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Alaska Airlines Orders Additional Boeing 787 and 737 MAX 10 Jets for Seattle Expansion

Alaska Airlines Expands Fleet with Additional Boeing 787 and 737 MAX 10 Jets
Alaska Airlines has confirmed the exercise of purchase options for five additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, a strategic move to bolster its long-haul fleet amid ongoing integration efforts with Hawaiian Airlines. This development was disclosed by Larry Payne, chair of the Hawaiian Airlines Master Executive Council at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), during a recent Alaska Pilots Podcast and initially reported by The Points Guy.
In conjunction with the Dreamliner order, Alaska Airlines has also committed to acquiring 12 more Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, further enhancing its narrowbody fleet. Although the 737 MAX 10 has yet to receive full certification, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has indicated that certification for the entire 737 MAX family is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Fleet Expansion and Integration Strategy
The additional aircraft orders align with Alaska Airlines’ accelerated efforts to integrate its operations with Hawaiian Airlines following their merger. Payne revealed plans to establish a Hawaiian 787 pilot base in Seattle by March 2026, underscoring the airline’s intention to position Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) as a pivotal hub for expanded long-haul services.
“This is the first phase in what we’re seeing with the company executing on their promise of growth as a result of the merger,” Payne stated. “There’ll be growth on the Hawaiian side as they staff some of these upcoming 787 deliveries out of Seattle.”
According to ch-aviation data, Hawaiian Airlines currently operates a fleet of 75 aircraft, including four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with eight additional Dreamliners previously on order. With Alaska’s latest acquisition, the combined firm commitment for Boeing 787-9s now totals 13. Hawaiian’s broader fleet also comprises Airbus A330s, Boeing 717s, and Airbus A321neos.
Alaska Airlines itself marked a significant milestone in June 2025 by adding its 300th Boeing 737 to the fleet. The carrier operates six variants of the 737 family and maintains a regional fleet of Embraer E175s through its subsidiary, Horizon Air.
Order Book and Delivery Challenges
Alaska Airlines’ current order book includes 13 Boeing 787-9s, 63 Boeing 737 MAX 10s—including the latest 12—and 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. Despite these ambitious plans, the airline faces potential challenges due to ongoing supply chain disruptions affecting Boeing’s production schedules. Such delays could impact Alaska’s ability to implement its growth strategy within the anticipated timeframe.
Competitive Dynamics and International Expansion
In a significant expansion of its international network, Alaska Airlines is preparing to launch its inaugural transatlantic route, connecting Seattle to Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) in May 2026. This initiative represents a major step in the airline’s global growth ambitions.
The move has prompted competitive responses, notably from Delta Air Lines, which plans to introduce new Seattle-to-Barcelona and Seattle-to-Rome flights in May 2026 to counter Alaska’s transatlantic expansion. Other carriers are also expected to adjust their route strategies to safeguard market share in the increasingly contested Pacific Northwest region.
As Alaska Airlines advances its fleet and network expansion, it navigates a complex landscape of opportunities and challenges within a rapidly evolving aviation market.

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