Boeing

The Boeing Company confirmed an Alaska Airlines order for two Next-Generation 737-700 airplanes.

The Next-Generation 737, which entered service last year, is the newest and most advanced single-aisle airplane family. The Next-Generation 737 establishes a new standard for speed and reliability, which means that passengers are less likely to miss connections or arrive late. The Next-Generation 737 features several enhancements to the original 737 design, including a larger wing, new systems and avionics, higher cruise speed, greater range and new engines.

The Boeing 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner of all time. To date, customers worldwide have ordered more than 1,350 Next-Generation 737s, with more than 400 delivered. More than 800 737s are in the air at any time; one takes off somewhere in the world every six seconds.

Boeing also identified an additional eight airplanes for Alaska Airlines, previously disclosed by the airline, that were listed as being from an "unidentified customer" in order totals published by Boeing on Dec. 15. To date, Alaska Airlines has ordered 29 Next-Generation 737s, including 19 737-700s and 10 737-900s.