Boeing (NYSE: BA) and American Airlines have announced that the airline has placed an order for the largest 737 MAX airplane. The order includes 115 of the 737-10 model, which consists of a new order for 85 jets and a conversion of a previous order for 30 of the smaller 737-8 variant. Additionally, American Airlines has also announced that they have options to purchase 75 more 737-10s in the future. This order is a part of American Airlines’ plan to modernize its global fleet.
“Over the past decade, we have invested heavily to modernize and simplify our fleet, which is the largest and youngest among U.S. network carriers,” said American’s CEO Robert Isom. “These orders will continue to fuel our fleet with newer, more efficient aircraft so we can continue to deliver the best network and record-setting operational reliability for our customers.”
American has entered into an agreement to significantly increase its order book for the 737-10 airplane, from about 70 to more than 150 aircrafts. This will help support the airline’s long-term growth strategy and provide highly efficient jets for its domestic and short-haul international network. The 737-10 plane will complement American’s current fleet of 737-8 airplanes, allowing the airline to efficiently meet the growing travel demand by tapping into the 737 family’s commonality and flexibility.
- 737-8: Delivering improvements in fuel, emissions and cost performance, the 737-8 can fly 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km) and seats 162 to 210 passengers depending on configuration.
- 737-10: Offering the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle airplane, the 737-10 can carry up to 230 passengers and offers a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km).
“We deeply appreciate American Airlines’ trust in Boeing and its confidence in the 737 MAX family. American’s selection of the 737-10 will provide even greater efficiency, commonality and flexibility for its global network and operations,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Our team here at Boeing is committed to delivering on this new order and supporting American’s strategic growth with one of the industry’s largest and most modern fleets.”
American will add more than 180 Boeing airplanes to its fleet in the next decade, with firm orders for over 150 737 MAXs and 25 787 Dreamliners.