OREANDA-NEWS.   Boeing [NYSE: BA] celebrated a milestone achievement today on the 737 MAX program, surpassing the 2000th order for the super-efficient single-aisle airplane. With the addition of 30 orders from unidentified customers this week, the 737 MAX now has a total of 2,010 orders from 39 customers worldwide, valued at USD 209 billion at list prices. The 737 MAX also has commitments for more than 250 additional airplanes.
The 737 MAX has reached 2,000 orders faster than any other Boeing airplane in history. This unprecedented demand is fueled by air traffic growth and the need for more fuel-efficient airplanes.
"Two thousand orders at this stage in the program is a remarkable achievement," said Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager, 737 MAX Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Since its first order, the 737 MAX has received more than 50 percent of the new orders versus its direct competition, proving the value this airplane offers to our customers."
A broad base of elite customers has opted for the 737 MAX's superior fuel efficiency, operating economics and advanced interior design for their single-aisle fleets.
"The 737 MAX provides the best-in class combination of fuel-efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort that our airline clients need to compete in the future," said Steven Udvar-Hazy, chairman and CEO, Air Lease Corporation.
"We have a lot of faith in Boeing and the 737 MAX, especially since this will be the narrowbody aircraft of the future for United Airlines," said United Airlines Vice President of Fleet Ron Baur.
"The 737 MAX will help us lead the way with a modern and safe fleet and help us sustain our competitive advantage," said Paulo Kakinoff, CEO, GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. "It will give our airline great fuel efficiency and low costs, and will give our passengers a fantastic experience."
"The 737 MAX offers our customers a new engine and more," said Leverkuhn. "In addition to the latest technology LEAP-1B engines from CFM International, the MAX combines advanced aerodynamics including the Advanced Technology winglets, 787-style large screen flight deck displays and the passenger preferred Boeing Sky Interior to give customers an airplane that will enhance their fleets for decades to come."
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 is more fuel efficient than the A320 today and will be more fuel efficient than the A320neo tomorrow. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see an 8 percent operating cost per seat advantage over the A320neo.
On track to begin final assembly in mid-2015, the 737 MAX will fly in 2016 and deliver to launch customer Southwest Airlines in the third quarter of 2017.