In what it called "the largest commitment for future aircraft in the airline’s history," Alaska Airlines has ordered from Boeing 52 737 Max aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2027, the carrier announced Wednesday.
The carrier currently operates 35 Max 737-9 aircraft and expects to accept the delivery of another 43 Max planes by the end of 2023. The move will help accelerate Alaska's plans to transition to a single fleet, with all Airbus A320 and Bombardier Q400 aircraft out of Alaska's fleet by the end of 2023.
The new order includes 737-8, 737-9 and 737-10 aircraft, according to Alaska, which will enable it "to optimally match aircraft size and capability with market characteristics."
"This investment secures aircraft to optimize our growth through the next decade, which we know will be a formidable competitive advantage," Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said in a statement.