Alaska Airlines announced today a firm order for 20 737 MAX 8s, 17 737 MAX 9s and 13 Next-Generation 737-900ERs. The order, with a current list-price value of $5 billion, is the largest in Alaska Airlines' history. Alaska Airlines currently operates 120 Boeing 737s. The new firm order of 50 aircraft, plus 25 existing firm delivery positions, meet the carrier's fleet replacement and growth needs for the next decade.

The 737 MAX is a new-engine variant of the world's best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 14 percent fuel-use improvement over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes and an 8 percent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow's competition.