Icelandair Receives First Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft Delivery
Icelandair, with a history that dates back 80 years in Iceland, ordered 16 aircraft from Boeing’s single-aisle 737 MAX family back in 2013. In early March 2018, the airline received the first of those deliveries, which come at a time when Icelandair is focused on expanding and renewing its fleet. That includes enhancing its trans-Atlantic operations and expanding its “ever-growing network of international routes,” according to Icelandair, enabled by its geographical location midway between North America and Europe. Boeing, meanwhile, hails the 737 MAX as the company’s fast-selling airplane having received 4,300-plus orders from 93 customers globally.
A Trans-Atlantic Complement
Part of Icelandair Group, Icelandair’s fleet already included Boeing 757 and 767 jets serving North American and European destinations. Björgólfur Jóhannsson, Icelandair president and CEO, says the 737 MAX the company received will bolster the flexibility and growth-capacity of its network via “added frequencies and new destinations."
Among the 737 MAX aircraft Icelandair ordered were MAX 8 and MAX 9 jets. Boeing touts both as offering airlines stellar performance with lower seat-mile costs. Additionally, Boeing says the range of both aircraft (up to 3,515 nautical miles, 6,510 kilometers) enables airlines to open new routes profitably. The MAX 8, which entered service in 2017 seating up to 210 passengers, has reportedly already transported 1.8 million-plus passengers.
The MAX 9, which seats up to 220 passengers extends the MAX 8’s length of 129.6 feet (39.5 meters) to 138.3 feet long (42.2 meters), recently received its amended type certificate from the FAA in mid-February after wrapping up a flight test program that began in April 2017. Boeing is reportedly in the final stages of preparing the first MAX 9 delivery to launch partner Lion Air Group, an Indonesian airline.
To The MAX
Outfitted with CFM International LEAP-1B engines, the 737 MAX family integrates such design updates as Boeing's Advanced Technology winglet, which Boeing states translates to less drag and optimized performance, particularly on longer-range missions. Combined, the updates will cut fuel usage and CO2 emissions by up to 14% vs. current Next-Generation 737s and 20% over the single-aisle airplanes they are designed to replace, Boeing states.
Besides the MAX 8 and MAX 9, the 737 MAX family includes the upcoming MAX 7 and MAX 10. The latter recently entered the detailed design phase is expected for 2020 delivery. Boeing has received more than 415 orders from 18 customers for the MAX 10, which seats up to 230 passengers. At 143.6 feet (43.8 meters) long, the MAX 10 is a 66-inch (168-centimeter) stretch of the fuselage vs. the MAX 9. Numerous Boeing jets are for sale at Controller.com, including 737s, 777s, 757s, 747s, 727s, and Boeing BBJs.
Source: Boeing