And ordering the digEplayers fits right in with the industry`s recognition of saving fuel vs expanding passenger options. APS is marketing and managing this quite well, imo. Can`t wait to hear more.

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``Designed and built by a joint venture of Seattle-based Aviation Partners Inc. and The Boeing Co., the winglets are expected to cut fuel expenses about 5 percent. For a plane the size of the 737-800, that means yearly savings of more than $110,000 on fuel alone.

Because the winglets enhance takeoff and cruise performance, pilots can use less power to achieve the same performance. That translates to less engine wear and better efficiency.

Alaska pilot Mike Swanigan said the winglets will save Alaska money in other ways on transcontinental trips.

From time to time on the westbound leg of Alaska`s Miami-to-Sea-Tac route, high winds force the airline`s non-winglet-equipped 737-900s either to make a quick stop to take on more fuel or to lighten the plane`s weight by taking fewer passengers, he said. With the extra range the winglets give the airplane, those stops will be unnecessary and diverting paid passengers to other airlines will be a thing of the past.

Saretsky said Alaska previously hadn`t opted for winglets on its 737s because the savings weren`t high enough.

``With the high price of fuel, the economics changed,`` Saretsky said. ``Airlines used to think the price would come down to historic levels. We think they`re going to stay high.``

Neither Boeing nor Alaska would say how much extra winglets cost, but industry sources said they add about $500,000 to an airliner`s cost.``