More capacity coming as Alaska Airlines retires older planes

Alaska Airlines will retire its fleet of Boeing 737-700 aircraft next year, switching over to larger 800 Series planes — providing more passenger and cargo capacity, particularly on Southeast Alaska runs.

Alaska generally uses the 700 on its multi-stop flights through Southeast, such as the morning “milk run” from Seattle to Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau and Anchorage, and back again in the afternoon.

The larger Boeing jets are configured for 161 passengers, a 37-seat gain over the 124-passenger 700 Series. The 800 Series is about 20 feet longer and has about 50% more room in its bel...