In a significant milestone for avgeeks and industry followers alike, Alaska Airlines marked the end of an era as it operated its final revenue flight with an Airbus aircraft.
The curtain closed on 30 September 2003 with AS1126, operated by an A321neo, took to the skies from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
This symbolic flight was preceded by the final transcontinental Airbus service on Saturday morning, 30 September, with flight AS289 departing from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) bound for Los Angeles (LAX).
Alaska Became an Airbus Operator Following its 2016 Acquisition of Virgin America
Seattle-based Alaska Airlines has historically been exclusive to Boeing aircraft, taking great pride in supporting the hometown aerospace giant. In fact, a number of Alaska’s planes feature a decal on the fuselage proudly declaring, “Proudly All Boeing.”
While that was blatantly untrue in recent years, the carrier will transition to an exclusive Boeing 737 operator with the retirement of its Airbus aircraft this weekend.
This shift comes after Alaska’s acquisition of Virgin America in 2016, a $4 billion deal that included the addition of 61 Airbus aircraft. Virgin America, which had operated an all-Airbus fleet since its launch in 2007, became a part of Alaska Airlines’ legacy, and the brand was retired in 2018.
Alaska operated ten A319s, 53 A320-200s, and ten A321neos. All will retire by the end of September, ending an era that lasted since the Virgin America acquisition. Five A321s have already been retired, along with the A320s earlier this year and the A319s in early 2020.
What Will Happen to Alaska’s Airbuses
The fate of Alaska’s Airbus aircraft is diverse, as reported by planespotters.net:
- A319-100: Five in storage, four scrapped or partially scrapped, one acquired by Braathens Regional Airways as SE-RGC.
- A320-200: 13 transferred to Allegiant, five to GlobalX, two to Volotea (Portugal), 28 in storage, and five with unclear status.
- A321neo: Five in storage, five just finished flying for Alaska. Their next stop has not yet been determined.
While the A321neos are relatively young – just over five years old – speculation is rife about their future. There are rumors that they may find a new home with American Airlines, although neither carrier has confirmed either way.
Alaska Has Strayed from Boeing Before
Long before the Virgin America Airbuses joined the Alaska fleet, the carrier operated quite a few McDonnell Douglas MD-82s and MD-83s.
The first to appear in Alaska colors was an MD-82, which took to the skies for the first time in 1985. Later that same year, Alaska became the launch customer of the longer-range MD-83. Through acquisitions and purchases, Alaska once operated 48 MD-series aircraft, including 14 MD-82s and 34 MD-83s. The carrier phased out the Mad Dogs by 2008, when it became an all-Boeing airline again.
Alaska’s wholly-owned regional subsidiary, Horizon Air, continues its operations with an exclusive fleet of Embraer E-175 jets. The last of its De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400 aircraft was retired in January 2023.
Alaska Doubles Down on the MAX
Looking ahead, Alaska Airlines has reaffirmed its commitment to the Boeing 737, with orders for 10 737-8 and 31 more 737-9 aircraft. In 2022, Alaska exercised options to acquire 52 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft by 2027 and secured rights for an additional 105 through 2030.
This strategic move puts Alaska on track to operate more than 250 aircraft from the 737 MAX series by 2030, cementing its position as a leading operator of the MAX series of aircraft.
As the sun sets on the Airbus era for Alaska Airlines, aviation enthusiasts eagerly await the next chapter in the airline’s storied history, with the mainline fleet now exclusively powered by the iconic Boeing 737.
