Comair of South Africa took delivery of their first Boeing 737 MAX 8 – in British Airways colours.
Comair British Airways Boeing 737 MAX 8 – Image, The Boeing Company
Comair is a British Airways franchisee that operates services out of OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg, They will be taking delivery of eight Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in total – some will fly in British Airways colours, whilst others will fly in kulula.com low-cost carrier brand.
The seating configuration of the plane has not been announced at the time of writing.
The airline currently has seven Boeing 737-400s and ten Boeing 737-800s in its fleet – with the MAX 8 being a natural replacement for the older classic jets. It will also be the first carrier in sub-Sahara Africa region to operate the type.
In quotes
On the handover Wrenelle Stander, Executive Director, Comair’s Airline Division said
“The arrival of the MAX 8 aircraft is a continuation of our fleet renewal programme and builds on the most modern and efficient fleet in South Africa,”
“It is the first of these aircraft to operate in Southern Africa. These newer aircraft, which showcase state-of-the-art technology, will improve our customer experience, enable us to hedge against fuel price volatility and enhance our operating efficiency.”
Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing said
“We are delighted to welcome Comair to our growing MAX family. The airline will be able to significantly lower its operating costs, fly farther and provide their customers with a better flying experience,”
“From the Classic 737 to the Next-Generation 737 and now to the 737 MAX, we are honored to build on our partnership with Comair and support their success in the years ahead.”
The only time you’ll see a Boeing 737 in British Airways colours
British Airways used to run Boeing 737 Classics out of Heathrow and Gatwick, before switching over to an all-Airbus narrow-body short-haul operation.
Comair – on the other hand – has gone down the line of sticking of what works best for the airline – with them sticking with Boeing short-haul aircraft. As such, the airline will use these with British Airways franchise flights (offering domestic operation in South Africa), as well as some assigned to Kulula.
Something different to look out for on your long haul adventures.
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