Alaska Airlines Unveils First Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Committing to 110-Jet Order After 737 MAX 9 Crisis

Alaska Airlines has debuted its first-ever branded Boeing 787 Dreamliner widebody jet. The aircraft’s unveiling coincided with the announcement of the carrier’s largest-ever fleet commitment to Boeing. This significant move comes two years after the highly publicized 737 MAX 9 door plug incident that grounded Alaska’s entire MAX 9 fleet.

Largest Fleet Order Signals Confidence in Boeing

The Alaska Airlines Boeing order includes 105 737 MAX 10 narrowbody jets. It also adds five larger Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners to the carrier’s future fleet. This largest fleet order in the airline’s history is a major vote of confidence in the manufacturer. The total order for 110 new aircraft extends deliveries through 2035.

Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci addressed Boeing employees at the Seattle unveiling. He acknowledged the manufacturer’s hard work over the past two years. Minicucci stressed that Alaska Airlines will hold the bar high for quality and safety. The airline is now sending its own audit teams to oversee the production line.

Global Expansion and Widebody Jet Strategy

The debut of the new aircraft marks a pivotal moment for Alaska Airlines international expansion. The airline’s vision is to become America's fourth-largest global airline. This goal involves competing directly with the “big three” carriers: United, Delta, and American.

The first Alaska-branded widebody jet, a 787-9, has entered long-haul service. It is currently operating routes like Seattle to Tokyo. This aircraft features a new green-liveried design inspired by the Aurora Borealis. The cabin on this initial 787-9 is borrowed from Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airlines in 2024. The cabin includes a business class with fully lie-flat seats and privacy doors.

Alaska now operates five Dreamliners across its network. Four of these were previously part of the Hawaiian Airlines fleet.

New Transatlantic Routes Launching in 2026

To support this global push, Alaska is launching new transatlantic services from its Seattle hub:

• Seattle-London route: Daily, year-round service to London Heathrow (LHR) begins May 21. The route will be operated by the 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Round-trip fares start from $699.
• Seattle to Rome (FCO): Daily seasonal flights start April 28, 2026. Fares for this service begin at $599.
• Seattle to Reykjavik (KEF): Daily seasonal flights start May 28, 2026. This route will use the long-range 737-8 MAX aircraft.

The Shadow of the 737 MAX 9 Incident

This massive Alaska Airlines Boeing order comes exactly two years after the January 5, 2024, incident. A mid-cabin door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 at 14,800 feet. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation found serious failures. Specifically, the NTSB cited lapses in Boeing’s manufacturing oversight and quality-control processes. The door plug was not properly secured during production.

Alaska Airlines was forced to ground its entire 737 MAX 9 fleet for a period. The new fleet commitment is a clear signal that the airline believes Boeing can meet its safety and quality demands. This partnership is crucial for both companies' futures. The order supports Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 program, which is still awaiting certification from the FAA. For the latest commercial aviation news and analysis, visit flying.flights.