Tag Archives: 737 MAX 8

Boeing starts assembly of the first 737 MAX

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) has released this statement and photos:

Boeing employees in Renton, Washington, have started building the first 737 MAX on schedule. Last week, employees started to assemble the wings for the first 737 MAX flight test airplane. Wings are the first 737 components to be assembled in the Renton production process.

Machine operators loaded 737 MAX wing skin panels and stringers into the new panel assembly line that uses automation to drill holes and install fasteners in the upper and lower wing panels. Mechanics also loaded the initial parts of the first 737 MAX spars – internal support structures in wings – into automated spar assembly machines. The unfinished skins, stringers and spars were machined by Boeing Fabrication Skin and Spar in Auburn and Fredrickson, Wash. When finished, the panels and spars will be transformed into completed wings.

The wings will be attached to the first 737 MAX fuselage on the new Central line in Renton Final Assembly later this year. The new production line will allow the team to isolate the first 737 MAX build from the rest of production in order to learn and perfect the build process while the Renton factory continues to build at a rate of 42 airplanes a month.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Beginning in 2017, the new single-aisle airplane will deliver 20 percent lower fuel use than the first Next-Generation 737s and the lowest operating costs in its class – 8 percent per seat less than its nearest competitor. To date, the 737 MAX has 2,720 orders from 57 customers worldwide.

Image Above: Boeing.

Top Photo: Boeing. Machine operator Les Nystrom is loading 737 MAX wing skin panels and stringers into the new panel assembly line that uses automation to drill holes and install fasteners in the upper and lower wing panels. The skins and stringers were machined by Boeing Fabrication Skin and Spar in Auburn and Fredrickson, Washington.

Photo Below: Boeing. Operators (left to right, Bin Pham, Marty Deslauriers and Larry Freeman) load the initial parts of the first 737 MAX spars – internal support structures in wings– into an automated spar assembly machine. The unfinished spars were machined by Boeing Fabrication Skin and Spar in Auburn and Fredrickson, Washington.

Craig Larsen; 737Max; 1st Sparassembly; Renton Factory

Video: Production of the current Boeing 737 Next-Generation family of aircraft:

Southwest Airlines selects B/E Aerospace for its new seats

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has selected the customer seats for its future Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX aircraft deliveries. The carrier, in partnership with Boeing, will be the first to roll out the new seats, beginning mid-2016, on new deliveries of its Boeing 737-800. B/E Aerospace, who designed and engineered the seats, unveiled the new product today at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.

The airline continued:

In 2011, Southwest Airlines announced it would be the launch customer of Boeing’s new 737 MAX aircraft with the first delivery expected in 2017.

“The new aircraft seats are the widest economy seats available in the single-aisle 737 market, and offer a unique design that gives our Customers what they asked for: more space,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Serving as the launch customer for this seat is just one of several upcoming milestones related to our bold, new look launched in September of last year, and is specifically aimed at enhancing our Customer Experience.”

The newly-designed seats, which will be seen on new 737-800s beginning mid-2016 join other significant brand milestones, including cabin interior updates on Southwest’s 737-700s which will begin later this year, and continued 737-800 deliveries in the new Heart livery. The industry-leading seats are wider than current seats, and include an adjustable headrest and increased legroom, as well as more personal stowage, while decreasing the overall weight of the product.

“The new, lighter seat allows us to continue to improve our fuel efficiency,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This seat selection is just one more reason we are enthusiastic about our fleet modernization plans.”

The Company’s ongoing fleet modernization effort also includes the transition of AirTran’s Boeing 717-200 aircraft out of the fleet, the replacement of Boeing Classic aircraft with Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and the projected launch of the 737 MAX aircraft in 2017.

Image Above: Southwest Airlines. The new Boeing MAX 8.

When it enters service, the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft—a brand new aircraft—will offer improved fuel efficiency, along with significantly reduced emission levels, and will provide the lowest operating costs among single-aisle aircraft. The seats are the first element of the 737 MAX aircraft interior to be released by Boeing and Southwest to the public. The Southwest seat color—a variant of Southwest’s Bold Blue—has been chosen, and the seats will be upholstered with eLeather, a composition leather made of natural leather fibers. eLeather, which made its debut on Southwest aircraft in 2012, is manufactured using eco-friendly technology including state-of-the-art techniques which closed-loop recycles 95 percent of the processed water, and converts its own waste streams into energy feeding back into the process.

All images by Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines aircraft slide show:

Video: The new Southwest seat:

Copa Airlines orders 61 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 airliners

Copa Airlines (Panama City) has entered into a historic landmark order with Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) for 61 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 airliners (previously listed as unidentified). Boeing issued this statement and image:

Panama President Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez and U.S. President Barack Obama witnessed a historic agreement in which Copa Airlines and Boeing announced an order for 61 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 airplanes. The order, valued at $6.6 billion at list prices, is the largest commercial transaction ever between a Panamanian and a U.S.-based company.

