Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) and Nok Airlines Public Company Limited (Nok Air) (Bangkok) have finalized an order for eight Next-Generation 737-800s (above) and seven 737 MAX 8s. Nok Air also announced that it intends to convert one of the 737-800s into a 737 MAX at a later date.

The order, first announced as a commitment at the Singapore Air Show in February, is valued at $1.45 billion at list prices and will establish Nok Air as the first airline in Thailand to operate the 737 MAX. While Nok Air currently operates a fleet of 15 Next-Generation 737s, this marks the airline’s first direct order with Boeing.

The 737 MAX now has 2,017 orders from 40 customers. The 737 MAX brings the most advanced engine technologies to the world’s best-selling airplane, building on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see an 8 percent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow’s competition.

Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. A beautiful takeoff photo of Nok Air’s (Bird Air in Thai) Boeing 737-86J HS-DBK (msn 37774) departing from Phuket in southern Thailand.

Nok Air: