Alaska Airlines operated its final Airbus A321 flight this evening, and thus, its last flight with an Airbus-produced plane.
Operating as AS1126 from Seattle to Los Angeles, the aircraft departed at 1850 local time before touching down in Los Angeles just over 2 hours later.
Hundreds tracked the A321-253N registered as N921VA on Flightradar24 – https://www.flightradar24.com/ASA1126/32409826
Alaska Airlines retiring its Airbus fleet has been a long time in the making. Some would say it was always going to happen.
Known as an all-Boeing operator, when Alaska acquired Virgin America, which operated an all-Airbus fleet, the two collided. As a result, Alaska received these jets.
However, during the height of the pandemic, the airline announced its intent to retire all Airbus aircraft. It was noted that by 2023, all of these Airbus jets would be removed.
A decision made by critical executives was part of a simplification process at the airline that would see them move towards once more Boeing-powered aircraft.
Retirement was going to be a hefty process. While aided already by the pandemic, the carrier had well over 50 aircraft produced by Airbus available.
These Airbus aircraft, especially the neos, are relatively young and will have no trouble finding another home.
However, lovers of the type will be disappointed to see Alaska moving back to Boeing jets again. However, the airline believes it has more benefits than continuing with two plane makers.
Daniel Fowkes
01 Oct 2023
· Aircraft
· Airlines
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It was really nice to see Alaska Airlines a320/21 series aircraft dressed up in Alaskan attire. It was a pleasure to fly aboard and everyone loved the aircraft, except, the Alaska bean counters in corporate. Too bad. The addition of these aircraft was nice while it lasted.
Author
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I spent hours sitting in them while maintenance crews searched for parts. Left Seattle late 3 times because if this. Never waited on an ailing 737 or Embraer 175. Good riddance. No oven, no hot meals in first when I was 75K Gold. No tears from me.
Author
Sorry to hear about those experiences mate!
That’s just too bad. The 320 is such a superior product over the 737 series, both from the passenger point of view as from the crew’s. Same with the A350 being superior to the 787. Too bad because Boeing used to dominate the industry but somewhere along the way definitely lost its Mojo… I always will prioritize a flight on an an Airbus product over a Boeing… Flying on a 737,even a MAX, feels so vintage, yuck.
Your exactly right , the 737 dates from the 60’s and was rolled out only weeks after the 747, called the baby Boeing, due to it being the same size as a modern E175, only it’s 3 abreast seating , meant that a 737-200/300/500 and the still unapproved max 7, are all E175 sized but good the same number of people as an E190, I’d sooner fly Embraer than a 737 , the problem with the 737 is it was itself a 727 cockpit and body , shortened , to make the 737, where the airbus which the A320 is now getting old as well (hence the A220’s taking A320 sales ) but the 737bwas originally designed for airports with minimal facilities, it even had its own airstairs built in, could land on gravel unpaved runway’s .
Boeing had a good product ,, but when they built the 400 I’d immediately had problems and like every new itteration , due to sloppy design work , caused crashes due to flaws , and the fact they were stretching every time a design that wasn’t meant to be much bigger .
The 800 was maybe the best , but that’s old now too. The max was a step too far, and looks old , they screwed up badly by altering the centre of gravity by adding such huge engines , they had to move them and use bigger wings , and other control surfaces , tail etc , it made it so unstable it has to use software , to keep it in level flight , and as we know faulty software caused two hugely fatal crashes , the number of 737’s that have killed all on board due to design changes of the 737, makes it a terrible aircraft .
I’d hate to fly in one , they still didn’t stop and made the 900 series and for Ryanair , added more weight by cramming in tiny thin seats to take 200+ people for something designed for only 90-110 max.
Boeing should have built a different aircraft altogether, you look at a max with its dated nose and shape , they had to also have larger landing gear , and so many changes just to add bigger engines , in a bid to cut fuel consumption.
It’s not an aircraft I’d choose to fly .
They’ve had ample chance to build a clean sheet design.
Airbus for example are admitting that they may not continue the A320 as that dates back to first test flight in 1984 and launch in 88, sadly that crashed due to pilot error and software issues.
But it’s a superior aircraft to a 737.
The future is stuff like the A220, the Embraer E2 fleet’s , that can easily fly longer distances and be able to land at small airports as easily as large hubs .
So I totally agree with your post
Good riddance, all of you folks with an opinion but no knowledge or proof of your claims. I suppose you just like hearing yourself, that’s why you provide all the needless commentary.