 In the 1980s , Alaska began acquiring McDonnell Douglas MD @-@ 80s . Alaska acquired additional MD @-@ 80s via the acquisition of Jet America Airlines in 1987 . Alaska was the launch customer for the MD @-@ 83 , and took delivery of the first airplanes in 1985 . Alaska continued to take delivery of new MD @-@ <unk> during the 1990s , both to meet the demands of a growing route system , and to retire its aging and fuel inefficient 727 fleet . 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 the remaining 26 MD @-@ 80s and trained the pilots to fly the newer 737 @-@ 800s that were being ordered to replace them . The last MD @-@ 80 flights took place on August 25 , 2008 . 
