A deal continuing the optimization of its mainline fleet was reported by Alaska Airlines. Alaska would sell 10 Airbus A320s to Air Lease Company and eventually lease 13 new Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft. From Q4 2021 until 2022, the 13 737-9 MAX aircraft will be delivered.
Compared to the 32 Total Alaska already has on order with Boeing, the 13 leased aircraft are 5 of which are scheduled to operate by summer 2021. In March 2021, Alaska will begin operating the 737-9 MAX. Alaska will lease the A320s back from Air Lease for a short duration after the transaction concludes.
Read More
Alaska Airlines to start services by Embraer 175 at the state of Alaska
Alaska Airlines adding five destinations on 2021 following the phase-out of Airbus aircraft
Airlines Alaska 737 Max Fleet
Alaska Airlines will fly a fleet of 32 other MAX series jets that Alaska Airlines has on Boeing’s orders, including the Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes. Alaska Airlines is leaving with 39 of the Airbus variants in its fleet and another 10 Airbus A321 aircraft, after selling off 10 of its Airbus A320 aircraft.
In March 2021, Alaska Airlines intends to return the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to operate while pending its orders.
In March 2019, following an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash that killed 157 passengers, the Boeing 737 MAX series aircraft, two versions (Max 8 and Max 9), was grounded. Last October, a different Lion Air flight, still flying on a Boeing 737 Max plane, plunged into the Java Sea, killing 189.
Reports suggested at the time of the suspension that concern with a modern flight control automation device would guide the nose of the plane down, leaving pilots unable to recover control. However, last week, the FAA said that its personnel were capable of addressing” the concerns and would now supervise the next measures in certifying the aircraft’s airworthiness before its return to operation.
