Boeing Delivers First 737 MAX In 21 Months, Ryanair Orders Another 75

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Boeing’s fortunes with the 737 MAX might be slowly changing. United took delivery of a 737 MAX today, the first in 21 months. The short flight, first reported by the Seattle Times, repositioned the airplane from Boeing Field to Seattle-Tacoma, where it will undergo some modifications. United will not begin using any of its MAXes for revenue service until early next year. This makes for MAX number 15 in the United fleet, which is expected to add another 15 over the next year plus. 

“Nothing is more important to United than the safety of our customers and employees,” United said in a statement. “And as we begin receiving 737 MAX deliveries from Boeing, we will inspect every aircraft, require our pilots to undergo additional training reviewed and approved by the FAA, and conduct test flights before we bring these aircraft back into service.”

Meanwhile, last week low-cost carrier Ryanair placed an order for an additional 75 MAX-8 aircraft, bringing its total order book up to 210 units with a value of more than $22 billion. “The Boeing MAX is a fabulous aircraft with more seats, more leg room, lower fares, lower fuel consumption, and it sets incredible environmental standards, including 40% less noise and lower CO2 emissions,” said Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary. “We hope to take delivery of at least 50 of these aircraft in 2021, subject to Boeing recovering its manufacturing output to deliver them. For as long as the COVID-19 pandemic depresses air travel, we will use these new aircraft to replace some of our older Boeing NG fleet.” Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said, “Ryanair will continue to play a leading role in our industry when Europe recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and air traffic returns to growth across the continent. We are gratified that Ryanair is once again placing its confidence in the Boeing 737 family and building their future fleet with this enlarged firm order.”

Marc Cook
KITPLANES Editor in Chief Marc Cook has been in aviation journalism for more than 30 years. He is a 4000-hour instrument-rated, multi-engine pilot with experience in nearly 150 types. He’s completed two kit aircraft, an Aero Designs Pulsar XP and a Glasair Sportsman 2+2, and currently flies a 2002 GlaStar.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. KBFI to KSEA is a short enough flight to be funny, especially for an airliner. I wonder how many extra miles out of the way they had to fly just to get in line for KSEA. Alternatively, did they say, it’s a 5NM leg, let’s see how short we can make this flight? Come to think of it, there have probably been many flights on this route. Perhaps there are some good stories from it.

  2. Like you said, it probably happens a lot. I imagine the two control towers coordinate before BFI issues a takeoff clearance. Especially if winds are out of the south.

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