SEATTLE, Oct. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA)
and hometown partner Alaska Airlines celebrated the first 737
featuring Boeing's new Space Bins, which increase the room for
carry-on baggage by 48 percent. Alaska is the launch customer of Space
Bins.
"Alaska is relentlessly focused
on making the travel experience better," said Sangita Woerner, Alaska Airlines vice president
of marketing. "We've been on a mission to improve our cabin
experience for several years and Space Bins are part of a
$150 million investment we've made to
make flying more comfortable and enjoyable. By the end of 2017,
nearly half of our fleet will have larger bins to accommodate a
carry-on bag for virtually every customer."
Alaska will take delivery of 34
Next-Generation 737s and one 737 MAX in the next two years and will
also begin retrofitting 34 aircraft with the Boeing Sky Interior,
primarily 737-900ERs (Extended Range), in 2016.
Each Space Bin stows six bags, two more than the current pivot
bins installed on Next-Generation 737s with the Boeing Sky
Interior. That's based on a standard size carry-on bag measuring 9
in x 14 in x 22 in (23 cm x 36 cm x 56 cm).
"We work closely with our customers to continuously enhance
their airplanes so they can offer great passenger experiences,"
said Brent Walton, manager of 737
Interiors New Features for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We have a
strong record of delivering value with innovative interior features
like bigger bins that help reduce passenger anxiety about overhead
storage and provide a better travel experience."
When open, the bottom edge of a Space Bin hangs about 2 inches
(5 centimeters) lower, so travelers can lift their carry-on bags
more easily. The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed and
increase visibility into the back of the bins. Alaska Airlines also
reports that the Space Bins, designed without a flight attendant
bin assist mechanism, are easier to close.
Alaska Airlines is installing Space Bins on all its 737-900ERs
and 737 MAX aircraft currently on order and by 2017 will have 69
airplanes, or 46 percent of its passenger fleet, outfitted with
Space Bins.
Boeing's Space Bins are available as an optional feature on
in-production Next-Generation 737s and 737 MAXs. Space Bins are
also available for retrofit on in-service Next-Generation 737s.
Maximum Bag
Capacity* Based on the 737-900ER and 737 MAX 9
|
Bin Type
(Introduction date)
|
Boeing Bag
Count
|
Alaska Airlines Bag
Count
|
Pivot Bins
(2010)
|
132
|
117
|
Space Bins
(2015)
|
198
|
174
|
*Bag count varies
depending on airline interior configuration.
|
More information on Boeing Space Bins available here:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737max/space-bins/
Photo and caption are available here:
http://boeing.mediaroom.com
Contact:
Peter P. Pedraza
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
206-544-2825
peter.p.pedraza@boeing.com
Bobbie Egan
Alaska Airlines
206-392-5134
bobbie.egan@alaskaair.com
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alaska-airlines-increases-overhead-storage-nearly-50-percent-with-first-737-featuring-new-boeing-space-bins-300157186.html
SOURCE Boeing; Alaska Airlines