Why Did Alaska Airlines Order 110 Boeing Jets After MAX 9 Incident?

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 14, 2026 at 12:45 PM•3 min read

AIRLINES

Alaska Airlines placed its largest-ever order for 110 Boeing 737 MAX 10s and 787-10 Dreamliners, signaling a major international expansion despite the recent 737 MAX 9 safety incident.

Key Points

1Alaska Airlines placed its largest-ever order for 110 Boeing aircraft: 105 737 MAX 10s and five 787-10 Dreamliners.
2The order follows the January 2024 737 MAX 9 door plug incident, with CEO Ben Minicucci expressing renewed confidence in Boeing's commitment to quality.
3The airline is launching new international routes from Seattle, including London (May 21, 2026), Rome (April 28, 2026), and Reykjavik (May 28, 2026).
4The 787 Dreamliners will support the airline's goal of becoming America's fourth-largest global carrier.

Alaska Airlines has announced its largest-ever aircraft deal with Boeing. The substantial order includes 110 new jets. This fleet investment is a major step in the carrier's plan to grow its global presence. The deal comprises 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft. It also includes five of the larger 787-10 Dreamliners. This move secures critical delivery slots for the airline through 2035.

Strategic Fleet Investment

This historic purchase provides capacity for significant expansion. The 737 MAX 10s will primarily support domestic operations. They will also help replace older aircraft in the current fleet. The widebody Boeing 787-10s are key to the airline's long-haul strategy. Alaska Airlines plans to serve at least 12 long-haul international destinations from Seattle by 2030.

Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci expressed confidence in the manufacturer. He stated the airline's vision is to become America's fourth-largest global carrier. This growth strategy is part of the “Alaska Accelerate” plan. The CEO affirmed a shared commitment to quality and safety with Boeing.

Overcoming Safety Challenges

This major commitment to Boeing follows a challenging period. In January 2024, a door plug detached from an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9. This mid-air emergency led to a temporary grounding of the fleet. The incident also prompted an investigation into Boeing's manufacturing processes. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation focused on quality control. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) increased its oversight of Boeing. This new order signals a renewed partnership and trust in the aircraft maker.

Global Network Expansion

The new widebody jets are essential for the airline's international push. Alaska Airlines is significantly expanding its global network from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The carrier has already debuted its first branded widebody jet. This Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is already flying long-haul routes. These routes include service from Seattle to Tokyo.

Key new international routes include:

Seattle to London Heathrow (LHR): Daily, year-round service beginning May 21, 2026.
Seattle to Rome (FCO): Daily, summer seasonal service starting April 28, 2026.
Seattle to Reykjavik (KEF): Daily, summer seasonal service starting May 28, 2026.

These routes position Seattle as a key global gateway for the airline. The expansion follows the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in 2024. This merger gave Alaska Air Group access to the necessary widebody aircraft. The new aircraft and routes will increase competition in the transatlantic market. The airline's bold move is a major story in commercial aviation news [https://flying.flights].