Tag Archives: 737-900

United plans to operate Newark-Santiago, Dominican Republic flights this summer

United Airlines (Chicago) today announced plans to operate flights between its Newark Liberty International Airport hub and Santiago in the Dominican Republicin the summer of 2014. The flights are subject to government approval.

United plans to introduce daily service, utilizing Boeing 737-900 aircraft, leaving Newark Liberty at 9:00 a.m. (0900) and arriving in Santiago at 12:55 p.m. (1255). The return flight will depart Santiago at 1:50 p.m. (1350), arriving at Newark Liberty at 5:55 p.m. (1755) The service will open for sale once regulatory approval is granted. The new service will be timed to provide roundtrip connectivity with Washington, D.C., and Chicago (O’Hare).

In the Dominican Republic, United offers flights from Newark to Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata and on a seasonal basis from Chicago (O’Hare) and Washington (Dulles), to Punta Cana. Details of the new flight will be announced once the service is approved.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-924 N79402 (msn 30119) climbs away quickly from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

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United Airlines is dropping the Cleveland hub

United Airlines (Chicago) is reported to be on the verge of de-hubbing its struggling Cleveland Hopkins International Airport hub according to this report by WKYC. According to the report, a majority of the current routes routes will be dropped. CEO Jeff Smisek is quoted as saying the CLE hub is losing money and the losses cannot be sustained. A press conference is scheduled for tomorrow by Mayor Frank G. Jackson.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-924 N71411 (msn 30128) climbs away from the runway at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

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United’s Current Domestic Route Map (CLE has always been in the shadow of the large Chicago O’Hare hub):

United Airlines renews its Eco-Skies program with a new Boeing 737-900 ER logo jet

United Airlines (Chicago) is renewing its pledge to reduce its environmental impact through its Eco-Skies program. The airline has put into service this month a new Boeing 737-924 ER (N75432, msn 32835) with special “Eco-Skies” markings.

In 2013, United Airlines honored Earth Month by announcing its new goal to save 85 million gallons of fuel in 2013, equivalent to 828,750 metric tons of CO2 or roughly $275 million dollars at current fuel prices. Fuel is the airline’s single largest expense and its primary focus environmentally, and the company has several initiatives in place that will allow it to achieve its fuel efficiency goal.

“We are committed to reducing our fuel consumption and our environmental footprint,” said United’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Smisek. “I am proud of the actions we take every day throughout the year that help shape a more sustainable future for our customers, our co-workers and the communities we serve.”

United has already improved its fuel efficiency by 32 percent since 1994 through programs such as improved flight planning, single engine taxiing, lighter products onboard, and use of ground power instead of the onboard auxiliary power unit to save fuel and reduce carbon emissions while aircraft are parked.

The airline is also investing in a modern, fuel-efficient fleet to replace less fuel-efficient aircraft. In 2012, United ordered 150 brand-new Boeing 737 narrowbody aircraft powered by fuel-efficient CFM engines. In addition to purchasing new aircraft, United is also improving the performance of its current fleet. The airline was the launch customer for the new Split Scimitar winglet, which is an advanced and improved winglet for the 737 Next-Gen aircraft and helps the aircraft consume up to 25 percent less fuel per seat than the 737-500 aircraft the company is retiring. United already has other winglets installed on more than 300 of its aircraft, including its entire Boeing 737 fleet and many of its 757 and 767 aircraft. Winglets reduce drag on the aircraft, ultimately reducing fuel burn and carbon emissions by up to five percent.

United’s fuel savings initiatives are part of the company’s larger commitment to environmental sustainability under its Eco-Skies program.

Eco-Skies

United has a genuine commitment to responsible actions that reduce its impact on the environment through its Eco-Skies program. Eco-Skies is designed to make a positive impact on the environment – in the air, on the ground, at United’s facilities, with its business partners and across communities the airline serves.

