Boeing, EL AL Israel Airlines finalize order for two more 737-900ERs

By BA Staff

El Al Boeing 737-800. Image by AF1621 courtesy Wikimedia

Boeing and El Al Israel Airlines have finalized an order for two additional Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplanes.

The order comes just two weeks after the Israeli flag-carrier took delivery of its first 737-900ER. This order brings the total number of 737-900ERs ordered by EL AL to eight.

Elyezer Shkedy, president and chief executive officer of El Al Israel Airlines said:

"This decision by EL AL to purchase two more 737-900ER aircraft demonstrates our good relationship with Boeing. We are committed to provide our passengers on our medium and short-haul routes with the highest quality product and service, allowing EL AL to continue to be the first choice now and in the future."

The order was finalized at a special event hosted by EL AL at the carrier's base at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport to celebrate the recent arrival of EL AL's first 737-900ER. The Boeing 737-900ER will complement EL AL's existing fleet of Next-Generation 737-700s and 737-800s.

 Todd Nelp, vice president of Sales for Europe, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said:

"We delivered EL AL's first 737-900ER earlier this month and are confident it will fit seamlessly into its short and medium-haul fleet, providing greater flexibility for the carrier's operations across Europe. This order is the latest chapter in a partnership between Boeing and EL AL that stretches back to the foundation of Israel, and it is a sense of enormous pride to the entire company that such a prestigious airline continues to operate an all-Boeing fleet."

EL AL operates an all-Boeing fleet of nearly 40 airplanes including Next-Generation 737s, 747-400s, 767s and 777s and serves more than 40 destinations worldwide from its base in Tel Aviv.  

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Alaska Airlines dedicates ‘Spirit of Education' aircraft to nation's first college preparatory, Aviation-Themed high school

By BA Staff

Local business and government leaders joined students, educators and alumni from Raisbeck Aviation High School onboard a specially themed Alaska Airlines jet for the grand opening of the new facility for the nation's first public, college preparatory, aviation-themed high school.

The "Spirit of Education," a Boeing 737-900ER, is dedicated to the students and staff of Raisbeck Aviation High School and will fly for six months around the carrier's route network.

Among the passengers onboard Flight 9401 was senior Austin Spores of Redmond, Wash., who commutes two hours to school every day. Spores, who is getting his private pilot's license, plans to pursue a career as a commercial pilot.

Like all students who choose to attend RAHS instead of a traditional secondary school, Spores had a strong interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Last summer, he interned as a dispatcher for Seattle-based Kenmore Air and hopes to study aeronautics at the University of North Dakota or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University after graduating next June.

Spores said:

 "I've been surrounded by aviation my entire life, so being in an aviation-themed environment like Raisbeck Aviation High School is a dream come true."

Alaska Airlines employees have mentored and volunteered with students interested in commercial aviation since the school's inception in 2004. As a founding sponsor, the airline pledged $1.5 million in a public/private partnership to build the $44.5 million state-of-the-art school designed to educate the next generation of scientists, engineers, and other aviation and aerospace-focused professionals.

Brad Tilden, Alaska Airlines' president and CEO said:

"Investing in Raisbeck Aviation High School is an investment in the youth of our community. Students attending this STEM school are poised to bring much-needed innovation to our industry, which could further improve the safety, efficiency and environmental performance of commercial aviation. Raisbeck Aviation High School, part of Highline Public Schools, is located on the grounds of the Museum of Flight near Boeing Field to encourage partnerships with aviation and aerospace leaders and ensure relevance in the instructional program.

Reba Gilman, Raisbeck Aviation High School CEO and principal said:

"Having this school on the grounds of the Museum of Flight, so close to more than 200 aviation industry businesses like Boeing and Alaska Airlines, gives our students something truly special — an unparalleled chance to be simultaneously immersed in learning and industry."

