Alaska Airlines Welcomes First Boeing 737-8, Eyes Mid-1Q 2024 Operations

Alaska Airlines (AS), based at Seattle Tacoma International, reached a significant milestone with the delivery of its inaugural Boeing 737-8 aircraft, N801AK (msn 67802), on December 27, 2023. The carrier’s fleet expansion took a tangible step forward as the new aircraft completed a brief ferry flight from Seattle Boeing Field to Oakland on the same day.

The delivery of this first B737-8 marks the beginning of Alaska Airlines’ transition to the Boeing 737 MAX series. With an additional nine B737-8s currently on order, these new additions will complement the sixty-five B737-9s already in operation for the airline. The comprehensive fleet renewal plan also includes pending deliveries of twenty-three B737-9s and forty-eight B737-10s. Over time, these modern B737 MAX aircraft will gradually replace the existing B737NG fleet, which consists of eleven B737-700s, fifty-nine B737-800s, twelve B737-900s, and seventy-nine B737-900ERs.

According to the ch-aviation schedules, N801AK is scheduled to commence commercial operations on February 15, 2024. Initially, the aircraft will operate twice-daily roundtrips on the popular Portland International to Los Angeles International route. As additional B737-8s join the fleet, Alaska Airlines plans to expand the aircraft’s operations to cover more routes from its bases at Los Angeles and Seattle Tacoma International airports.

To gain further insights into this fleet expansion and its operational implications, ch-aviation has reached out to Alaska Airlines for additional comments. Stay tuned for more updates on Alaska Airlines’ strategic fleet development and the anticipated mid-1Q24 launch of its B737-8 operations.