For the coming five weeks, all all divisions at Alaska Airlines are on their toes to follow strict readiness timelines like rigorous rounds of test flight, training of maintenance technicians on the new fleet to make the aircraft ready for passenger service
1 February 2021: Alaska Airlines recently took the delivery of their first Boeing 737-9 MAX planes as a part of the new phase of their modernization strategy. The first flight is scheduled to enter passenger service on 1st March 2021 to be soon followed by the second plane in late March. Alaska Airlines signed a restructured order agreement with Boeing in December 2020 to receive a total of 68 737-9 MAX aircraft in the next four years, with options for an additional 52 planes. These 68 aircraft will largely replace Alaska’s Airbus fleet and move the airline substantially toward a single, mainline fleet that’s more efficient, profitable and environmentally friendly.
Alaska Airlines President Ben Minicucci said, “We’ve eagerly waited for this day. It was a proud moment to board our newest 737 aircraft and fly it home. This plane is a significant part of our future. We believe in it, we believe in Boeing and we believe in our employees who will spend the next five weeks in training to ensure we’re ready to safely fly our guests.”
Before the commercial operations begins, all divisions at Alaska Airlines are on their toes to follow strict readiness timelines like rigorous rounds of test flight, training of maintenance technicians on the new fleet, verifying specific preparations etc which should take a little over a month.
John Ladner, an Alaska 737 captain and vice president of flight operations said, “Our pilots are the best trained in the industry. With the 737-9, we’re going above and beyond with our training program, even more than what the FAA is requesting. We have high confidence in this aircraft. It’s a tremendous addition to our fleet, and we’re ready to start flying it in March.”
The AMEs will receive about 40 hours of “differences training,” which distinguishes the variations between the new MAX and the airline’s existing 737 NG fleet. Certain technicians will receive up to 40 additional hours of specialized training focused on the plane’s engines and avionics systems.
The pilots will receive eight hours of MAX-specific, computer-based training prior to flying the aircraft over the course of two days, which includes at least two hours of training in Alaska’s own certified, state-of-the-art MAX flight simulator.
The new aircraft will be using SAF provided by EPIC fuels.
