Southwest Airlines bestiller 100 urolige Boeing 737 MAX-jetfly

• Deal raises Southwest’s 737 MAX commitment to more than 600 jets between the 737-7 and larger 737-8
• Southwest aims to modernize future fleet with improved fuel efficiency, environmental performance and operational flexibility
• Order brings stability to Boeing’s largest commercial program and its suppliers

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Boeing and Southwest Airlines today announced the carrier will continue to build its business around the 737 MAX family with a new order for 100 airplanes and 155 options across two models. The deal comes after a multi-year fleet evaluation by Southwest and means that Boeing and its suppliers could build more than 600 new 737 MAX jets for the airline through 2031.

Southwest Airlines had been exploring options to modernize the largest component of its fleet: the 737-700 that serves the airline’s needs for a 140-150 seat airplane. With the new agreement, the airline reaffirmed the 737-7 as its preferred replacement and growth airplane. The jet will complement the 737-8, which serves Southwest’s needs for a 175-seat model. Both 737 MAX family members will reduce fuel use and carbon emissions by at least 14% compared to the airplanes they replace, helping to improve operating costs and environmental performance. Southwest said the solution allows it to maintain the operational efficiencies of an all-Boeing 737 fleet to support its low-cost, point-to-point route network.

"Southwest Airlines har operert Boeing 737-serien i nesten 50 år, og flyet har gitt betydelige bidrag til vår enestående suksess. Dagens forpliktelse til 737 MAX styrker vår fortsatte takknemlighet for flyet og bekrefter planene våre om å tilby Boeing 737-serien med fly til våre ansatte og kunder i årene som kommer, sier Gary Kelly, Southwests styreleder og administrerende direktør. "Vi er stolte av å fortsette vår tradisjon med å være verdens største operatør av en Boeing-flåte."

"I tillegg til å støtte våre anstrengelser for å operere bærekraftig og effektivt, tilbyr 737 MAX reisekomfort for ansatte og kunder som en roligere kabin, større søppelplasser, sitteplasser med justerbare nakkestøtter og mer bysseplass for service ombord," sa Mike Van. de Ven, Southwests driftssjef.

Den nye kjøpsavtalen tar Southwests ordrebok til 200 737-7 og 180 737-8, mer enn 30 av disse er allerede levert. Southwest vil også ha 270 alternativer for en av de to modellene, og tar flyselskapets direkte-kjøp-forpliktelse til mer enn 600 fly. Flyselskapet planlegger også ytterligere 737 MAX-jetfly gjennom tredjeparts utleiere.

“Southwest Airlines has long been a leader and bellwether for the airline industry and this order is a big vote of confidence for commercial air travel. As vaccine distribution continues to pick-up, people are returning to the skies and fueling hopes for a full recovery and renewed growth across our industry,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are deeply honored by Southwest’s continuing trust in Boeing and the 737. Their fleet decision today brings more stability for our biggest commercial program and will ensure that our entire 737 family will be building new airplanes for Southwest for years to come.”

As part of the agreement, Southwest will also expand its use of Boeing’s digital solutions to support its 737 MAX fleet, including Airplane Health Management, Maintenance Performance Toolbox and digital navigation charting tools. Boeing will also provide system software upgrades and new wireless communications-enabling equipment to support Southwest’s operations.