Alaska Airlines Buys Boeing Aircraft

Alaska Airlines has published its second-quarter results ending June 30, 2025, and took the time to confirm additional purchases of Boeing planes.

With Hawaiian Airlines now part of the Alaska Airlines Group, the latter has increased importance on a global scale and has access to a larger fleet of planes.

Those additional aircraft are not just more of the same for Alaska Airlines; the takeover has given it access to widebody jets for the first time, with the Boeing 787 part of the Honolulu-based airline’s fleet composition.

Under Alaska Accelerate, Seattle will become a gateway for worldwide connectivity, and the utilisation of types such as the Boeing 787 for the long term will be crucial to achieving long-term objectives, which include a presence in Europe and beyond.

During the recent quarter, Alaska Airlines confirmed that a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner base would be established in Seattle. This is accompanied by a commitment for five additional 787-9s to support international growth.

In addition to growing its commitment to the 787, Alaska Airlines also announced plans to exercise options for more Boeing 737 MAX jets, including twelve high-capacity and uncertified 737-10s, with deliveries expected through 2028.

Other Alaska Airlines Updates

Alaska Airlines also took the second quarterly results as an opportunity to provide updates on other areas of the business, which included the previously confirmed agreement to sell twelve 737-900s; four aircraft were sold in that quarter, with the remaining eight scheduled for sale in the second half of this year.

Additionally, the airline initiated a cabin refresh process across its 737 fleet in an effort to expand its overall Premium and First Class seating. This not only increases customers’ travel experience but also raises revenue across each flight.

These cabin refurbishments, undertaken by the company, are expected to be completed by 2026, ensuring no delays in the process or in acquiring key parts from established supply chains.

Expansion was also at the forefront, with the airline beginning a daily nonstop flight between Seattle and Tokyo, marking the first long-haul international destination from Seattle for the Group.

Additionally, it was confirmed that nonstop flights would commence between Seattle and Rome in May 2026. This is the first transatlantic flight for the Group, showcasing what’s to come and leveraging Seattle as a global base for the 787 moving forward.

The combined fleet also saw increases with the addition of twelve new planes, including many Boeing 737 MAX jets, a 787, some Embraer planes, and even freighters to help elevate cargo operations.