Alaska Airways orders extra Boeing 787s, to open Dreamliner base in Seattle
Alaska Airways is shifting forward with plans to develop long-haul flying from Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) with an order for 5 extra Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
The Seattle-based Oneworld alliance service has exercised buy rights for 5 further 787-9s from the Hawaiian Airways orderbook, mentioned Larry Payne, chair of the Hawaiian Airways Grasp Govt Council on the Air Line Pilots Affiliation (ALPA), on the Alaska Pilots Podcast on Wednesday. That brings Alaska’s complete agency commitments for the long-haul jet to 13 plane, plus 4 already within the fleet, primarily based on its final fleet plan on the finish of March.
As well as, Alaska plans to open a Hawaiian 787 pilot base in Seattle in March 2026, and exercised choices for 12 further Boeing 737 MAX 10s, Payne mentioned.
The extra you realize: The perfect time to guide flights for the most cost effective airfare
“I believe general that is the primary section in what we’re seeing with the corporate executing on their promise of progress because of the merger,” mentioned Will McQuillen, chair of the Alaska Airways Grasp Govt Council at ALPA, on the podcast with Payne.
An Alaska spokesperson was didn’t reply to a request for remark.
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The orders affirm what Alaska administration has indicated for the reason that airline closed its merger with Hawaiian in September 2024: that Hawaiian’s 787 fleet would finally join Seattle to the world. The airline launched its first long-haul flight from Seattle operated by Hawaiian — Alaska can not function Hawaiian’s planes itself till the airways merge operations on a single certificates — to Tokyo’s Narita Worldwide Airport (NRT) with an Airbus A330 in Might.
Flights from Seattle to Seoul’s Incheon Worldwide Airport (ICN) start Sept. 12, and to Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) — Alaska and Hawaiian’s first European vacation spot — in Might 2026. Hawaiian will function Seoul with an A330 and Rome with a 787, the latter doubling because the launch of Alaska’s all-new flagship worldwide expertise.
Alaska plans at the least 12 long-haul intercontinental routes from Seattle by the tip of the last decade, executives have mentioned.
Delta, Alaska’s largest competitor in Seattle, is just not sitting idly by. Shortly after Alaska unveiled its Italian plans, the SkyTeam Alliance service introduced its personal nonstop from the Emerald Metropolis to Rome starting Might 6, 2026, and to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) later that month.
Delta has the advantage of a big current long-haul base in Seattle with flights to each Asia and Europe, whereas Alaska is a beloved hometown model and bigger general within the Puget Sound area.
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