Highlights of United’s Eco-Skies program include:

United operated the first U.S. passenger biofuel flight powered with a mixture of renewable algae-derived jet fuel and conventional jet fuel, and signed letters of intent to negotiate the purchase of more than 50 million gallons of sustainable biofuels.
United launched the Eco-Grants initiative which provides $50,000 cash grants to 10 local environmental organizations that the airline’s employees volunteer with in their communities, with volunteer projects starting this month and taking place throughout the country.
United spearheaded the Midwest Aviation Sustainable Biofuels Initiative (MASBI), in partnership with Boeing, Honeywell’s UOP, the Chicago Department of Aviation and the Clean Energy Trust, to advance commercialization of cost-competitive aviation biofuels.
More than 24% percent of United’s ground equipment fleet is electric or alternatively fueled.
During the last six years, United recycled more than 20 million pounds of cans, paper and plastic items from waste generated inflight and at its facilities resulting in a net reduction of 28,700 metric tons of carbon emissions – or an equivalent of removing over 5,000 cars from the road over that same time period.
Eco-Teams, comprised of cross-divisional representatives, are at every hub and major facility.
United’s enhanced carbon offset program allows its customers to calculate and offset the carbon footprint associated with their air travel and cargo shipments.

For more information on United’s environmental commitment, visit www.united.com/ecoskies.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-924 ER N75432 pushes back from the gate at the San Francisco hub yesterday (January 25) in the new markings. Per seat, the new dash 900 model (replacing older types) is the most fuel-efficient 737 ever built.

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United Airlines banks 4Q net income of $298 million and $1.08 billion in 2013

United Airlines (Chicago) today reported full-year 2013 net income of $1.084 billion, an increase of 84 percent year-over-year, or $2.84 per diluted share, excluding $513 million of special charges. Including special charges, UAL reported full-year 2013 net income of $571 million, or $1.53 per diluted share. UAL reported fourth-quarter 2013 net income of $298 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, excluding $158 million of special charges. Including special charges, UAL reported fourth-quarter 2013 net income of $140 million, or$0.37 per diluted share.

UAL earned a 10.0 percent return on invested capital in 2013.
UAL generated $38.3 billion of revenue in 2013, an increase of 3.0 percent year-over-year.
United’s consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 3.1 percent in 2013 compared to 2012.
Full-year 2013 consolidated unit costs (CASM), holding fuel rate and profit sharing constant and excluding special charges and third-party business expense, increased 3.8 percent year-over-year on a consolidated capacity reduction of 1.4 percent. Full-year 2013 consolidated CASM increased 1.2 percent year-over-year.
UAL ended 2013 with $6.1 billion in unrestricted liquidity.
Employees earned $190 million in profit sharing for full-year 2013, which will be distributed on Feb. 14.
For the 10th consecutive year, readers of Global Traveler magazine voted United’s MileagePlus program the Best Frequent-Flyer program.

“We significantly improved our operations, customer service and financial results in 2013 thanks to the outstanding work of the United team,” said Jeff Smisek, UAL’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our goals for 2014 are to provide even more reliable operations, great customer service and materially better financial performance.”

Fourth-Quarter Revenue and Capacity

For the fourth quarter of 2013, total revenue was $9.3 billion, an increase of 7.2 percent year-over-year. Fourth-quarter consolidated passenger revenue increased 5.9 percent to $8.0 billion, compared to the same period in 2012. Other revenue in the fourth quarter increased 22.2 percent year-over-year to $1.1 billion, in large part due to an agreement to sell jet fuel to a third party. Ancillary revenue per passenger in the fourth quarter increased 15 percent year-over-year to nearly $21 per passenger. Fourth-quarter cargo revenue decreased 9.5 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2012 to $220 million.

Consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increased 2.7 percent on a consolidated capacity (available seat miles) increase of 2.6 percent year-over-year for the fourth quarter, resulting in a fourth-quarter consolidated load factor of 82.4 percent.

Fourth-quarter 2013 consolidated PRASM increased 3.2 percent compared to the same period in 2012. Consolidated yield for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased 3.0 percent year-over-year.

“Our employees delivered improved operational performance in 2013, and our customer satisfaction scores increased throughout the year,” said Jim Compton, UAL’s vice chairman and chief revenue officer. “We are growing our revenue by building on the strengths of our leading route network and leveraging the investments we’ve made in our fleet, product and technology.”

Passenger revenue for the fourth quarter of 2013 and period-to-period comparisons of related statistics for UAL’s mainline and regional operations are as follows:

	4Q 2013 Pax Revenue (m)	Pax Revenue vs.4Q 2012	PRASM vs. 4Q 2012	Yield vs. 4Q 2012	ASM vs. 4Q 2012

Domestic	$3,160	7.0%	4.5%	3.8%	2.5%

Atlantic	1,299	7.0%	2.2%	2.0%	4.7%
Pacific	1,124	(2.8%)	(5.0%)	(1.6%)	2.4%
Latin America	622	5.4%	7.0%	5.7%	(1.5%)
International	3,045	2.9%	0.2%	1.3%	2.6%

Mainline	6,205	4.9%	2.3%	2.5%	2.6%
Regional	1,772	9.4%	6.2%	3.8%	3.0%

Consolidated	$7,977	5.9%	3.2%	3.0%	2.6%

Fourth-Quarter Costs

Total operating expenses decreased $73 million, or 0.8 percent, in the fourth quarter versus the same period in 2012. Excluding special charges, fourth-quarter total operating expenses increased $201 million, or 2.3 percent, year-over-year.

