Southwest Airlines and Boeing announced on Wednesday the launch of the 737 MAX 7, as the airline converted 30 737 NG orders into 737 MAX orders. Southwest also exercised options to add five more Next-Generation 737-800s to its fleet.
The 737 MAX, which is the next generation of Boeing’s extremely popular narrowbody aircraft, is expected to enter into service in 2017. Southwest, as launch customer of the 737 MAX 7, plans to start taking delivery beginning in 2019.
“We are thrilled to announce that Southwest Airlines and Boeing have entered into an agreement for Southwest to be the launch customer for the Boeing MAX 7 series, with deliveries beginning in 2019,” said Gary C. Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO. “The 737 MAX 7 builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737-700, incorporating the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines is expected to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 12 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane.”
Southwest currently has unfilled orders of 180 737 MAX airplanes and 137 Next-Generation 737s. The 737 MAX now has 1,315 total orders.
