Southwest Airlines becomes 737 MAX 7 launch customer

(Photo Boeing)

Southwest Airlines has converted 30 existing Boeing 737NG firm orders to 30 firm orders for the 737 MAX 7, becoming the launch customer for the MAX 7, the smallest version of the re-engined Boeing narrowbody family.
                                                                      
Southwest will take delivery of the 30 MAX 7 aircraft from 2019 through 2021; it had been planning to take delivery of the 737NGs in 2017 and 2018. The MAX 7 is 33.6 m (110 ft. 4 in.) in length and is designed to seat about 126 passengers. The 39.5 m 737 MAX 8 is designed to seat around 162 passengers while the 42.1 m MAX 9 is designed to seat about 180 passengers.

Southwest was the first airline to place a firm order for the 737 MAX when it ordered 150 in 2011. The Dallas-based low-cost carrier now has 180 737 MAX aircraft and 137 737NGs on firm order, which includes five 737-800 options turned into firm orders.

In addition, five Southwest 737-700 firm orders have been converted to 737-800s for delivery in 2014. Ten options to purchase 737NGs in 2014 and 2015 were relinquished, Southwest said.

Also, Southwest agreed to purchase 10 pre-owned 737-700s for delivery in 2014 and 2015, and 12 Southwest 737NG options in 2014 and 2015 and 29 737NG options in 2017 and 2018 were converted to 737 MAX options and deferred beyond 2024, according to the airline.

Southwest chairman, president and CEO Gary Kelly said in a statement that the “737 MAX 7 builds on the strengths of today’s next-generation 737-700, incorporating the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, and is expected to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 12% over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane.”

(Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)