As the Boeing 737 MAX programme continues to evolve, Thai Lion Air because the first customer to receive their 737 MAX 9 aircraft.
Thai Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 9 – Image, The Boeing Company
The Boeing 737 MAX 9 joins the Thai Lion Air (and Lion Air Group fleet), where it is planned the type is to be used to add capacity and launch new routes.
On the launch ,Capt. Darsito Hendro Seputro, CEO and Chairman of Thai Lion Air states:
“The 737 MAX 9 is a perfect fit for our growing business in Thailand,”
“The 737 has been the backbone of our business since we began and we will use the added capacity the airplane provides to expand our network and start additional routes to Bangladesh, China and India.”
For Lion Air Group, it’s a case of two types – two launches, with the group being the launch operator of the Boeing 737 MAX 8. The group also has orders for up to 50 MAX 10’s, and 200 737 MAX aircraft on order – which makes them one the largest operators of the Boeing 737.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Kevin McAllister is happy with the first plane being delivered – stating:
“The Lion Air Group is the perfect example of how the 737 MAX family provides a common fleet solution across the single-aisle spectrum,”
“Not only will Lion Air Group benefit from the MAX’s range and capacity, they will enjoy the best economics and reliability in the industry.”
For those looking to seating numbers – this plane can hold up to 220 passengers, with a range of 3550 nautical miles. In real terms, the Boeing 737 MAX 9 offers three more rows of passengers – or 18 extra seats.
Whilst not the largest growth – for some markets it works.
With United and other airlines looking at the MAX 9, and in some cases – skipping over to the MAX 10, there will be plenty of these in the skies for some time to come…
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