Fourth-quarter consolidated CASM decreased 3.3 percent year-over-year. Fourth-quarter consolidated CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expense, decreased 1.1 percent compared to fourth quarter 2012. Third-party business expense was $198 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

In the fourth quarter, consolidated CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expense and holding fuel rate and profit sharing constant, increased 0.1 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2012.

“We closed out 2013 on a strong note with solid earnings improvement,” said John Rainey, UAL’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “We are eager to build upon the groundwork laid last year by delivering even better financial results in 2014 and continuing to make significant improvements in our capital structure.”

Liquidity, Cash Flow and Return on Invested Capital

UAL ended the year with $6.1 billion in unrestricted liquidity, including $1 billion of undrawn commitments under a revolving credit facility. During the fourth quarter, the company had gross capital expenditures of $760 million. The company made debt and capital lease principal payments of $256 million in the fourth quarter and $2.3 billion for the full year. The company’s return on invested capital for 2013 was 10.0 percent.

2013 Accomplishments

Operations, Employees and Customer Service

For the fourth quarter, United recorded a mainline on-time arrival rate (domestic and international) of 80.6 percent. For the full year, United recorded a mainline on-time arrival rate of 79.3 percent. The on-time arrival rate is based on flights arriving within 14 minutes of scheduled arrival time. United employees earned cash incentive payments for on-time performance totaling $54 million during 2013.
United’s nearly 28,000 fleet service, passenger service and storekeeper employees ratified joint collective bargaining agreements the company reached with the International Association of Machinists.
United completed the first phase of its new customer service training for all flight attendants, airport agents and reservation agents worldwide.
More than 64,000 United Airlines employees debuted newly designed uniforms.

Finance, Network and Fleet

The company outlined its long-term plans to reduce costs, increase revenue and enhance profitability while delivering competitive reliability and excellent customer service. United outlined a multi-year $2 billion annual cost-savings program and set a goal to grow its ancillary revenue at least $700 million annually by 2017.
United replaced its $1.2 billion term loan due 2014 with a new $900 million term loan due 2019, and reduced the principal balance by $300 million in the process. Simultaneously, United entered into a new $1.0 billionrevolving credit facility due 2018 that replaced the company’s $500 million undrawn revolving credit facility due 2015, bolstering the company’s unrestricted liquidity position.
United raised $929 million of debt financing through enhanced equipment trust certificates at an average interest rate of approximately 4.5 percent. The debt proceeds are being used to finance the acquisition of three new Boeing 787-8 and 18 new Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft.
United issued two tranches of unsecured debt in 2013: $300 million of senior unsecured notes due 2018 at an interest rate of 6.375 percent and $300 million of senior unsecured notes due 2020 at an interest rate of 6 percent.
The company expanded its industry-leading global route network, launching nonstop flights to numerous international destinations including Guatemala City; Nassau, Bahamas; Paris; San Jose, Costa Rica; Shannon, Ireland; St. Lucia; Tokyo; and Edmonton, Alberta, Fort McMurray, Alberta, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. United also announced new nonstop international flights beginning in 2014 to Chengdu, China; Edinburgh, Scotland; Madrid; Munich; Taipei, Taiwan; and Tokyo. The company started 19 new domestic routes in 2013, including the company’s first service to Dickinson, N.D.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Santa Fe, N.M. and Sun Valley, Idaho. United also announced 10 new domestic markets for 2014 including the company’s first service to Atlantic City, N.J.; Elmira, N.Y.; Pueblo, Colo.; and Topeka, Kan.
The company took delivery of two new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners in 2013, bringing its total Dreamliner fleet to eight aircraft. The company also took delivery of 24 new Boeing 737-900ERs in 2013. United exited from scheduled service 23 Boeing 757-200s and the last of its Boeing 737-500s and Boeing 767-200s.
The company increased its Dreamliner order to 65 aircraft with an order for the Boeing 787-10. The company also converted its existing order for 25 Airbus A350-900s into larger A350-1000s and added an additional 10 aircraft to the order, totaling 35 aircraft. These new aircraft will enable United to expand its network, further modernize its international widebody fleet by replacing older, less efficient aircraft to reduce fuel and operating costs, and enhance the customer experience.
United announced it will introduce 70 new 76-seat Embraer 175 aircraft into the United Express fleet beginning in 2014. These aircraft will enhance the customer experience, improve fuel efficiency and provide additional ancillary revenue opportunities.

