Budget Carrier Orders 150 Re-Engined Single-Aisle
Airliners
Boeing and Southwest Airlines on Tuesday announced a firm order
for 150 of Boeing's re-engined 737 MAX airplanes. Southwest is the
first customer to finalize an order for the 737 MAX and becomes the
launch customer for the new-engine variant. The Dallas-based
carrier also ordered 58 Next-Generation 737s.
The firm order is the largest in Boeing history both in dollar
value, nearly $19 billion at list prices, and the number of
airplanes. It supports Southwest's initiative to modernize its
all-Boeing fleet, the world's largest fleet of 737s. As the 737 MAX
launch customer, Southwest will take delivery of the first airplane
when it enters service in 2017.
"Southwest is a special Boeing customer and has been a true
partner in the evolution of the 737," said Boeing Commercial
Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. "Throughout our 40-year
relationship, our two companies have collaborated to launch the
737-300, 737-500 and the Next-Generation 737-700 – affirming
the 737 as the world's preferred single-aisle airplane. As launch
customer for the 737 MAX, Southwest, Boeing and the 737 continue
that legacy."
The 737 MAX is the new-engine variant of the world's
best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today's
Next-Generation 737. The new-engine variant, powered by CFM
International LEAP-1B engines, reduces fuel burn and CO2 emissions
by an additional 10-12 percent over today's most fuel-efficient
single-aisle airplane. It will have the lowest operating costs in
the single-aisle segment with a 7 percent advantage over tomorrow's
competition.
"Today's environment demands that we become more fuel efficient
and environmentally friendly, and as the launch Customer of the
Boeing 737 MAX, we have accomplished both," said Gary Kelly,
Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO. "We are teaming up
with our friends from Boeing to lead the industry in a way that
makes both our shareholders and our Customers proud to associate
with Southwest Airlines. Today's announcement will allow us to
maintain our position as a low-cost provider in the years
ahead."
This order continues the growing momentum for the 737 MAX. With
the Southwest order, the 737 MAX has orders and commitments for
more than 900 airplanes from 13 customers, while the
Next-Generation 737 family has won orders for more than 6,600
airplanes and Boeing has delivered more than 3,800. (Image source
Boeing)