Historic Farewell: Alaska Retires Pioneering 737-900
Alaska Airlines has officially retired its first-ever Boeing 737-900 after 24 years of service, marking the end of an era for the airline and aviation enthusiasts alike. This historically significant aircraft, which served as a prototype for extensive testing and paved the way for the subsequent Boeing 737-900ER, completed its final flight on April 8, 2025. The aircraft, a pioneer of its type and one of the original models delivered to Alaska Airlines on May 15, 2001, has now been permanently grounded and flown to Pinal Airpark in Arizona for retirement.
The retirement flight of the iconic 737-900, registered as N302AS, took off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) as flight AS9414 at around 11:30 local time. According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft touched down at Pinal Airpark (MZJ) at approximately 13:53 local time, marking the end of its distinguished career. Video footage shared on the social media platform X captured the poignant final moments of this historic aircraft as it made its last departure, leaving behind a legacy that has contributed significantly to the development of the Boeing 737 family.
The retirement of N302AS comes at a time when Alaska Airlines is phasing out its aging fleet. The day before its official retirement flight, the aircraft completed its final service, stopping at key airports including San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This route, which spanned multiple important hubs, served as a fitting farewell for a plane that was once a symbol of innovation for Alaska Airlines.
Notably, N302AS was one of three 737-900 aircraft in the airline’s fleet that were manufactured without winglets—a distinctive feature that sets them apart in the skies and underscores their rarity. The Boeing 737-900 was initially introduced as a new variant, but it did not gain widespread popularity, with only 52 units delivered before the improved 737-900ER replaced it. Alaska Airlines was the first operator of the 737-900 model, and the aircraft holds a special place in the airline’s history. The original 737-900 made headlines when Iditarod Trail sled-dog race champion Doug Swingley and his team escorted the aircraft out of the factory during its world premiere rollout celebration in Renton, Washington.
As the airline retires N302AS, only four airframes of this particular variant remain in the Alaska Airlines fleet. The carrier has announced that these remaining aircraft are slated to be phased out by the end of 2025, marking a definitive end to the era of the original Boeing 737-900 within the fleet. For Alaska Airlines, the retirement of this model is not just about updating its fleet; it is a farewell to an aircraft that played a key role in its history and in the evolution of narrowbody jet travel.
The retirement of the pioneering Boeing 737-900 is a moment of reflection for both the airline and its passengers. While newer, more efficient aircraft take to the skies, the legacy of N302AS endures, reminding us of a time when innovation and bold experimentation reshaped commercial aviation. Alaska Airlines’ decision to retire this model is a testament to its commitment to modernizing its fleet while preserving the rich heritage of its operations.
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