During a meeting held today, March 24, Alaska Air Group outlined its long-term growth strategy, the carrier revealed it will simplify its fleet keeping Boeing and Embraer aircraft by 2023, retiring its DHC Q-400 and Airbus A320 Family. It revealed that it would simplify its fleet to just Boeing and Embraer aircraft by 2023, retiring its DHC Q-400s and Airbus A320 Family.
Alaska plans to grow an average of 4-8% per year through 2025, in part by investing in expanding its network and generating $400 million in incremental revenue as part of its strategic plan.
The airline plans to accelerate the transition of its fleet to Boeing 737 NG and MAX and Embraer 175 aircraft in conjunction with its subsidiary, Horizon Air, by retiring the Bombardier Dash Q-400, Airbus A320ceo and Airbus A321neo by 2023.
The Q-400s are operated by Horizon Air and the A321neo entered its fleet following the merger with Virgin America in 2016. Despite last year ten Airbus A319s were already retired, both models were not scheduled to be withdrawn, so the announcement turned out to be a major revelation. The Airbus A320s, also inherited from Virgin America, were previously confirmed for retirement in late 2023 and early 2024.
«As the fleet grows to 400 aircraft by mid-decade, this will manifest itself through operational simplicity, flexibility and scalability, improved fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance costs,» Alaska Airlines commented in a statement.
Alaska’s Current Fleet
According to information obtained by Aviacionline through Ch-Aviation’s aeronautical information database, Alaska Air Group’s fleet currently consists of the following aircraft:
- 35 Airbus A320s.
- 30 Embraer 175 operated by Horizon Air and Sky West Airlines.
- 32 DHC 8-400 operated by Horizon Air.
- ten Airbus A321.
- eleven Boeing 737-700.
- 61 Boeing 737-800.
- twelve Boeing 737-900.
- 79 Boeing 737-900ER.
- fourteen Boeing 737-9.
«Consistent with Alaska’s high productivity low-cost mindset, these transitions are expected to generate significant economic benefits,» the company added.
Alaska Airlines is set to take delivery of 19 Embraer, fifteen Boeing 737-8s, 56 Boeing 737-9s and 60 Boeing 737-10s.
They recently modified their MAX order by adding the 737-10 and 737-8 to the 737-9 orders, which will be delivered between 2022 and 2026. The addition of the larger variant (and the smaller, longer-range -8) is a major shift in the company’s strategy. In 2021, its subsidiary, Horizon Air, and Sky West Airlines, a partner airline, agreed on an order for 17 E 175s to be received starting this year.
Alaska Air Cargo
To accommodate growing cargo demand, Alaska Air Cargo will also convert two Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft to freighter (BCF), joining its three Boeing 737-700s (BDSF).
Alaska debuted the converted 737-700s in 2017, operating within Alaska to its main bases in Anchorage (ANC) and Seattle (SEA) carrying fresh seafood and U.S. mail.
