Featured image: Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Places Largest Fleet Order in Its History

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines (AS) has placed the biggest fleet order in its history, signing for 105 Boeing 737-10s and five additional 787s, plus options for 35 more 737-10s, in a deal that extends new-aircraft deliveries through 2035 and underpins the carrier’s push to become the United States’ fourth-largest global airline.

The agreement brings Alaska’s total Boeing orderbook to 245 aircraft, on top of the 94 737 MAXs already in service. The 737-10s will be used both for growth and as replacements for older 737s, helping keep Alaska’s mainline fleet among the youngest and most fuel-efficient in North America. Although the order is written as 737-10s, the airline retains flexibility to swap to other MAX variants if needed.

On the widebody side, Alaska has now exercised all of its 787 options, taking its future firm fleet to 17 Dreamliners, with five already operating long-haul routes. The five new aircraft are intended to arrive as the larger 787-10, supporting the airline’s “Alaska Accelerate” plan to serve at least 12 long-haul international destinations from Seattle by 2030.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 787 Unveiled

As part of the announcement, AS unveiled its new global livery on a 787-9 at Seattle, inspired by the aurora borealis with deep blues and greens sweeping across the fuselage. The refreshed look will identify the airline’s growing intercontinental network, while the familiar Alaska Native face remains on narrowbody tails within North America and the Hawaiian Airlines brand continues on its Airbus and 717 fleet in and around the islands.

With a current fleet of 413 aircraft, Alaska Air Group expects to operate more than 475 aircraft by 2030 and over 550 by 2035, as the new MAX and 787 deliveries arrive. The long-haul push from Seattle is already taking shape:

  • London Heathrow (LHR) – daily, year-round from 21 May 2026
  • Rome Fiumicino (FCO) – daily, summer seasonal from 28 April 2026
  • Reykjavik (KEF) – daily, summer seasonal from 28 May 2026 on a 737-8 MAX
  • Tokyo Narita (NRT) – daily, year-round (in service)
  • Seoul Incheon (ICN) – five-weekly, year-round (in service)

Framed as a “building block” in Alaska’s global strategy, the record order is designed to lock in scarce delivery slots, support sustained international growth from Seattle, and give passengers a largely next-generation Boeing fleet on routes spanning North America, Europe and Asia.