Product, Loyalty Program and Facilities

United debuted its new brand campaign, featuring its iconic “Fly the Friendly Skies” tagline, reinterpreted for today’s travelers. The new campaign focuses on United’s commitment to being “user-friendly,” which means providing customers great service, easy-to-use technology and product enhancements.
The company continued outfitting aircraft with satellite Wi-Fi across its entire mainline fleet. The airline now offers Wi-Fi on nearly 170 aircraft and is outfitting one aircraft per day with satellite Wi-Fi.
United completed an extensive retrofit of 15 Boeing 757-200s that fly its p.s. (Premium Service) routes between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and both San Francisco and Los Angeles, making it the first and only airline to offer premium-cabin, flat-bed seats on every scheduled transcontinental flight.
United reached a milestone of offering flat-bed seats in its premium cabins on every scheduled long-haul international flight. The airline offers more flat-bed premium cabin seats and more extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America.
The company launched an all-new United mobile app and began rolling out new, more intuitive kiosk technology at the airport, offering customers innovative new features and better functionality while also providing United more opportunity to sell its products effectively.
United launched subscription options that offer customers access to Economy Plus seating or pre-paid checked baggage charges for a year. The company relaunched the Premier Access program offering customers access to expedited check-in, security checkpoint lanes and priority boarding, as well as a new baggage delivery option.
In 2013, Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel and for the 10th consecutive year, readers of Global Traveler magazine voted United’s MileagePlus program the Best Frequent-Flyer program. United also has the most saver-style award-seat availability among the largest U.S. global airlines according to the 2013 Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey.
United opened its new Terminal B south concourse, a 225,000-square-foot facility dedicated to United Express regional flights at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The airline signed a 20-year lease extension at Newark Liberty, committing to invest an additional $150 million in facility upgrades. United in 2013 launched a new in-line checked baggage inspection system in Terminal C at Newark Liberty that will double the system’s capacity while improving safety and reliability. The company also completed construction on a new widebody aircraft maintenance hangar at Washington Dulles International Airport, and neared completion of a widebody hangar at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. United is steadily adding new Boeing 737-900 ERs. Boeing 737-924 ER N57439 (msn 33534) climbs gracefully at Los Angeles.

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United Airlines (historic):

Alaska Air Group reports 4Q net income of $78 million and $508 net income for 2013, a new record

Alaska Air Group Inc. (Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) (Seattle/Tacoma) today reported fourth quarter 2013 GAAP net income of $78 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $44 million, or $0.61 per diluted share in 2012. Excluding mark-to-market fuel hedge gains of $2 million ($1 million after tax, or $0.01 per diluted share), the company reported record fourth quarter 2013 net income of $77 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared to net income excluding mark-to-market fuel hedge losses of $50 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in 2012.

The company reported full-year 2013 GAAP net income of $508 million, compared to $316 million in the prior year. Excluding the impact of the items noted in the table below, the company reported record net income of $383 million, or $5.40 per diluted share for 2013, compared to net income of $339 million, or $4.73 per diluted share in 2012. This marks the fourth year in a row the company has exceeded its goal of a 10 percent return on invested capital.

The following table reconciles the company’s adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share (EPS) during the full year and fourth quarters of 2013 and 2012 to amounts as reported in accordance with GAAP:

	Three Months Ended Dec. 31,
	2013				2012
(in millions, except per share amounts)	Dollars		Diluted EPS		Dollars		Diluted EPS
Reported GAAP net income	$	78	$	1.11	$	44	$	0.61
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, net of tax	(1)		(0.01)		6		0.09
Non-GAAP adjusted income and per share amounts	$	77	$	1.10	$	50	$	0.70

