Alaska Airlines retires last MD-80

Airline Industry Information, August 29, 2008

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Alaska Airlines announced on 28 August that the last MD-80 series aircraft in its fleet has now been retired.

The airline has transitioned to an all-Boeing fleet and now operates a total of 108 Boeing 737 aircraft. When the company began the transition in 2006 it operated 26 MD-80s in a fleet of 110 aircraft. The last remaining MD-80 flew for the last time in a symbolic flight around Washington State's Mount Rainer and was joined by a Boeing 737 in special livery. The 737 concerned was recently delivered to Alaska Airlines and has been named 'Spirit of Seattle', a reference to the ties between the airline and Boeing.

Alaska Airlines said that the two primary reasons for transitioning to the 737 were the cost benefits of maintaining a common fleet type and the greater fuel efficiency of the 737, which uses 850 gallons/hour against the 1,100 gallons/hour of the older MD-80. The airline's 737s are equipped with modern safety and navigation systems, including precision approach technology and an enhanced ground proximity warning system.

Alaska Airlines has agreed to purchase a further eight Boeing 737-800s this year.

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