Alaska Airlines Will Buy Six More Boeing Extended-range Aircraft

Feb. 20, 2015
The deal is valued at $594 million

Alaska Airlines, the fourth-largest airline serving the Hawaiian Islands, announced Wednesday that it will buy six more Boeing 737-900 extended-range aircraft over the next two years.

The deal is valued at $594 million, based on the current price of the aircraft. The Seattle-based airline intends to take delivery of four planes in 2016 and two in 2017.

The airline said the purchases are part of a transition from 737-400 aircraft to the more fuel-efficient 737-900ERs. It said the newer planes can transport 25 percent more passengers on the same amount of fuel.

It also announced that beginning later this year, all of its 737-900ERs will feature larger overhead cargo bins that will hold 48 percent more bags than the current bins.

Alaska Airlines flew 1,133,539 passengers to Hawaii in 2013, according to PBN research. Only Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Airlines flew more passengers to the Islands.