Alaska To Swap Two 737-900 Orders for a Pair of 737-800s with Winglets

Alaska Airlines will exchange two 737-900 aircraft it has on order with Boeing for two 737-800s. The planes are due for delivery in February and July of 2005.

Alaska sought the exchange as its requirements have evolved. Initially, the -800 aircraft will be used primarily in Alaska’s growing transcontinental markets, with its fleet of larger -900s focused on the carrier’s most heavily traveled markets up and down the West Coast.

"The 737-800 offers a nice blend of range and seating capacity, making it a good complement to our other Next-Generation aircraft," said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska’s executive vice president of marketing and planning. "It’s perfectly suited for long-haul flights because of its range, payload and low unit costs."

The 737-800s will be configured with 150 to 160 seats, 16 of them in the first class cabin. The exact number will be determined after an analysis of various seat designs and configuration options.

Alaska’s 737-700s seat 120, its 737-400s seat 138 and its 737-900s seat 172.

Alaska plans to outfit the 737-800s with winglets that reduce fuel burn and extend range. Additional enhancements will include larger bins and four center-aisle pull-down stowage units.

Alaska and The Boeing Co. recently signed a letter agreement to make the switch. The move will reduce Alaska’s capital costs.

Alaska’s fleet currently consists of 108 aircraft — 40 737-400s, 26 MD-80s, 22 737-700s, 12 737-900s and eight 737-200Cs.

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines