Whereas Alaska Airways is modernizing its fleet by taking supply of latest Boeing 737 MAXs, the airline can also be updating the cabins of some current plane, which passengers will little question recognize.
Alaska Boeing 737-800s get extra first-class seats
Alaska Airways presently operates a fleet of 59 Boeing 737-800s, that are a median of almost 16 years previous. It seems like these planes have fairly a little bit of life left in them, because the airline can be investing $130 million to replace the interiors of those plane within the coming years.
This undertaking is anticipated to start out in late 2024 and be accomplished by 2026. So, what precisely is altering?
- Presently these planes have 159 seats, together with 12 first-class seats, 30 additional legroom economic system seats, and 117 normal economic system seats
- As soon as reconfigured, these planes can have 161 seats, together with 16 first-class seats, 24 additional legroom economic system seats, and 121 normal economic system seats
- Alaska can be putting in the identical sorts of seats it has on its Boeing 737 MAX 9s, so you may count on first-class to have 40″ of pitch with a footrest and seat again gadget holder, whereas additional legroom economic system will function 35″ of pitch
Extra first-class seats are at all times nice information when it comes to upgrades, although as you may inform, the additional legroom economic system part can be getting a bit smaller.
Alaska’s 737-800s presently have fairly drained interiors. Again in 2022, Alaska had supposed to replace the interiors of those jets — a couple of planes did find yourself getting reconfigured, but it surely was a minor beauty replace. The airline ended up pausing that undertaking, presumably as a result of the airline selected a brand new plan, which is what’s taking place now.
Alaska’s quirky Boeing 737 MAX 8 interiors
That is the place it will get bizarre. As I wrote about earlier, Alaska has simply taken supply of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8. The 737 MAX 8 has an an identical cabin dimension to the 737-800, because it’s merely the up to date model of the jet, with higher gas effectivity and vary.
Alaska will take supply of a complete of 5 737 MAX 8s between now and March 2024. These planes function an interim inside with 159 seats, with the identical format as on the 737-800. Nevertheless, beginning within the second half of the yr, newly delivered 737 MAX 8s will function the brand new interiors with 161 seats. Finally the 5 preliminary 737 MAX 8s can be reconfigured with these up to date interiors.
That certain is an odd method to go about issues, although I think this comes down to produce chain points, or one thing, as that appears to be a problem plaguing your complete trade.
Backside line
Alaska Airways can be updating the cabins on all of its Boeing 737-800s between late 2024 and 2026. 737-800s will get a internet improve of two seats, with 4 additional first-class seats, six fewer additional legroom economic system seats, and 4 additional economic system seats. You’ll be able to count on cabins just like what you’ll discover on current 737 MAX 9s, so this could characterize a pleasant enchancment to the passenger expertise.
What do you make of Alaska updating its 737-800 cabins?