Highlights of Raisbeck Aviation High School:

• 400 students from 27 school districts travel by car, train, boat/ferry or bus to attend the public school, located in Tukwila, Wash.
• Students of RAHS consistently rank in the top 5 percent in Washington state assessments. The school's performance ranks 252nd out of 22,000 nationwide high schools according to US News & World Report. About three-quarters of RAHS students intend to pursue STEM-related education at universities including Stanford, Harvard, Cornell and MIT.
• The school is designed for project-based instructional programs, with labs that enable students to build robots, rockets, model airplanes and even a real airplane.
• Rather than a traditional library, the school provides classroom libraries and access to the Museum of Flight's extensive archives and library. A computer is provided to each student.
• During the summer, the school will be used by the museum for science camps — assuring year-round utilization of the building as well as introducing younger children to Raisbeck Aviation High School.
• All RAHS students are connected with a mentor in an aviation/aerospace-related field. Students are also placed in internships in high-demand STEM workplaces such as Boeing, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port of Seattle.

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Boeing Delivers EL AL Israel Airlines' First Next-Generation 737-900ER

By BA Staff

Boeing has delivered to El Al Israel Airlines the carrier's first Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplane.

The delivery is the first of six 737-900ERs the Israeli flag-carrier has on order and is the latest addition to El Al's all-Boeing fleet.  

Elyezer Shkedy, president and chief executive officer, El Al, said:

"The purchase of the Boeing 737-900ER aircraft marks the high point of El Al's re-equipping and fleet renewal impetus. This positions El Al at the forefront of international aviation technology, further elevating El Al's in-flight experience. Our investment in the new modern Economy Class seats and in a sophisticated entertainment system, that will be launched in the coming months, is in line with the target we set for ourselves - to provide the best product and most advanced service for passengers and thus retain El Al's status as the most preferred airline for flights to and from Israel. We would like to thank Boeing and all the other partners for their outstanding work on El Al's six new aircraft."

The Boeing 737-900ER is the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family. It has the highest capacity and lowest seat-mile cost of Boeing's single-aisle family and will fit perfectly into El Al's existing short and medium-haul fleet of Next-Generation 737-700s and 737-800s. El Al's latest addition to its fleet will seat 172 passengers, with all passengers able to enjoy the option of power sockets for their laptops and USB connections. The Israeli-flag carrier operates an all-Boeing fleet of nearly 40 airplanes including Next-Generation 737s, 747-400s, 767s and 777s and serves 30 destinations worldwide.   

El Al's 737-900ER will be its first airplane to feature the new Boeing Sky Interior. This interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. It introduces new LED lighting and curved architecture that welcomes passengers onboard and creates a greater sense of spaciousness and comfort in the cabin. The interior also features modern, sculpted sidewalls and overhead bins that disappear into the ceiling, yet carry more bags.
  
Todd Nelp, vice president of Sales for Europe, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said:

 Europe, while offering its passengers the superior passenger comfort of the Boeing Sky Interior. We share a proud history with El Al, and are honored to once again play a significant role in this all-Boeing carrier's fleet renewal. El Al has already experienced the excellent reliability and operating economics of the Next-Generation 737 family with its fleet of 737-700s and 737-800s. The 737-900ER will enable El Al to greatly expand its operations across.

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Alaska Airlines orders five additional Boeing 737-900ERs

by Devesh Agarwal

Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) and Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today the carrier is exercising options to purchase five Boeing 737-900ER (extended range) aircraft. The five new aircraft are worth $481 million at Boeing's current list price. Two of the aircraft will arrive in 2015 followed by two more in 2016 and one in 2017.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER N402AS. Image courtesy Alaska Airlines.

Mark Eliasen, Alaska Air Group's vice president of finance and treasurer said

"Today's announcement supports our goal of growing Alaska Airlines by 4 to 8 percent a year," "The 737-900ER is a great aircraft, with the cost efficiency and reliability needed for us to be successful in today's competitive marketplace."

This order supplements the 31 aircraft on firm order for delivery by the end of 2017. Alaska Airlines now has unfilled orders for 35 737-900ERs and 37 737 MAX airplanes. Alaska Airlines expects to have 134 Boeing 737s in its fleet by the end of 2014.

Brad McMullen, vice president of North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said

"The order of five additional 737-900ERs is an affirmation of our hometown partner's successful strategy of offering customers good value, delivering a great onboard experience and running an on-time airline," "The 737-900ER offers Alaska Airlines the best seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane in production, which is especially important with today's high fuel prices. The interior also complements Alaska's excellent customer service, providing the passengers with a wonderful flying experience."