	12 Months Ended Dec. 31,
	2013				2012
(in millions, except per share amounts)	Dollars		Diluted EPS		Dollars		Diluted EPS
Reported GAAP net income	$	508	$	7.16	$	316	$	4.40
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, net of tax	(5)		(0.06)		23		0.33
Special mileage plan revenue, net of tax	$	(120)	$	(1.70)	$	—	$	—
Non-GAAP adjusted income and per share amounts	$	383	$	5.40	$	339	$	4.73

Financial Highlights:

Record fourth quarter net income, excluding special items, of $77 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared to $50 million, or $0.70 per diluted share in 2012. This quarter’s results compare to a First Call analyst consensus estimate of $1.07 per share.
Record full-year net income, excluding special items, of $383 million, or $5.40 per diluted share, compared to$339 million, or $4.73 per diluted share in 2012.
Net income for the fourth quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $78 million, or$1.11 per diluted share, compared to net income of $44 million, or $0.61 per diluted share in 2012. Full-year GAAP net income of $508 million, or $7.16 per diluted share, compared to net income of $316 million, or $4.40per diluted share in 2012.
Air Group employees earned $105 million in incentive pay in 2013, or nearly five weeks of pay for most employees. Over the last four years, employees have earned more than $357 million in incentive pay, averaging 8.8% of annual pay for most employees.
Achieved return on invested capital of 13.6% in 2013, compared to 13% in 2012.
Lowered adjusted debt-to-total capitalization ratio to 35% as of Dec. 31, 2013.
Fully funded the company’s defined benefit pension plans in 2013.
Held $1.3 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of Dec. 31, 2013.
Repurchased 2,492,093 shares of common stock for approximately $159 million in 2013. Since 2007, Air Group has used $478 million to repurchase 21 million shares.
Modified affinity card agreement with Bank of America and extended through 2017, estimated to generate $55 million in additional cash flows annually.
Received a credit rating upgrade from Standard and Poor’s to “BB+” with a stable outlook.

Other Highlights and Achievements:

Ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers” by J.D. Power for the sixth year in a row.
Ranked as the best U.S. major airline by The Wall Street Journal’s “Middle Seat” scorecard.
Named Airline Industry Leader in the 2013 Temkin Customer Service Rankings.
Held the top spot in U.S. Department of Transportation on-time performance among major U.S. airlines for the 12 months ended November 2013.
Alaska Airlines received the FAA’s “Diamond Certificate of Excellence” award for the 12th consecutive year; and Horizon Air received the certificate for the 12th time in the last 14 years.
Improved employee productivity in 2013 by 4.0% compared to 2012.
Signed five-year collective bargaining agreements with Alaska pilots and Horizon flight attendants.
Named most fuel-efficient airline in the U.S. in a report released by the International Council on Clean Transportation.
Donated $7.6 million to more than 1,300 charitable organizations, including support for the grand opening of Aviation High School in Seattle and other educational efforts. Our employees also volunteered more than 10,500 hours of community service.
Signed an exclusive multi-year partnership with Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson, and named him our “Chief Football Officer.”

New routes:

New routes launched and announced in the fourth quarter are as follows:

New Nonstop Routes Launched in Q4	New Nonstop Routes (Launch Date)
Seattle – Colorado Springs	Portland – Salt Lake City (6/9/14)
Portland – Tucson	San Diego – Salt Lake City (6/10/14)
Portland – Boise	Los Angeles – Salt Lake City (6/11/14)
San Diego – Boise	San Jose – Salt Lake City (6/12/14)
Seattle – Omaha	Boise – Salt Lake City (6/16/14)
Portland – Reno	Las Vegas – Salt Lake City (6/16/14)
Seattle – Steamboat Springs	San Francisco – Salt Lake City (6/18/14)
Anchorage – Phoenix
Anchorage – Las Vegas
San Diego – Mammoth Lakes

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-990 N318AS (msn 30018) in the “We’re Going to Disneyland Resort” special livery arrives in Los Angeles.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Horizon:

Horizon Air:

Delta names a new Boeing 737-900 ER “The Spirit of Seattle”

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) in another move to underscore its growing presence at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and in celebration of its 80th anniversary of service and growing presence in the Seattle/Tacoma area, unveiled at Boeing Field a new Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft (737-932 ER N809DN, msn 31915) as the ‘Spirit of Seattle,’ dedicated to the city of Seattle and the airline’s customers, employees and partners in the region.

