At the end of January 2021, Alaska Airlines received the first two of the 68 Boeing 737 MAX 9s it has on firm order. On March 1, 2021, the first MAX 9 of the airline, registered as N913AK, was deployed for commercial service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and San Diego International Airport (SAN).
The entry into service follows five weeks of preparation, training for pilots and other employees, and several test flights. The second MAX 9 delivered (N018AK) should also enter service in March 2021.
In November 2020, Alaska Airlines signed a leasing agreement for 13 new 737 MAXs from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). In December 2020, Alaska Airlines placed an order consisting of 23 Boeing 73 MAX 9s in addition to its initial order for 32 jets which the airline committed to purchasing in 2012. “This plane is a significant part of our future,” said Alaska Airlines President Ben Minicucci.