The largest and newest model in the Next-Generation (NG) 737 family (737-700, -800, -900ER), the 737-900ER (Extended Range) can carry up to 26 more passengers or fly about 500 nautical miles (926 km) farther than the older 737-900. Alaska Airlines operates the 737-900ER in a two-class configuration with 181 seats and features the Boeing Sky Interior.

The Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers that introduces new lighting and a curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers enjoy a more open cabin feel and an environment simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The interior also features sculpted sidewalls and newly improved and expanded pivot bins. In addition, all of Alaska's seats will feature outlets providing dual 110-volt and USB power.

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Delta receives first next generation Boeing 737-900ER

by Devesh Agarwal

Delta Air Lines commenced its single-aisle fleet renewal process when it took delivery of the first next generation Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. The delivery is part of Delta's 100-airplane order placed in 2011.

Delta Air Lines new next generation Boeing 737-900ER N801DZ. Boeing photo. All rights reserved.

Delta's new 737-900ER seats 180 passengers and features the new Boeing Sky Interior. This interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. It introduces new LED lighting and curved architecture that welcomes passengers onboard and creates a greater sense of spaciousness and comfort in the cabin. The interior also features modern, sculpted sidewalls and overhead bins that disappear into the ceiling, yet carry more bags.

The airplane is also configured with B/E Aerospace's modular advanced lavatory system incorporating the company's patent pending Spacewall® technology, which frees up floor space in the cabin, to add up to six incremental passenger seats.

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Pakistan routes news and analysis: Gulf Air, Pakistan International Airlines, and Turkish Airlines

by Vinay Bhaskara

Several pieces of routes news from Pakistan emerged over the past week, and Bangalore Aviation has prepared a summary of these changes

Gulf Air increases frequency to Pakistan

• Bahrain based  Gulf Air has added 7 new weekly frequencies on its offering to Pakistan, from mid-December 2013, bringing its total Pakistani operation to 21 flights per week to four destinations. A summary of the changes is shown below
• Bahrain - Islamabad increases from 2x weekly to 3x weekly Airbus A330-200
• Bahrain - Karachi increases from daily to 10x weekly Airbus A320
• Bahrain - Lahore increases from 3x weekly to 4x weekly A330-200
• Bahrain - Peshawar increases from 2x weekly to 4x weekly, split as 2x weekly Airbus A321, 1x weekly A330-200, and 1x weekly A320

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) increases service to Manchester/Toronto from November 2013

• Total frequency to Toronto increases to 4x weekly with addition of second weekly Karachi - Lahore - Toronto flights using Boeing 777-200LR equipment
• Total frequency to Manchester increases to 6x weekly with addition of third weekly Islamabad - Manchester on Boeing 777-200ER equipment
• Pakistan International Airlines continues to persist in operating a potpourri of routings for its intercontinental flights, by having low frequencies from each of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and even Peshawar. This is certainly not unprecedented; Saudia has a similar setup out of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. But it would likely be more efficient for PIA to choose just one airport to serve as its gateway for long haul flights; either Karachi, which has the highest yielding traffic, or Islamabad, which has the highest volume of passengers. 

Turkish Airlines switches to 737-900ER

• Istanbul based Turkish Airlines is planning on switching aircraft for some of its flights to Pakistan, replacing the Boeing 737-800 with the Boeing 737-900ER
• Interestingly, the decision to replace the 737-800 with the 737-900ER actually represents a downgrade in capacity, as the 737-800s are configured with 165 seats (12Y+ / 153Y), while the 737-900ERs are configured for 151 seats (16C / 135Y) including a true regional business class product. This is an indication that Turkish Airlines is seeing strong premium demand on its Pakistani routes, but volumes are a bit soft (understandable given the residual weakness in the Pakistani economy)
• The routes affected are:
• All 4x weekly flights to Karachi, Pakistan's business capital
• One of 3x weekly flights to Islamabad, Pakistan's political capital

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