OREANDA-NEWS. Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Garuda Indonesia announced today the airline's intent to purchase 30 787-9 Dreamliners, as well as up to 30 737 MAX 8 airplanes. Boeing will work with Garuda Indonesia to finalize the order, at which time it will be posted to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website.  

"The agreement is part of Garuda Indonesia's revitalization program in order to provide our passengers with the best possible experience with the youngest fleet in the sky and to support the airline's future plan to further expand its network globally. The 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX are extraordinary airplanes with exceptional economics that will keep us competitive and bring a new level of service excellence for our customers," said Arif Wibowo, Garuda Indonesia, President and CEO.

In addition to the announcement today, the flag carrier also reconfirmed its intent to purchase 50 737 MAX 8s, originally announced in October 2014. The airline currently operates more than 90 Boeing airplanes, including Next-Generation versions of the 737, 777-300ERs and 747-400s.

"Boeing and Garuda have been partners in aviation for more than 35 years and we are honored to work together again as they expand and continue to renew their fleet," said Ray Conner, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 787-9 and 737 MAX will be a great complement to Garuda's current Boeing airplanes, providing them with additional capability and superior economics and their customers with an exceptional flying experience." 

The 787-9 leverages the passenger-pleasing design of the 787 family, with features such as the industry's largest windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride. With the fuselage stretched by 6 meters (20 feet) over the 787-8, the 787-9 can fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 830 kilometers (450 nautical miles) with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace.

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. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see an 8 percent per seat operating cost advantage over the A320neo.

Garuda Indonesia seamlessly connects 76 destinations worldwide to not only one of the largest economies in Southeast Asia, but also an array of exotic locations in the beautiful archipelago of Indonesia all at once. With close to 600 daily flights and a fleet of 169 aircraft with the average age of less than five years old, Garuda Indonesia proudly serves its passengers with the award-winning "Garuda Indonesia Experience" service, which highlights Indonesia's warm hospitality and rich diverse culture.

The airline continuously strives, through its ongoing transformation program, to provide better and more convenient services with one of the youngest fleets in the sky, which should grow to around 185 aircraft by 2015. The progress of Garuda Indonesia's transformation program can be seen from achieving a Skytrax's 5-star airline rating, ranked as the 7th best airline in the world in the 2014, as well as winning the prestigious "The World's Best Cabin Crew" award in 2014 and "The World's Best Economy Class" award in 2013, also from Skytrax. Garuda Indonesia is a member of SkyTeam, the global airline alliance with 20 members, providing access to an extensive global network with over 16,320 daily flights to 1,052 destinations in 177 countries.