Alaska 737-800's - anything new?

[ILStoMinimums]

Hey all,

Any new news on the AS 737-800's? I guess the first one should be online in the beginning of next year?
Any new rumors of what kind of flying they might do? Anything special? Is the Hawaii rumor still floating around AS? If AS was to start flying to Hawaii, what kind of route structure would they have? Also, aren't the -800's ETOP's certified?

 

[NEDude]

Could have sworn I have been seeing Alaska 737-800s flying out of MCO for a while now. They weren't 700s, and they didn't look like -400s. Can the -400 even fly from MCO to SEA?

 

[mach none]

What you saw in MCO was the -900. The -800 will most likely be flown to the east coast and other high density places on the west coast. I have not heard anything about Hawaii for a while. Maybe one the ANC boys can answer that. I believe the original rumor involves ANC-Hawaii anyway.

As far as ETOPS, your airline has to be certified along with the a/c. AS is not ETOPS qualified. I am not sure what it would involve.

Could have sworn I have been seeing Alaska 737-800s flying out of MCO for a while now. They weren't 700s, and they didn't look like -400s. Can the -400 even fly from MCO to SEA?

 

[AK737FO]

I have a dream: HNL in Feb

The ANC-HNL trip has been a dream around here for a long time. I think it comes from pilots doing their walk arounds at 0500, when it is well below zero on the F scale. When you get back inside your fingers are stiff, your nose is running and your ears are burning. A guy says to himself, boy o boy, wouldn't it be nice to have a 24 hour layover in HNL.

Back to reality. ETOPS, body markers (also known as floatation vests), Mileage plan, aircraft scheduling problems, and rafts come to mind just for starters.

As much as I dream about it, I doubt I will ever see that HNL layover.

 

[Freight Dog]

You also got maintenance issues/requirements that are associated with ETOPS. That's a big part of it.. Your MEL-able items are different for ETOPS.. quite a bit actually. ETOPS is very restrictive in terms of MEL-able items.

ETOPS is a whole 'nother animal... and when you seek it, it's your airline and your aircraft type that get certified. Basically, if we wanted to dump our 737-700's at Aloha and replace them with 757's, we'd have to go through another ETOPS certification process even though 757's are commonly used ETOPS airplanes..

 

[ILStoMinimums]

OK I see. So I douibt AS would ever certify the entire fleet just to have one or two HNL flights.

And speaking of the 800's, they will have winglets so you'll be able to pick them out easily! Is the order only two -800's? Any more coming?

 

[Freight Dog]

OK I see. So I douibt AS would ever certify the entire fleet just to have one or two HNL flights.

And speaking of the 800's, they will have winglets so you'll be able to pick them out easily! Is the order only two -800's? Any more coming?

I wouldn't discount Alaska getting ETOPS birds, but then again.... why would they do it? Plenty of other places to conquer.

On the other hand, if Alaska buys us, they'd get an ETOPS certificate right then and there along with airplanes and a lot of Hawaii flights right then and there.

No, this is not even a rumor. This is strictly part urban legend, part wishful thinking.

 

[English]

<sigh> wishful thinking on my part, too. I haven't had Mexico overnights in about a year now...getting low on my Herradurra stash...

 

[ILStoMinimums]

I wouldn't discount Alaska getting ETOPS birds, but then again.... why would they do it? Plenty of other places to conquer.

On the other hand, if Alaska buys us, they'd get an ETOPS certificate right then and there along with airplanes and a lot of Hawaii flights right then and there.

No, this is not even a rumor. This is strictly part urban legend, part wishful thinking.

Nice! Wishful thinking huh.