Alaska Airlines is making a long-term bet on growth and fleet renewal, announcing the largest aircraft order in the carrier’s history: 105 Boeing 737-10 aircraft and five Boeing 787 widebody jets, with rights to acquire 35 additional 737-10s. The order extends Alaska’s delivery stream through 2035 and lifts the airline’s total Boeing order book to 245 aircraft.
As a travel advisor with Ironmill Travel, I pay close attention to moves like this because aircraft orders are more than headline numbers. They are a signal about where an airline intends to compete — and what travelers can expect in availability, schedules and onboard experience over the next decade.
The key details
Alaska 737-10 and 787-10
Alaska says the order is a mix of aircraft for growth and for replacing older 737s, aimed at keeping the fleet among the youngest and most fuel-efficient in its category.
On the widebody side, the additional 787s support the airline’s “Alaska Accelerate” strategy and its stated goal to serve at least 12 long-haul international destinations from Seattle by 2030. Alaska also said the order brings its firm future 787 fleet to 17, with five already in operation.
One important caveat for aviation watchers: the 737-10 is not yet certified, and coverage of the announcement noted Alaska expects certification and first deliveries later in the decade.
Seattle is the center of the story
Alaska is positioning Seattle as a growing international gateway. The airline says tickets are already on sale for these Seattle routes:
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London Heathrow: daily, year-round starting May 21, 2026
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Rome: daily, summer seasonal starting April 28, 2026
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Reykjavik: daily, summer seasonal starting May 28, 2026 (operated on a 737-8 MAX)
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Tokyo Narita: daily, year-round (already in service)
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Seoul Incheon: five-times-weekly, year-round (already in service)
What this could mean for travelers
Aircraft orders do not translate into immediate changes, but they can shape the travel landscape in predictable ways:
1) More potential seats and schedule choices over time.
A larger, newer fleet generally enables more frequencies and route flexibility — especially when airlines are building a hub strategy around a gateway city.
2) A more consistent onboard experience.
New aircraft often come with updated cabins and improved fuel efficiency. While onboard products vary by configuration, fleet modernization typically reduces the odds of equipment swaps that change the experience trip to trip.
3) Better planning opportunities — if you watch timing.
Because deliveries stretch out through 2035, the “near-term” impact is more about route strategy and schedule planning than brand-new planes showing up overnight.
Practical booking guidance for 2026 Europe travel
If you are considering Seattle as a launch point for Europe in 2026:
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Book early for peak-season dates (especially summer and school-break travel).
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Choose fares that match your risk tolerance (refundability and change terms matter).
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Keep an eye on schedule updates as airlines finalize operational details closer to launch.
Alaska also introduced a new “global” livery on its 787, a brand move that underscores how seriously the carrier is treating long-haul flying from the Pacific Northwest.