The signing ceremony took place in Panama City as leaders from throughout the Western Hemisphere gathered for the seventh Summit of the Americas.

Presidents Varela and Obama were on hand as Copa Chairman Stanley Motta, Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron and Boeing Chairman and CEO Jim McNerney signed documents recognizing the agreement. The airplanes were previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries web site.

Copa Airlines will use the airplanes to replace existing airplanes and support the carrier’s plans for strategic growth. Copa will be the first airline in the region to operate the 737 MAX 9 on deep South American routes. The 737 MAX 9’s range and passenger comfort are ideally suited to Copa’s long-haul route network.

The 737 MAX also features the Boeing Sky Interior, which Copa helped launch in Latin America on its Next-Generation 737 fleet. The sleek interior boasts modern lines, a spacious cabin with more headroom and LED lighting that offers vibrant color options.

To date, the 737 MAX has accumulated 2,715 orders from 57 customers around the world.

Image: Boeing.

Copa Airlines aircraft slide show:

Randy Tinseth of Boeing counters Airbus’ claim the A321neo is a Boeing 757 replacement

Randy Tinseth, the vice president of marketing for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle responded to claims airline customers are still waiting for a true Boeing 757 replacement. Randy also countered Airbus’ claims the proposed A321neo is a 757 replacement.

Randy wrote the following on his Randy’s Journal:

There’s been a lot of talk lately about a replacement for the 757. The fact is, today’s 737 and other airplanes its size already fly 90 percent of flights that used to be operated with a 757. And in the future, that number will jump to 95 percent thanks to airplanes like the 737 MAX.

For example, take Norwegian. They recently announced plans to use the 737 MAX 8 on transatlantic routes beginning in 2017. Other large 757 operators have publicly noted their continued discussions with Boeing around airplanes for trans-Atlantic missions.

Meanwhile, Airbus claims its proposed long ranger version of the A321neo is a true 757 replacement. In reality, it falls short in two big ways. It can’t match the 757’s range, and it can’t carry as many passengers.

The 737 MAX 9 and the A321neoLR are both capable of North Atlantic range by adding auxiliary tanks, with the 737 MAX 9 flying the mission more efficiently. The A321neoLR needs three auxiliary tanks and increased takeoff weight— while the 737 MAX 9 could do the mission with just one auxiliary tank, allowing for more cargo space.

The 737 MAX is a great airplane that’s sized right for the heart of the single-aisle market— along with the right range capabilities. It’s a key part of our overall product development strategy, that along with the 777X and 787-10, is set for the next decade.

As for that space in between the upper end of the 737 and the 787-8, we continue to talk with our customers to better understand their needs in the future.

Image: Boeing. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9.

Sunwing Airlines to lease four Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from ALC

Air Lease Corporation (Los Angeles) has issued this statement:

Air Lease Corporation has announced long term lease agreements with Sunwing Airlines (Toronto) covering two new Boeing 737-800 aircraft and four new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. These aircraft, all from ALC’s order book, are scheduled to deliver over a four year period commencing in 2016.

President of Sunwing Airlines, Mark Williams, commented, “The acquisition of our new Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft is an integral part of our overall expansion plan across an increasing number of both Canadian and U.S. gateways. This year we will be operating flights out of 45 Canadian and U.S. local airports to over 40 different destinations across North and South America, and the Caribbean. As we continue to grow, having aircraft that will enable us to offer a reliable, cost-effective and environmentally-conscious service is paramount. So we are delighted to be able to include the new 737 MAX 8 in our fleet for the first time.”

Sunwing Airlines aircraft slide show:

SMBC Aviation Capital orders 80 Boeing 737 MAX 8s

Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) and SMBC Aviation Capital (Dublin) have announced an order for 80 737 MAX 8s, valued at more than $8.5 billion at list prices. This is the largest single order for 737 MAXs from a leasing company and will help SMBC Aviation Capital grow its portfolio of high-demand, fuel-efficient airplanes.

With this agreement SMBC Aviation Capital becomes the 50th 737 MAX customer and grows the program’s order book to more than 2,400 airplanes.

“It is 10 years since our business placed its first order with Boeing and we have enjoyed a decade of successful partnership since then,” said Peter Barrett, CEO, SMBC Aviation Capital. “The 737 MAX 8 is one of the most fuel efficient and versatile aircraft available and today’s announcement shows our ongoing commitment to the new generation of the popular 737 family, as well as our appetite to keep broadening and deepening our platform in order to service our customers’ requirements. Following this order and given the clear commitment of our shareholders and the strength of the global aircraft leasing sector, we remain very confident in our ability to continue to deliver long-term growth.”

SMBC Aviation Capital is the world’s third largest aircraft lessor, with a modern fleet of over 370 owned and managed aircraft valued at more than $10.5 billion. The business’s strategy is to own and lease liquid, investor-friendly aircraft assets with continuous trading through the industry cycle to maximise profitability and manage risk. The business has sold more than 240 commercial aircraft valued at over $7.5 billion.

SMBC Aviation Capital has 95 airline customers and over 40 investors in more than 40 countries around the world. It is headquartered in Dublin and has offices in, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Amsterdam, Toulouse and Seattle.

SMBC Aviation Capital has 180 Boeing airplanes in its portfolio and has 95 airline customers in more than 40 countries.

ImageS: Boeing.

Monarch Airlines finalizes its deal with Boeing for 30 737 MAX 8s + 15 options

Monarch Airlines (London-Luton) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) today finalized an order for 30 737 MAX 8s worth more than $3.2 billion at current list prices. The order, originally announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July when Monarch selected Boeing as its preferred bidder for fleet replacement, includes options for 15 additional 737 MAX 8s and marks the beginning of the British carrier’s transition to an all-Boeing single-aisle fleet.

The 737 MAX has accumulated 2,325 orders to date from 48 customers and is the fastest selling airplane in Boeing history.

Headquartered at London Luton Airport, but also operating from five other U.K. bases – London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands and Leeds-Bradford – Monarch predominantly serves holiday destinations around the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands as well as European ski resorts. Founded in 1968, the British carrier will move to a cost effective and uniform fleet of 737 MAX 8s within the next decade.

As previously reported, on October 24, Monarch Airlines and other parts of Monarch Holdings Limited, the UK’s leading independent leisure travel group, completed a restructuring program and sale of 90 percent of the group to Greybull Capital LLP under which it secured £125 million of permanent capital and liquidity facilities.

Image: Boeing.

Monarch Airlines:

Garuda Indonesia orders 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s

Garuda Indonesia (Jakarta) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) announced an order for 50 737 MAX 8s, valued at $4.9 billion at current list prices. The flag carrier of Indonesia will purchase 46 737 MAX 8s and will convert existing orders for four Next-Generation 737-800s to 737 MAX 8s. The order was previously accounted for on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries Web site, attributed to an unidentified customer.

Garuda Indonesia currently operates 77 Boeing 737s. The new order gives the airline the flexibility to grow and to update its fleet as the market demands.

According to Boeing, “The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX will be 14 percent more fuel-efficient than today’s most efficient Next-Generation 737s – and 20 percent better than the original Next-Generation 737s when they first entered service. The 737 MAX 8 will have an 8 percent per seat operating cost advantage over the A320neo.”

The total number of 737 MAX orders to date is 2,295 airplanes from 47 customers worldwide.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Garuda Indonesia has been a long time Boeing 737 operator. Garuda Indonesia’s Boeing 737-8U3 WL PK-GMA (msn 30151) prepares to taxi from the gate at Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.

Garuda Indonesia Aircraft Slide Show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-2/Airlines-Asia2-FP/Garuda-Indonesia-Airways

Garuda Indonesia:

Ethiopian Airlines orders 20 Boeing 737 MAX 8s

Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) have announced an order for 20 737 MAX 8s. The order, previously unidentified on the Boeing Orders and Deliveries website, is worth more than $2.1 billion at list prices and also includes options and purchase rights for a further 15 737 MAX 8s. The order represents the largest single Boeing order by number of airplanes from an African carrier.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX will be 14 percent more fuel-efficient than today’s most efficient Next-Generation 737s – and 20 percent better than the original Next-Generation 737s when they first entered service. The 737 MAX has a total of 2,294 orders from 47 customers worldwide.

Ethiopian currently serves more than 83 destinations across five continents from its base at Bole International Airport in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian flag carrier’s partnership with Boeing has existed for more than half a century, with a current fleet of more than 50 Boeing airplanes that includes Next-Generation 737s, 757s, 767s, 777s, 787 Dreamliners and a cargo fleet of 757s, 777 Freighters and MD-11s.

Image: Boeing.

Ethiopian Airlines:

Hainan Airlines commits to order 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s

Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) and Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) today announced that the two companies are finalizing terms and working toward a purchase agreement for 50 737 MAX 8s, reaffirming the Chinese airline’s preference for an all-Boeing single-aisle fleet.

The commitment, valued at more than $5.1 billion at current list prices, will be subject to the approval of the Chinese government and will be posted on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website once all contingencies are cleared.

The 737 MAX has surpassed 2,100 orders from 42 customers worldwide and is the fastest selling airplane in Boeing history. 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.

Image: Boeing.

Hainan Airlines: