What Happened to Alaska Airlines?
Alaska Airlines has navigated significant challenges and strategic expansions, most notably the January 2024 Boeing 737 MAX 9 door plug incident which led to temporary groundings and increased scrutiny on manufacturing. Concurrently, the airline completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024, embarking on a major integration effort and an ambitious global expansion plan with new international routes and a historic fleet order in early 2026, despite a reported decline in 2025 profits.
Quick Answer
Alaska Airlines is currently focused on integrating Hawaiian Airlines, which it acquired in September 2024, and expanding its global network with new international routes to Europe and Asia. The airline placed its largest-ever fleet order in January 2026, including Boeing 737 MAX 10s and 787 Dreamliners, to support this growth. While navigating a decline in 2025 profits, Alaska Airlines continues to enhance its fleet and customer experience, even as it addresses ongoing safety concerns following the January 2024 door plug incident and a recent near-collision in March 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Boeing 737 MAX 9 Door Plug Incident (Flight 1282)
A door plug detached from an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 mid-flight from Portland, Oregon, leading to an emergency landing and temporary grounding of the fleet.
FAA Grounds All Boeing 737 MAX 9 Aircraft
The FAA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive, grounding all Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft with a mid-cabin door plug for inspections.
FAA Approves Inspection Process for 737 MAX 9
The FAA approved a new inspection process, allowing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to return to service after successful completion of inspections.
Boeing Compensates Alaska Airlines and Buys Back Incident Aircraft
Boeing paid approximately $160 million in initial compensation to Alaska Airlines for the impact of the 737 MAX 9 grounding and bought back the aircraft involved in Flight 1282.
Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines Completed
Alaska Air Group completed its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, aiming to expand its network and global reach.
One Year Reflection on Flight 1282 Incident
Alaska Airlines released an update reflecting on the lessons learned and changes implemented in collaboration with Boeing and suppliers following the door plug incident.
Launches New Seattle-Tokyo Narita Service
Alaska Airlines began offering new nonstop flights from Seattle to Tokyo Narita, marking a step in its international expansion.
737 Fleet Cabin Refresh Announced
Alaska Airlines announced plans to refresh its 737 fleet by the end of 2025, adding more First and Premium Class seats, device holders, and USB-C ports.
Leadership Transitions Announced
Alaska Air Group announced Jason Berry would succeed Constance von Muehlen as COO of Alaska Airlines, effective November 3, 2025, and Andy Schneider would become CEO and president of Horizon Air.
Largest Fleet Order in History Announced
Alaska Airlines placed its largest-ever order for 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10s and five 787-10 Dreamliners, with options for 35 additional 737 MAX 10s, to support domestic and international expansion.
Reports Q4 and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
Alaska Air Group reported GAAP net income of $100 million for the full year 2025, a decline from 2024, but expressed optimism for 2026 with integration synergies and new international routes.
Achieves Single Operating Certificate with Hawaiian Airlines
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines achieved a single operating certificate from the FAA, a major milestone in their integration.
Plans for Largest U.S. Airline Lounge at SEA
Alaska Airlines announced plans for a new two-story, 40,000-square-foot lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, set to be the largest airline lounge in the U.S.
Largest Spring Break Operation Ever
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines scaled up for their largest spring break operation in history, offering over 12 million seats across March and April.
Near-Collision Incident at Newark
An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 and a FedEx Boeing 777 freighter had a near-collision while landing on intersecting runways at Newark, prompting an FAA investigation.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Alaska Airlines, a prominent U.S. carrier, has experienced a period of significant transformation and scrutiny from late 2023 through early 2026. A pivotal event occurred on January 5, 2024, when a door plug detached from a Boeing 737 MAX 9 during Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon. This alarming incident, which caused an uncontrolled decompression, led to the temporary grounding of Alaska's entire fleet of 65 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and prompted a comprehensive investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The NTSB's preliminary report and subsequent findings attributed the incident to missing bolts that were supposed to secure the door plug, a manufacturing error traced back to Boeing and its supplier, Spirit AeroSystems. Alaska Airlines was not found at fault and subsequently reached a deal with Boeing for the manufacturer to buy back the incident aircraft, which was formally returned in April 2024. This event intensified focus on Boeing's production quality and led Alaska Airlines to enhance its own quality oversight on the Boeing 737 production line.
Amidst these safety concerns, Alaska Airlines pursued a major strategic expansion. In September 2024, Alaska Air Group completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal, a move aimed at widening its footprint across the Pacific and signaling new international ambitions. A significant milestone in this integration was achieved in January 2026, when Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines secured a single operating certificate from the FAA, effectively becoming one airline in the eyes of the regulator. This integration also brought Hawaiian's widebody fleet, including Airbus A330-200s and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, into the Alaska Air Group.
Further demonstrating its commitment to global expansion, Alaska Airlines announced its largest fleet order in history in January 2026. This order includes 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets and five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, with options for an additional 35 737 MAX 10s. This expansion is projected to grow the combined fleet to over 475 aircraft by 2030 and more than 550 by 2035. The 787 Dreamliners are crucial for Alaska's push into long-haul international markets, with new routes from Seattle to Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon launched in 2025, and planned service to Rome, London Heathrow, and Iceland beginning in spring 2026.
Financially, Alaska Air Group reported GAAP net income of $100 million for the full year 2025, a decrease from $395 million in 2024. Adjusted net income for 2025 was $293 million, down from $625 million in 2024. Despite this decline, the company generated $1.2 billion in operating cash flow for 2025 and repurchased $570 million in shares. Management expressed confidence in accelerating momentum in 2026, targeting $10 in earnings per share by 2027, backed by $1 billion in incremental profit from commercial initiatives and Hawaiian integration synergies.
As of March 2026, Alaska Airlines continues to focus on operational enhancements and customer experience. It announced plans for the largest airline lounge in the U.S. at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and is reconfiguring its 737 fleet with more First and Premium Class seats, expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The airline also faced another safety incident on March 17, 2026, when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 had a near-collision with a FedEx freighter at Newark Liberty International Airport, prompting an FAA investigation into air traffic control procedures. Despite these incidents, Alaska Airlines has been recognized among the safest airlines globally in 2025 and 2026 rankings.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Alaska Airlines made different choices?