As expected, Boeing announced the 737 MAX 10 at the Paris Air Show today. The aircraft will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane ever produced. Already, orders are being announced, and the aircraft is anticipated to appear as a part of a variety of fleets worldwide.
“Airlines wanted a larger, better option in the large single-aisle segment with the operating advantages of the 737 MAX family. Adding the 737 MAX 10 gives our customers the most flexibility in the market, providing their fleets the range capability, fuel efficiency and unsurpassed reliability that the 737 MAX family is widely known for,” said Kevin McAllister, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Overall, the MAX 10 provides a 5 percent lower seat-mile and trip cost (making it attractive to budget airlines and budget travelers alike). It will fit up to 230 passengers, and changes from other MAX models include an extra 66 inches of fuselage, modified wings and other tactical changes.
So, which airlines can you expect to boast the new aircraft?
So far, Boeing has announced commitments with 10+ customers, including Lion Air Group (50 craft for the Indonesian low-cost carrier), SpiceJet (20 craft), Tibet Financial Leasing, TUI Group, CDB Aviation, BOC Aviation and GECAS (otherwise known as GE Capital Aviation Services — yes, that GE — an Irish-American commercial aircraft leasing company). There are more than 240 promised aircraft across them all.
The 737 MAX continues to be Boeing’s fastest-selling airplane, and the MAX 10 is expected to take to the skies in about three years, following the MAX 9 and MAX 7. The MAX series as a whole offers expanded comfort and efficiency as far as single-aisle aircraft are concerned.
Want to try out the MAX series, which just recently entered commercial service?
The first 737 MAX 8 was delivered to Malindo Air, in Malaysia, in May. Southwest Airlines will take delivery this fall. A plethora of recognizable and easily bookable airlines plan to add at least one MAX series aircraft to their fleets — including Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air China, American Airlines, Air Europa, Alaska Airlines, China Southern, Icelandair, Norwegian, Southwest and United.