The dedication took place in a ceremony at Boeing Field, the same location that Delta began service in Seattle on December 3, 1933, through Northwest Airways, which eventually became Northwest Airlines. The inaugural flight was flown from Spokane to Seattle and back to Spokane on a Waco JTO biplane carrying no passengers. Initial passenger service was a Tacoma-Seattle-Wenatchee-Spokane route using 7-passenger, 120-mph Hamilton H47 Metalplanes.

Today, Delta operates 35 peak-day departures to 15 destinations from its growing gateway in Seattle, including non-stop international service to Amsterdam, Paris, Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Shanghai and Beijing. Additional international service is planned in 2014 to London-Heathrow as well as Hong Kong and Seoul, pending government approval. Delta will also expand Seattle service to Anchorage, Alaska; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; and San Francisco and also recently announced new service to Fairbanks, Alaska, and Vancouver, Canada, beginning in the summer of 2014.

More than 100 Delta Chairman’s Club honorees attended the dedication event along with local employees and corporate and community partners. The honorees are accompanying the aircraft on its delivery flight from Seattle to Atlanta prior to entering service later this month. Chairman’s Club is Delta’s highest honor in employee recognition, and honorees embody Delta’s values through their distinguished contributions and exceptional service to customers and the communities Delta serves.

The ‘Spirit of Seattle’ is the ninth of 100 new 737-900 ERs that will be delivered to Delta between 2013 and 2018 as it retires older mainline jets and upgrades its fleet. The 737-900 ER will be deployed on several routes to and from Seattle/Tacoma, among others, and has a range of 3,200 nautical miles, giving it the ability to operate any domestic route in Delta’s extensive network.

Delta will take delivery of three additional 737-900 ERs this year for a total of 12 aircraft in 2013, 19 aircraft per year in 2014 through 2017, and 12 aircraft in 2018. The 180-seat aircraft will replace older, less efficient aircraft on a capacity-neutral basis while providing customers with an industry-leading on-board experience.

As Delta’s first aircraft to feature Boeing’s new “Sky Interior,” the 737-900 ER offers the airline’s customers expanded carry-on baggage space, a roomier, more airy cabin and an LED lighting system that provides different color schemes, such as a soft blue sky and a relaxing pallet of sunset colors.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Sister ship Boeing 737-932 ER N805DN (msn 31913), the fifth, was delivered on November 1, 2013.

Delta Air Lines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. N809DN “The Spirit of Seattle” is seen at Boeing Field in Seattle.

Boeing delivers the 100th Next-Generation 737 to the Lion Group

Boeing (Chicago) and the Lion Group (Lion Air) (Jakarta), Indonesia’s largest airline group, yesterday (November 4) commemorated the delivery of the carrier’s 100th Next-Generation 737 at a special event.

The Lion Group’s 100th airplane, the pictured Lion Air 737-9GP ER (Extended Range) PK-LOF (msn 38741) features a special “100th Boeing Next-Generation 737 – Thank You Indonesia” livery commemorating the delivery.

Lion Air, which was established in 1999, was also the launch customer for the 737-900 ER. Lion Air mainline currently operates 67 737-900 ERs and 19 737-800s. The group’s other Next-Generation 737s are allocated to its full-service carrier in Indonesia, Batik Air, and to its overseas affiliates: Malindo Air in Malaysia and Thai Lion Air, a new carrier based in Bangkok.

All of the Lion Group’s new 737 deliveries feature the Boeing Sky Interior, the 787 Dreamliner inspired cabin.

Lion mainline and subsidiary Wings Air serve 76 destinations in Indonesia, giving the group the largest domestic network in Indonesia. Lion Air mainline has 580 flights a day and Wings Air has 180 flights per day.

Top Copyright Photo: The Boeing Company. Bottom Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com.

Lion Air:

El Al finalizes its order for two more Boeing 737-900 ERs

El Al Israel Airlines (Tel Aviv) and Boeing (Chicago) have finalized an order for two additional Next-Generation 737-900 ER (Extended Range) airplanes. The order comes just two weeks after the Israeli flag-carrier took delivery of its first 737-900 ER. This order brings the total number of 737-900 ERs ordered by El Al to eight.

The order was finalized at a special event hosted by El Al at the carrier’s base at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport to celebrate the recent arrival of El Al’s first 737-900 ER. The Boeing 737-900 ER has the highest capacity and lowest seat-mile cost of Boeing’s single-aisle family and will perfectly complement EL AL’s existing fleet of Next-Generation 737-700s and 737-800s.

