Alaska Airlines has placed its largest aircraft order ever, committing to more than 100 new jets from Boeing as it secures production slots to support long-term growth through the middle of the next decade.
The order includes 105 Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft, a model that is still awaiting certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition, Alaska is purchasing five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners by exercising previously agreed options, strengthening its international expansion plans with new nonstop routes to destinations including Italy and South Korea.
Deliveries expected from 2027
Shane Jones, who oversees fleet planning at Alaska Airlines, said the carrier expects FAA certification of the 737 Max 10 later this year, with deliveries beginning in 2027. Alaska currently operates 413 aircraft and plans to grow its fleet to 475 planes by 2030 and 550 by 2035, combining this order with prior commitments.
The deal also includes options for 35 additional Max 10 jets. Of the 105 aircraft announced, 53 are newly ordered planes, while 52 come from options the airline has chosen to exercise.
Confidence in Boeing’s turnaround
Boeing currently has more than 6,000 aircraft on backorder, making delivery slots increasingly scarce. Alaska’s decision is viewed as a vote of confidence in the manufacturer, which has been working to restore trust after a series of safety and production challenges.
In January 2024, a Boeing 737 Max 9 delivered to Alaska Airlines suffered a mid-air door plug blowout shortly after departure from Portland, Oregon. While no serious injuries were reported, the incident prompted a temporary grounding of the Max 9 fleet and renewed scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing processes.
Since then, Boeing has reported improvements in quality control and production stability under its current leadership. Any increase in Max production rates remains subject to FAA approval, a requirement imposed after the 2024 incident.
Strategic role of the Max 10
Jones said the order reflects Alaska’s confidence in both the certification timeline of the Max 10 and Boeing’s ability to deliver aircraft on schedule. While the Max 10 has a shorter range than some competing models, it can carry more passengers than smaller variants, improving unit economics on high-demand routes and helping airlines maximize capacity at congested airports.
About half of the aircraft in the new order will replace older jets, while the rest will support network expansion. Alaska declined to disclose the purchase price, noting that large orders typically involve significant discounts from published list prices.
