FLEET - Alaska Airlines receives 100th 737 MAX

 Alaska Airlines employees participated in the delivery of the airline’s 100th 737 MAX in Seattle, Washington. (photo © Boeing)

Alaska Airlines recently took delivery of its 100th 737 MAX, a milestone that reflects the carrier’s confidence in Boeing airplanes.

Why it matters: The delivery comes as Alaska continues to grow and renew its fleet with new 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets, supporting the airline’s plans to expand both domestic and international service.

The milestone also reflects the strength of Alaska’s decadeslong partnership with Boeing, rooted in a shared emphasis on safety and quality.

“We appreciate the fact that your values are the same as ours – leading with safety and quality,” said Shane Jones, Alaska Airlines senior vice president of fleet, products and guest experience. “The Boeing people are the difference makers.”

Partnership in action: Today, Alaska Air Group, which includes Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air, operates nearly 250 737s and five 787s. For many Boeing teammates, that means building airplanes they and their families later fly on.

“I take a lot of pride in working on airplanes, but especially Alaska Airlines’ airplanes,” said Nathan Gonzalez, a temporary Preflight Operations manager on the 737 program. “My wife and I fly Alaska at least once a year going home for the holidays, so it’s special knowing I’ve been involved in producing the planes we actually fly on."

“We couldn’t be prouder of this partnership,” Jones said. “We both go above and beyond to really help each other when the other side needs it.
The big picture: In January, Alaska signed the largest airplane order in its history – 105 737-10s, with options for 35 more, plus five 787s.

That announcement kicked off a series of milestones between Alaska and Boeing, including unveiling a new livery for the airline’s 787 fleet, and CEO Ben Minicucci visiting Boeing’s Renton, Washington, factory.

“I have so much more confidence coming out of today in what you’ve done in the last three years,” Minicucci told 737 teammates during his visit. “I’m so impressed with all the quality improvements that have been put in place. I could see the hard work.”
By the numbers:

Alaska took delivery of its first 737 MAX in 2021 and has grown its fleet to 100 737 MAX jets in just five years.
The airline has nearly 180 Boeing airplanes – both 737s and 787s – being delivered over the next decade.
Alaska’s partnership with Boeing began in 1966, with the delivery of a 727-100 airplane.
By Erica Peterson