Alaska Airlines orders five additional Boeing 737-900ERs

Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) and Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today the carrier is exercising options to purchase five Boeing 737-900ER (extended range) aircraft. The five new aircraft are worth $481 million at Boeing’s current list price. Two of the aircraft will arrive in 2015 followed by two more in 2016 and one in 2017.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER N402AS. Image courtesy Alaska Airlines.

Mark Eliasen, Alaska Air Group’s vice president of finance and treasurer said

“Today’s announcement supports our goal of growing Alaska Airlines by 4 to 8 percent a year,” “The 737-900ER is a great aircraft, with the cost efficiency and reliability needed for us to be successful in today’s competitive marketplace.”

This order supplements the 31 aircraft on firm order for delivery by the end of 2017. Alaska Airlines now has unfilled orders for 35 737-900ERs and 37 737 MAX airplanes. Alaska Airlines expects to have 134 Boeing 737s in its fleet by the end of 2014.

Brad McMullen, vice president of North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said

“The order of five additional 737-900ERs is an affirmation of our hometown partner’s successful strategy of offering customers good value, delivering a great onboard experience and running an on-time airline,” “The 737-900ER offers Alaska Airlines the best seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane in production, which is especially important with today’s high fuel prices. The interior also complements Alaska’s excellent customer service, providing the passengers with a wonderful flying experience.”

The largest and newest model in the Next-Generation (NG) 737 family (737-700, -800, -900ER), the 737-900ER (Extended Range) can carry up to 26 more passengers or fly about 500 nautical miles (926 km) farther than the older 737-900. Alaska Airlines operates the 737-900ER in a two-class configuration with 181 seats and features the Boeing Sky Interior.

The Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers that introduces new lighting and a curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers enjoy a more open cabin feel and an environment simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The interior also features sculpted sidewalls and newly improved and expanded pivot bins. In addition, all of Alaska’s seats will feature outlets providing dual 110-volt and USB power.