Alaska Airlines Takes Delivery of New Boeing 737-800 With Winglets – First of Three New Aircraft in ’05

Alaska Airlines’ newest airplane — a 737-800 — rolled out of the hangar at Boeing Field today ready to stretch its wings on the airline’s growing transcontinental routes.

The 737-800 is among Boeing’s "Next Generation" aircraft, employing the latest in flight deck technology, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. Additionally, Alaska equipped the plane with performance-enhancing winglets, which cut down on fuel consumption, extend the aircraft’s range and reduce noise during takeoff and landing.

"The 737-800 gives us the optimum blend of range and fuel economy," said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska’s executive vice president of marketing and planning. "It’s also well-suited for our long-haul flights because of its larger seating capacity and comfortable cabin."

Saretsky noted that winglets will reduce the aircraft’s fuel consumption by 3 to 4 percent, saving the company about 110,000 gallons of fuel a year per aircraft.

"Boeing is pleased to contribute to the success of our hometown partner, Alaska Airlines," said Carolyn Corvi, 737/757 vice president and general manager, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 737-800 complements Alaska’s existing fleet of 737-700s and 737-900s, and has the same great passenger appeal of the other models. The strength of the 737 airplane family is the fact that it is one airplane in four sizes. This gives Alaska the flexibility to match capacity with customer demand on individual routes."

The aircraft has 160 seats, including 16 in first class. It is outfitted with all-leather seats, larger overhead bins and four center-aisle, pull-down stowage units. The third 737-800 to be delivered to Alaska Airlines, and all subsequent deliveries, also will have new generation "Spectrum" seats complete with adjustable headrests, improved lumbar support and engineering that provides more passenger room.

To celebrate, today’s maiden flight featured an on-board wedding of two Alaska Airlines employees. The newlyweds — and the new airplane — were feted by employee well-wishers at the airline’s hangar at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport following the delivery flight.

Deliveries of two additional 737-800s are scheduled for later this year. Alaska’s last new aircraft delivery was in February 2004, when it added the last in an order of 12 new Boeing 737-900s to its fleet.

Alaska’s fleet currently includes 108 aircraft — 40 737-400s, 26 MD-80s, 22 737-700s, 12 737-900s and eight 737-200Cs. The new 737-800, which will go into service Feb. 6, brings that total to 109.

Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve more than 80 cities in Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For reservations visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com/ .

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines