Boeing 787-9 flight status :
Are you planning a trip and wondering about your plane? You might love the big, quiet Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It is a fantastic plane for long flights. But does Alaska Airlines fly Boeing 787 planes? This is a question many travelers ask when booking their flights.
The short answer is no. Alaska Airlines does not fly the Boeing 787. You will not find this widebody plane in their fleet.
If you book a flight with them, you will fly on a smaller plane. Usually, this means a Boeing 737. But there is a lot more to this story. You can actually still fly on a Dreamliner using your Alaska miles. There are also new changes happening with their fleet right now.
We will look at why they do not fly this plane. We will also show you how to get on a 787 anyway. Let us look at the details.
Why Alaska Airlines Does Not Fly the Boeing 787
To understand this choice, we have to look at how the airline works. Alaska Airlines is a domestic carrier. They mostly fly people around North America. They fly from coast to coast, up to Alaska, and down to sunny Mexico.
These routes do not need giant planes. The Boeing 787 is a widebody plane. It has two aisles and can fly across huge oceans. It is built for very long flights, like going from New York to London.
For shorter flights, big planes cost too much money to run. They burn a lot of fuel. They also take a long time to load and unload. This is why Alaska Airlines sticks to smaller planes.
Using one main type of plane saves them a lot of money. It makes maintenance much easier. Their mechanics only need to know how to fix one type of jet. This keeps costs low for everyone.
Their pilots also only need training for that one type. If a plane has a problem, they can easily swap it. This keeps flights on time. You can read more about Alaska Airlines fleet choices to see how this simple plan works so well for them.
The Planes You Will See in the Alaska Airlines Fleet
If you fly with them, what plane will you get? Alaska Airlines loves the Boeing 737. They have used this family of planes for a very long time.
The Boeing 737 is a narrowbody plane. It has one aisle down the middle. It usually has three seats on each side of the aisle. It is the perfect size for flights within the United States.
Here is a list of the main planes they use today:
- Boeing 737-800 and 737-900: These are older but very reliable planes. They carry between 159 and 178 passengers. They are the workhorses of the fleet.
- Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9: These are the newer versions of the 737. They are quieter and use less fuel. They also have nice mood lighting inside.
- Embraer 175: This is a smaller regional jet. It only has four seats in each row. Alaska uses these for short flights between smaller cities.
They used to fly some Airbus planes too. They got those planes when they bought Virgin America. But they decided to get rid of them. They wanted to go back to being an all-Boeing airline for their main flights.
I think this was a smart move. It keeps things simple. They do not want the extra cost of running different types of planes. It makes their whole business run much smoother.
Even though their planes are smaller than a 787, they are very comfortable. Most of their 737 planes have the new Boeing Sky Interior. This gives the cabin a spacious feel with nice LED lighting. They also have power outlets at every seat to keep your devices charged.
Will the Hawaiian Airlines Merger Change Things?
Something big happened recently. Alaska Airlines bought Hawaiian Airlines. This is a huge deal for travelers who love the West Coast.
Hawaiian Airlines does fly the Boeing 787. In fact, they just started flying the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. They also fly Airbus A330 planes, which are also large widebody jets. This means the parent company now owns these big planes.
Does this mean you will see Alaska Airlines logos on a 787 soon? Probably not. The two brands will stay separate for now.
The leaders of the airline said they will keep both brands alive. Hawaiian Airlines will keep its name and its planes. Alaska Airlines will keep its own name and its planes. They want to respect the history of both companies.
But the two airlines will work together closely. This means you might be able to buy a ticket on the Alaska website that connects you to a Hawaiian Airlines 787 flight. This is great news for frequent flyers.
I think this is exciting. It gives West Coast flyers a lot more options. You get the great service of Alaska Airlines while getting access to bigger planes for trips to Hawaii or Asia. It is the best of both worlds.
How to Fly on a Boeing 787 with Alaska Miles
You might be disappointed that Alaska does not fly the 787 itself. Do not worry. You can still use your Mileage Plan miles to fly on one. This is a great secret for saving money.
Alaska Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance. This is a group of global airlines that work together. You can earn Alaska miles and spend them on these other airlines very easily.
Many of these partner airlines fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. You can book these flights right on the Alaska Airlines website. It only takes a few clicks.
Here are some partner airlines that fly the 787:
- American Airlines: They fly the 787 on many international routes and some busy domestic routes. You can often find great deals.
- Japan Airlines: They use the 787 for flights across the Pacific Ocean. Their 787 economy class is very spacious and comfortable.
- British Airways: They fly the 787 from the United States to London. It is a very smooth ride.
- Qantas: You can fly their 787 from the US to Australia. This is a very long flight where the 787 really shines.
Booking these flights is pretty easy. You just search for your destination on the Alaska website and select the use miles option. If you want to learn more about how to do this, check out our guide on booking partner flights for step-by-step help.
This is one of the best ways to use your miles. Flying on a partner 787 in business class is an amazing experience. You get a lie-flat bed and great food.
Boeing 737 vs. Boeing 787: A Quick Comparison
Why do people care so much about the Boeing 787 anyway? How does it compare to the Boeing 737 that Alaska flies? Let us look at what makes them different.
The Boeing 737 is a great workhorse. It is perfect for flying from Seattle to Los Angeles. But it is not built for luxury. It can feel a bit tight on long flights across the country.
The Boeing 787 is a different beast. It was designed from the start to make passengers feel better. It has features that you will not find on a 737.
First, the 787 has much larger windows. You can see the sky even if you do not sit right next to the window. You can also dim them with a button instead of using a plastic shade. It feels very futuristic.
Second, the air inside the 787 is better. The cabin is pressurized to a lower level. This means your body feels like it is at a lower altitude. It helps you stay hydrated and reduces jet lag. You will feel much fresher when you land.
Third, the air is more humid. On a normal plane, the air is very dry. The 787 keeps the air wetter, which makes your eyes and throat feel much better. This is a huge help on long flights.
So, while the 737 is great for quick trips, the 787 is much more comfortable for long journeys. That is why so many people look for it when they book their flights.
Will Alaska Airlines ever buy the 787? It is highly unlikely. Their business model relies on keeping things simple. They are very happy with their Boeing 737 fleet. They have ordered many more 737 MAX planes for the future.
If you really want to fly on a 787, your best bet is to use their partner airlines. Or, you can book a flight with Hawaiian Airlines. Do you have a favorite plane to fly on? Have you ever flown on a 787 Dreamliner? I would love to hear your stories.
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