Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) yesterday (October 23) took delivery of its first new Boeing 737-900 ER (Extended Range) (N402AS) aircraft.

Meanwhile, The Boeing Company (Chicago) reported third quarter net income of $1.0 billion, or $1.35 per share, on continued strong core performance and revenue of $20.0 billion.  Increased earnings at Commercial Airplanes and Defense, Space & Security were more than offset by higher pension expense of $194 million ($0.18 per share).  Earnings per share guidance for 2012 was raised to between $4.80 and $4.95.  The company also raised its revenue guidance to between $80.5 and $82 billion on higher Defense, Space & Security revenue, and increased its 2012 operating cash flow outlook to greater than $5.5 billion.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Boeing 737-990 ER N402AS (msn 41189) is pictured departing from a cloudy Boeing Field in Seattle as flight “Alaska 9401” bound for Paine Field (PAE) near Everett, to where it will be outfitted prior to entry into revenue service.

Alaska Airlines: