Boeing jet aircraft in its fleet. The first jetliner type operated by the airline was the Convair 880. Alaska also operated the Convair 990 jetliner. Besides the current Boeing 737 models flown by Alaska, the airline previously operated Boeing 707, Boeing 720 and Boeing 720B four-engine jets as well as the three-engine Boeing 727-100 and 727-200, and the twin-engine 737-200, 737-400 and Airbus A319 and A320.[4] The last 727 was retired in May 1994.[5]

In the 1980s, Alaska began acquiring McDonnell Douglas MD-80s.[6] Alaska acquired additional MD-80s via the acquisition of Jet America Airlines in 1987.[7] Alaska was the launch customer for the MD-83 and took delivery of the first airplanes in 1985.[6] Alaska continued to take delivery of new MD-83s in the 1990s, both to meet the demands of a growing route system and to retire its aging and fuel-inefficient 727 fleet. In 2005, due to the greater efficiency of the Boeing 737 Next Generation and rising costs for maintenance, fuel and crew training, Alaska Airlines decided to phase out the remaining 26 MD-80s and trained the pilots to fly the newer 737-800s that were being ordered to replace them. The last MD-80 flights took place in August 2008.[6]

Between 1981 and 2017, Boeing 737 Combi aircraft played a large role in the airline's cargo deployment on routes to the state of Alaska.

Alaska used eight Boeing 737–200 Combi/QCs to suit the unique needs of flying in the state of Alaska. These combi aircraft operated with a mixed load of passengers and freight on the main deck. They were valued for their ability to be rapidly reconfigured, hence the moniker QC or "Quick Change", to match the cargo and passenger loads for any given flight. In the all-freight configuration, the 737-200 Combis carried up to six cargo containers, known as "igloos." The palletized floor allowed for passenger seating to range from 26 to 72 seats. The 737-200s were gravel-kitted, which allowed them to be used at airports such as Red Dog, which formerly featured a gravel runway.[8]

Between 2006 and 2007, Alaska replaced the 737-200s with six reconfigured 737-400s. Five featured a mixed cargo/passenger Combi arrangement. One was a freighter carrying only cargo. Unlike the 737-200 Combi, the 737-400 Combis featured a fixed seating capacity of 72 seats.[9] The last 737-200 Combi, short for combination, was retired in 2007 and is now displayed at the Alaska Aviation Museum.[10][11] The 737-400 Combi aircraft were retired in October 2017.[12] Alaska Airlines retired their passenger 737-400s in March 2018. At the time, it was the last major airline operating the 737 Classic.

The current cargo fleet consists of three Boeing 737-700 freighter jets, that were formerly passenger aircraft and converted to cargo aircraft in 2016 and 2017 by Israel Aerospace Industries.[13] By the end of 2023, Alaska Air Cargo plans to add an additional three 737-800 freighters to be converted by Boeing, from Alaska's existing fleet.[citation needed] Because the -800 can carry 40% more cargo than the -700, the aircraft will nearly double Alaska Air Cargo's available capacity.[citation needed]

Alaska Airlines Airbus A321neo (N929VA) on final approach to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

After Alaska merged with Virgin America on January 11, 2018, it took possession of its fleet of Airbus aircraft. Over time, the airline slowly removed the Airbus jets from its fleet. All ten Airbus A319 jets were taken out of service in mid-2020 due to insufficient demand and low-profit margins due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] The fleet of 53 A320 jets was slowly removed from service as leases expired and new 737s were purchased, with the final jet going out of service in January 2023.[15][16] The airline's ten remaining Airbus A321neo jets are scheduled to be removed from service by the end of 2023, as part of their fleet simplification plan to revert to an all-Boeing fleet.[17]

In January 2021, Alaska Airlines took delivery of its first 737 MAX 9, registered N913AK.[18]

In January 2023, Alaska Horizon operated their last Bombardier Q400 flight.[citation needed][19][20]

In September 2023, Alaska Airlines operated their last Airbus A321neo flight under AS1126. This was the last ever Airbus flight for Alaska Airlines.[citation needed]

Former fleet

Alaska Airlines formerly operated the following aircraft:[21]

Aircraft: Total Introduced Retired Notes
Airbus A319-100 10 2018 2020 Former Virgin America fleet.
Airbus A320-200 53 2023
Airbus A321neo 10 All were sold to American Airlines.
Boeing 707[22] 4 1970 1973 Three leased at different times from Pan Am.[23][24][25]
Boeing 720[26] 4 1973 1975
Boeing 727-100 32 1966 1990 N2969G crashed as Flight 1866.
N124AS crashed as Flight 60.
Boeing 727-200 29 1970 1994
Boeing 737-200C 9 1981 2007
Boeing 737-400 40 1992 2018 One converted into a freighter, and five into combis.
Bombardier CRJ700 9 2011 Operated by SkyWest Airlines.
Bombardier Q400 54 2011 2023 Operated by Horizon Air.
Convair 880 1 1961 1966 First jetliner operated by the airline.[citation needed]
Convair 990 1 1967 1969
McDonnell Douglas MD-82 14 1985 2007
McDonnell Douglas MD-83 35 2008 N963AS crashed as Flight 261.

Livery

The airline's livery and logo have remained remarkably similar for the last 50 years, with the word Alaska on the front sides of the fuselage, with an image of a native Alaskan Eskimo on the vertical stabilizer as a logo.[27]

The image of the Eskimo first appeared in 1972 alongside three other images that each represented a part of Alaska's history: a totem pole, a gold miner, and Russian spires. The Eskimo is depicted wearing a traditional qulittaq (parka with ruff). In 1976, the airline adopted the Eskimo tail fleet-wide, with the design slightly changed to have the face smiling.[28]

Between the 1970s and the mid-2010s, Alaska's aircraft were painted all white, except for the image on the tail, with dark blue and teal stripes running the length of the sides of the fuselage. Between 1976 and 1990, the stripes were placed above and below the windows, with a simple, small "Alaska" text at the front of the plane.[29] In 1990, the stripes were moved to the "belt line" of the plane, and the word "Alaska" was depicted as a wordmark with the letters designed to look like icicles.[28] Starting in February 2015, Alaska rolled out an updated or "refreshed" livery. The changes included a simplified wordmark, stripes in a lighter shade of blue and darker green, and a simplified Eskimo design on the tail, with no teal outline.[30]

In January 2016, the livery and logo received a major redesign. The Alaska wordmark was further streamlined and the design of the Eskimo logo was simplified and the ruffs on the parka were made more colorful. On the fuselage of planes, the stripes were eliminated and replaced by a "jelly bean" design with waves of dark blue, navy blue, teal, and green running up the side of the plane to the vertical stabilizer.[31]

References

  1. ^ Ostrower, Jon (2023-09-30). "Alaska Airlines, finally all-Boeing, ventures beyond the recovery". The Air Current. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  2. ^ "Celebration of Boeing® Livery". Alaska Airlines. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "Alaska Airlines". Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  4. ^ http://www.airliners.net, photos of Alaska Airlines Boeing 707, 720, 720B, 727-100, 727–200, 737–200 and 737-400 aircraft
  5. ^ "Alaska Airlines Accelerates Aircraft Retirement – Charges to be Taken Against 1993 Results". The Free Library. December 16, 1993. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "Alaska Airlines Completes Transition to All-Boeing Fleet". Alaska Airlines. August 28, 2008. Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  7. ^ Serling, Robert J. (2008). Character and Characters: The Spirit of Alaska Airlines. Seattle: Epicenter Press. p. 237. ISBN 978-1-933245-11-9.
  8. ^ "The Airplane That Never Sleeps". Boeing. July 15, 2002. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  9. ^ "Alaska Airlines Introduces Two 737-400 "Combi" Aircraft to Fleet". Alaska Air Group. February 1, 2007. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  10. ^ Flightline Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  11. ^ "Alaska Airlines Featured in Newest Exhibit at Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum". Alaska Airlines. June 12, 2007. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  12. ^ "The end of an era: Alaska retires unique cargo-passenger 'combi' planes". Alaska Airlines Blog. October 16, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  13. ^ "Alaska Air Cargo introduces world's first converted 737-700 freighter" (Press release). Anchorage, Alaska: Alaska Airlines. September 26, 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  14. ^ Gates, Dominic (May 5, 2020). "Cash crunch from coronavirus crisis will force Alaska Air to shrink". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  15. ^ Beresnevicius, Rytis (January 10, 2023). "Alaska Airlines retires its final Airbus A320". AeroTime. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  16. ^ "Alaska Replaces Most of Its Airbus Fleet with the MAX". Cranky Flier. December 23, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  17. ^ "Alaska Airlines accelerates A321neo phase-out to late 3Q23". ch-aviation. April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  18. ^ "Alaska takes delivery of first Boeing 737 Max". flightglobal.com. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  19. ^ Flightradar24. "Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map". Flightradar24. Retrieved 2023-01-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ @flySEA (January 27, 2023). "Farewell friend. 😘 Join us in saying goodbye to @AlaskaAir's final Q400 flights today. 👋🏽 What's your favorite #Q400 memory? ✈️ #Q400Farewell" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 June 2023 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "Alaska Airlines Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  22. ^ "Aviation Photo #0170167: Boeing 707-321 - Alaska Airlines".
  23. ^ "Lost in Time: When Alaska Airlines Flew Boeing 707s : AirlineReporter".
  24. ^ "Alaska Airlines" by Cliff & Nancy Hollenbeck, pages 134 & 138, first edition 2012, published by Hollenbeck Productions
  25. ^ "Character & Characters: The Spirit of Alaska Airlines" by Robert J. Serling, page 101, first edition 2008, published by Documentary Media LLC
  26. ^ "Aviation Photo #0067195: Boeing 720-022 - Alaska Airlines".
  27. ^ "Alaska Air Group, Inc. – Company History". Funding Universe. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  28. ^ a b Knigge, Halley (January 25, 2016). "The story of the Eskimo: Who is on the tail of Alaska Airlines' planes?". Alaska Airlines Blog. Alaska Airlines. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  29. ^ "The subtle (yet classy) evolution of the Alaska Airlines livery". Norebbo. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  30. ^ Ewing, Ryan (February 20, 2015). "Photos: Alaska Shows Off a Refreshed Look". AirlineGeeks.com. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  31. ^ "Alaska Airlines unveils major brand updates". Alaska Airlines Blog. Alaska Airlines. January 25, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2017.

Media related to Aircraft of Alaska Airlines at Wikimedia Commons

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