– Order includes options for four additional 737 MAX airplanes

Brisbane, Australia | July 6, 2012/PRNewswire/– Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Virgin Australia today finalized a firm order for 23 fuel-efficient 737 MAX airplanes with options for four additional 737 MAX airplanes.

With this order, Virgin Australia becomes the first Australian airline to finalize an order for the new 737 MAX, while adding to their existing fleet of 68 Next-Generation 737 airplanes.

“Boeing shares a longstanding relationship with Virgin Australia and we are honored to partner with Virgin once again as the country’s first customer for the new 737 MAX,” said Brad McMullen, Vice President of Japan & Oceania Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 737 MAX will provide passengers with unrivaled comfort as well as tremendous economics and reliability to Virgin Australia’s growing operations,” McMullen said.

The 737 MAX will deliver the big savings in fuel that airlines want. Powered by the CFM International LEAP-1B engines, it reduces fuel use by an additional 13 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes. The 737 MAX’s more efficient structural design, less engine thrust and less required maintenance also add up to substantial cost advantages for customers. The 737 MAX 8 will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment, with an eight percent per-seat advantage over its competitor.

Virgin Australia established its operations in Australia with two Boeing 737 airplanes in August 2000. The airline operates a mix of 73 narrow and wide body Boeing airplanes.

Ailerons for all Boeing 737 airplanes are manufactured in Australia by Boeing Aerostructures Australia.

– Next-Generation 737-800 first of 12 on order
– Japan Airlines to operate the airplane

Seattle, WA | June 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/– Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Avolon celebrated today the first direct-order airplane delivery to the Dublin-based leasing company. Avolon took delivery of the first of 12 Next-Generation 737-800s ordered in December 2009.

The airplane will be operated by Avolon’s airline customer, Japan Airlines.

“We are pleased to take delivery of the first of twelve new Next-Generation 737-800s from Boeing,” said John Higgins, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Avolon. “Key to delivering enhanced profitability for our lessees is selecting high-performance aircraft with superior fuel economy. Having a forward delivery stream of new aircraft, coupled with our industry leading sale and leaseback and other aircraft financing capabilities, provides our customers with a fully-rounded service offering.”

The 737-800 is the best-selling version of the successful Next-Generation 737 family. Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the 737-800 is selected by leading carriers throughout the world because it provides operators the flexibility to serve a wide range of markets. The singe-aisle jetliner, which can seat 162 passengers in dual class and up to 189 passengers, can fly 285 nautical miles (530 kilometers) farther and consume seven percent less fuel while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model.

“We have been looking forward to delivering this airplane to Avolon, a lessor led by a team of highly experienced industry professionals,” said Bill Collins, vice president of Leasing Sales for Commercial Airplanes. “With this Next-Generation 737 and those on order, Avolon has a strong foundation for successful growth.”
Avolon has 11 more Next-Generation 737-800s remaining on order.