Alaska Airlines Commemorative aircraft Spirit of Seattle plane Boeing 737-800

Alaska Airlines Commemorative aircraft Spirit of Seattle plane Boeing 737-800. Introduced in 2008, the “Spirit of Seattle” celebrates Alaska Airlines’ longstanding business relationship with its hometown partner, The Boeing Co.

The special livery features Boeing’s sweeping blue stripes and Alaska’s beloved Eskimo.

In 2005, due to the greater efficiency of the Boeing 737 Next Generation and rising costs for maintenance, fuel, and crew training, Alaska Airlines decided to phase out its remaining 26 MD-80s and trained its pilots to fly the newer Boeing 737-800s that were being ordered to replace them.

According to the airline, the MD-80 burned 1,100 US gallons (4,200 l) of fuel per hour, while the 737-800 burns just 850 US gallons (3,200 l) per hour.

The last MD-80 flights flew on August 25, 2008, with one flight from San Jose to Seattle and another from Sacramento to Seattle.

To mark its transition to an all-Boeing fleet, Alaska Airlines unveiled a 737-800 called Spirit of Seattle with Boeing’s house colors painted on the fuselage and the airline’s Eskimo logo painted on the tail fin.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 “Spirit of Seattle” Specifications

• Number in Fleet: 1
• Crew: 2 Pilots, 4 Flight Attendants
• First Class: 12
• Range: 2,920 nm
• Premium Class: 30
• Length: 129 ft, 6 in (39.5 m)
• Coach: 117
• Typical Cruise Speed: 530 mph (853 km/h)
• Wingspan: (with winglets) 117 ft, 5 in (35.8 m)
• Max. Cruising Altitude: 41,000 ft (12,497 m)

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 Special Livery “Spirit of Seattle” Images Gallery

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