El Al’s 737-900 ERs will also feature the innovative Boeing Sky Interior, enabling the airline to differentiate itself from its competitors by offering passengers a more comfortable travel experience. The 737 Boeing Sky Interior features modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting to enhance the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Brand new Boeing 737-958 ER 4X-EHA (msn 41552) was delivered to El Al on October 9, 2013.

El Al:

Thai Lion Air takes delivery of its first Boeing 737-900 ER

Thai Lion Air (Bangkok-Don Mueang) is the new low-cost subsidiary of Lion Air of Indonesia. Lion Air has partnered with local Thai interests and is planning to launch operations later this year.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Boeing 737-9GP ER N5515R (msn 38738) with gray “Thai” titles before the main Lion titles, became HS-LTI when it was handed over on October 18, 2013.

Alaska Airlines dedicates a “Spirit of Education” Boeing 737-900 ER to the nation’s first college preparatory, aviation-themed high school

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) has issued this press release:

Local business and government leaders joined students, educators and alumni from Raisbeck Aviation High School onboard a specially themed Alaska Airlines jet on October 17 for the grand opening of the new facility for the nation’s first public, college preparatory, aviation-themed high school. The “Spirit of Education,” the Boeing 737-990 ER N403AS (msn 41730), is dedicated to the students and staff of Raisbeck Aviation High School and will fly for six months around the carrier’s route network.

Among the passengers onboard Flight AS 9401 was senior Austin Spores of Redmond, Washington, who commutes two hours to school every day. Spores, who is getting his private pilot’s license, plans to pursue a career as a commercial pilot.

Like all students who choose to attend RAHS instead of a traditional secondary school, Spores had a strong interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Last summer, he interned as a dispatcher for Seattle-based Kenmore Air and hopes to study aeronautics at the University of North Dakota or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University after graduating next June.

“I’ve been surrounded by aviation my entire life, so being in an aviation-themed environment like Raisbeck Aviation High School is a dream come true,” Spores said.

Alaska Airlines employees have mentored and volunteered with students interested in commercial aviation since the school’s inception in 2004. As a founding sponsor, the airline pledged $1.5 million in a public/private partnership to build the $44.5 million state-of-the-art school designed to educate the next generation of scientists, engineers, and other aviation and aerospace-focused professionals.

“Investing in Raisbeck Aviation High School is an investment in the youth of our community,” said Brad Tilden, Alaska Airlines’ president and CEO. “Students attending this STEM school are poised to bring much-needed innovation to our industry, which could further improve the safety, efficiency and environmental performance of commercial aviation.” Raisbeck Aviation High School, part of Highline Public Schools, is located on the grounds of the Museum of Flight near Boeing Field to encourage partnerships with aviation and aerospace leaders and ensure relevance in the instructional program.

“Having this school on the grounds of the Museum of Flight, so close to more than 200 aviation industry businesses like Boeing and Alaska Airlines, gives our students something truly special — an unparalleled chance to be simultaneously immersed in learning and industry,” said Reba Gilman, Raisbeck Aviation High School CEO and principal.

Highlights of Raisbeck Aviation High School:

400 students from 27 school districts travel by car, train, boat/ferry or bus to attend the public school, located in Tukwila, Wash.
Students of RAHS consistently rank in the top 5 percent in Washington state assessments. The school’s performance ranks 252^nd out of 22,000 nationwide high schools according to US News & World Report. About three-quarters of RAHS students intend to pursue STEM-related education at universities including Stanford, Harvard, Cornell and MIT.
The school is designed for project-based instructional programs, with labs that enable students to build robots, rockets, model airplanes and even a real airplane.
Rather than a traditional library, the school provides classroom libraries and access to the Museum of Flight’s extensive archives and library. A computer is provided to each student.
During the summer, the school will be used by the museum for science camps — assuring year-round utilization of the building as well as introducing younger children to Raisbeck Aviation High School.
All RAHS students are connected with a mentor in an aviation/aerospace-related field. Students are also placed in internships in high-demand STEM workplaces such as Boeing, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port of Seattle.

Supporting education in its home state is a top priority for Alaska Airlines. Since 2007, the carrier has contributed more than $6.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to 303 Washington educational institutions and organizations. Recent gifts include $150,000 to Western Washington University’s Institute for Energy Studies, $75,000 to the Highline Community College Foundation for student scholarships, $700,000 to the Independent Colleges of Washington and $1.5 million to the University of Washington.

Alaska Airlines: