Boeing 737-900 Retirement: A Milestone for Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines pioneered the Boeing 737-900 in 2001, becoming the first airline to operate this extended-range version of the popular 737 family.

On October 1st, marking the end of its service with Alaska Airlines, the Boeing 737-900 with registration N305AS embarked on its final flight. Flight tracking data from planespotters.net confirms this historic journey. The aircraft departed from its familiar stomping grounds at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and made its way south to Marana Pinal Airport (MZJ) in Arizona. This final destination holds a unique significance – Marana Pinal Airport is renowned as one of the largest aircraft boneyards in the United States, where retired planes are stored.

Alaska Airlines has planned four flights with the N307AS on October 4, starting with flight AS630 departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Salt Lake City International Airport.

Alaska Airlines has announced plans to phase out its entire fleet of 12 Boeing 737-900 aircraft by 2025, as detailed in its Q2 financial report to the SEC. The retirement process will begin in 2024 with the grounding of six aircraft, followed by the remaining six in 2025. Notably, the airline’s 79 Boeing 737-900ERs will continue to operate until at least December 31, 2026