Boeing & Alaska Airlines 60 Years of Partnership in the PNW

This long-standing relationship is built on trust, shared goals, and a commitment to innovation.

By The Boeing Company

Boeing and Alaska Airlines are celebrating 60 years of partnership rooted in the Pacific Northwest. Over six decades, the two companies have grown together, shaping the region’s aerospace industry and connecting communities worldwide.

This long-standing relationship is built on trust, shared goals, and a commitment to innovation. It continues to evolve with Alaska Airlines’ recent historic order for 110 new Boeing airplanes, a move that will support the airline’s growth and strengthen the local aerospace ecosystem.

A historic order to fuel growth and global reach:

Alaska Airlines finalized its largest airplane order ever, purchasing 105 Boeing 737-10 jets and five 787 Dreamliners, with options for 35 more 737-10s. This deal will help the Seattle-based carrier expand its domestic network and grow its international presence, while reducing flight emissions with more fuel-efficient aircraft.

The 737-10s will renew and grow Alaska’s single-aisle fleet, offering the lowest cost per seat of any single-aisle airplane. Meanwhile, the 787 Dreamliners will enable the airline to serve at least 12 new international destinations across Europe and Asia by 2030.

“These planes will fuel our expansion to more destinations across the globe and ensure our guests travel aboard the newest, most fuel-efficient and state-of-the-art aircraft,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Air Group CEO and president. “We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Boeing, a Pacific Northwest neighbor and a company that stands as a symbol of American innovation and manufacturing.”

Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, praised the partnership: “This is a historic airplane order underwritten by Alaska Airlines’ record of strong performance and strategic expansion. We are honored they have placed their trust in our people and our 737 and 787 airplanes to help grow their airline.”

Deep roots in the Pacific Northwest:

Boeing and Alaska Airlines share more than just business ties — they are neighbors and pillars of the Pacific Northwest economy. Together, they support tens of thousands of local jobs and contribute to the region’s economic vitality.

Employees like Cameron, who work at Boeing’s Seattle Delivery Center and has been with the company for 30 years, take great pride in their work. “These airplanes carry people I care about, including my own family, so the work really matters to me,” he said. This sense of connection and purpose is a hallmark of the Boeing-Alaska partnership.

Their collaboration extends beyond airplanes. It is about building a strong aerospace community in the Northwest, one that fosters innovation, quality, and shared success.

Commitment to safety and transparency:

Safety and quality remain at the heart of the Boeing-Alaska relationship. Alaska Airlines’ senior vice president of Safety and Audit programs, Brooke Vatheuer, highlighted the importance of open communication.

“I’ve asked for data. I’ve asked for more data. I’ve asked to meet with leaders all across Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and Boeing never told me no,” she said. This transparency helps both teams identify issues early and resolve them quickly, ensuring the highest standards in airplane production.
Doug Ackerman, Boeing’s vice president of Supplier Quality, added, “Continuous focus on safety and quality is essential. We are committed to steady, reliable production and building trust with our customers.”

Leading the way on sustainable aviation fuel:

Boeing and Alaska Airlines are also working together to reduce aviation’s environmental impact through the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator. This coalition includes stakeholders representing the entire Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) value chain, including Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Washington State University, the Port of Seattle, Amazon, and Washington State and local leaders.

The group aims to develop a regional supply chain for SAF made from renewable materials like cooking oil and agricultural waste. SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Bill McSherry, Boeing vice president of Government Operations, said, “For the last six decades in Snohomish County, Boeing has relied on strong community partnerships to turn ambitious ideas into reality. This research facility and Center of Excellence is a concrete example of that collaboration.”
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson added, “Sustainable aviation fuel puts the Cascadia region at the forefront of the next major chapter of the clean energy transition.”

A partnership built for the future:

For 60 years, Boeing and Alaska Airlines have grown together in the Pacific Northwest.
The aerospace industry remains a cornerstone of Washington’s economy. In 2023, it generated more than $71 billion in business revenues and supported nearly 194,000 jobs statewide. This workforce fuels local economies, supporting thousands of suppliers and small businesses across the region.

Boeing and its employees continue to invest heavily in the community. In recent years, charitable giving by Boeing and its workforce in Washington has totaled tens of millions of dollars annually. The company’s Learning Together Program supports thousands of employees pursuing higher education, reflecting Boeing’s ongoing commitment to workforce development.

As Boeing and Alaska Airlines look to the future, their collaboration continues to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in the region and beyond. Together, they are not only building the airplanes of tomorrow but also shaping a more sustainable, more connected world.