Alaska Airlines commits to 110 Boeing jets; Will the uncertified 737 MAX 10 fuel global expansion?
Key Points
- 1110 firm aircraft ordered: 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10s and five 787-10 Dreamliners, the largest order in Alaska Airlines' history.
- 2The wide-body 787-10s are critical to the 'global gateway' strategy, aiming for at least 12 long-haul international routes from Seattle by 2030.
- 3The 737 MAX 10 remains uncertified by the FAA, posing a key delivery risk, though Alaska retains flexibility to substitute variants.
- 4The Alaska Air Group fleet is projected to grow from 413 to over 550 aircraft by 2035, driven by this order and the Hawaiian Airlines acquisition.
Alaska Airlines announced the largest aircraft order in its history. The major commitment is for 110 new jets from Boeing. The deal includes 105 firm orders for the narrow-body 737 MAX 10. It also includes five wide-body 787-10 Dreamliners. The agreement secures critical delivery slots through 2035. Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci confirmed the investment. He stated the planes will fuel expansion across the globe. Boeing is a long-time partner and Pacific Northwest neighbor.
Fueling the Global Gateway Strategy
This fleet investment is central to the carrier's growth strategy. Alaska aims to transform its Seattle hub into a “global gateway.” The goal is to offer at least 12 new long-haul international routes by 2030. The new wide-body jets are key to these ambitions. They will enable service to Europe and Asia. The five new 787-10s will bring the firm 787 fleet to 17 aircraft. Five of these Dreamliners are already in service. The airline has already announced five of the 12 target routes. These include nonstop flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Service to Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo-Narita began in 2025. New 2026 routes include London, Rome, and Reykjavik, Iceland. The Reykjavik route will be operated by a 737-8 MAX.
Fleet Evolution and Wide-Body Expansion
The airline’s global pivot began with a key strategic move. Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airlines in 2024. This acquisition instantly provided a wide-body fleet. It included Airbus A330s and A321neos. This ended the airline's historic “Proudly All Boeing” stance. The combined Alaska Air Group fleet currently totals 413 aircraft. The new orders are expected to grow the fleet to over 475 planes by 2030. This growth will continue to more than 550 aircraft by 2035. The 737 MAX 10s will primarily replace older 737 models. They will also support domestic and regional growth.
Certification Risk and Flexibility
A significant factor in the order is the status of the 737 MAX 10. This largest MAX variant is not yet certified for passenger service. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must still approve the aircraft. Certification has been delayed for years. The main issue involves a required fix for the engine anti-ice system. Boeing is confident the MAX 10 will be certified soon. However, the certification timeline is dictated by the FAA and safety concerns. Alaska Airlines has secured flexibility in its contract. This allows the carrier to switch to a different MAX model if regulatory delays continue. This flexibility mitigates a major risk for the airline's long-term fleet planning.
- Key Takeaways for Aviation Stakeholders:
- The order secures 110 firm aircraft (105 737 MAX 10s, five 787-10s) from Boeing.
- It directly supports the plan for at least 12 long-haul international routes from Seattle by 2030.
- The fleet will grow from 413 to over 550 aircraft by 2035.
- The 737 MAX 10 delivery timeline remains dependent on FAA certification.
This massive order signals a major shift in the carrier's focus. It moves from a strong domestic and regional player to a global airline. The new aircraft will feature a new global livery. The design is inspired by the aurora borealis. This new look will be seen on the 787s flying to Europe and Asia. For the latest commercial aviation news and industry analysis, visit https://flying.flights. The expansion positions the airline to compete directly in transcontinental markets. This will impact passenger options and airport operations at SEA.
Topics
You Might Also Like
Discover more aviation news based on similar topics
Alaska Airlines Secures 105 Boeing 737-10s and 787s for Global Fleet Expansion
Alaska Airlines placed its largest-ever order with Boeing for 105 737-10s and five 787 Dreamliners, fueling domestic growth and long-haul international expansion to Europe and Asia through 2035.
Alaska Airlines Bets Big on Boeing with 110-Jet Order, Fueling Global Ambitions
Alaska Airlines placed its largest aircraft order ever for 110 Boeing 737 MAX 10 and 787-10 jets, signaling confidence in the manufacturer and accelerating its international expansion plan.
Boeing Beats Airbus in 2025 Orders: Widebody Demand Secures First Win Since 2018
Boeing secured its first annual order win over Airbus since 2018, booking 812 aircraft orders in 2025, driven by surging widebody aircraft demand for the 787 Dreamliner.
Did Airbus Beat Boeing's 2025 Delivery Goal Despite A320 Supplier Issues?
Airbus delivered an estimated 793 aircraft in 2025, surpassing Boeing's estimated 590-595 deliveries, securing the top spot despite A320 family supply chain issues.
Can Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator make the Pacific Northwest a SAF leader?
Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA) launched with $20M in funding to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel production and position the Pacific Northwest as a global SAF hub.
Will Novoair Finally Secure Leased Airbus A320s for International Expansion?
Bangladeshi carrier Novoair is hopeful of securing leased aircraft, including the Airbus A320, this year to launch six new international routes despite a global shortage and CAAB age restrictions.