Alaska Airlines will add more aircraft to expand its fleet as part of its growth strategy following the merger with Hawaiian Airlines.
According to a podcast by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents both airlines’ pilot groups, the airline has firmed up orders for five more Boeing 787 Dreamliners and exercised options for 12 737 MAX 10 aircraft.
The announcement was shared by pilot union leaders representing Alaska and Hawaiian pilots during the joint podcast. An airline spokesperson did not immediately respond to AirlineGeeks’ request for comment.
According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, Hawaiian – which initially placed the 787 order – has four Dreamliners in service. Five more are on order from Boeing, along with 10 additional options.
After finalizing their merger last year, the two carriers hope to combine under a single operating certificate by the end of 2025. Pilots at the airlines are also working towards a joint collective bargaining agreement.
Larry Payne, chair of the Hawaiian Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC), confirmed the details, noting, “There’s five additional 787 orders. They’re executing twelve 737 MAX 10 options that they’ve now converted to firm orders.”
Alaska plans to utilize the 787s to support long-haul flying, including newly announced service to Rome. From Seattle, the airline plans to add 12 international long-haul destinations by 2030.
MAX 10s
Currently, Alaska has 44 737 MAX 10 aircraft on order, Boeing’s largest 737 variant. The type has yet to receive certification from the FAA.
“I think overall, this is the first phase in what we’re seeing with the company executing on their promise of growth as a result of the merger,” Payne said. “And I think in the short term, what we’re gonna see with the company is there’ll be growth on the Hawaiian side of the house as they staff some of these upcoming 787 deliveries out of Seattle. And there’ll be growth on the Alaska side too with the 12 737 orders.”
Specific delivery timelines for the newly ordered aircraft were not disclosed, and the company has not yet detailed how these aircraft will be deployed across the combined network. Union leaders indicated that pilot hiring is expected to increase as the airline takes delivery of the new jets.
