British Airways parent International Airlines Group (IAG) has finally confirmed an order for 50 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, 3 years after showing interest in the airliner.
The order consists of 25 Max 200s (currently used only by Ryanair) and 25 Max 10s (after certification).
Industry sources have suggested that Boeing has put together a favourable package for IAG in order to boost its order books after a dark period for the US airframer.
IAG said they had negotiated a substantial discount off the list prices.
The first aircraft will be delivered in 2023 and the order includes options for 100 more aircraft for delivery between 2025-2028.
Boeing has been in turmoil recently with the 737 Max requiring re-certification following two fatal crashes and delays plaguing its 787 and 777X deliveries.
Luis Gallego, IAG´s chief executive, said: “The addition of new Boeing 737s is an important part of IAG´s short-haul fleet renewal. These latest-generation aircraft are more fuel-efficient than those they will replace and in line with our commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Whilst the destination airliners haven’t been announced for the order, Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling is likely to be one recipient of the Max 200 variant.
It is unlikely that any will enter the British Airways fleet which operates an all-Airbus fleet for its short-haul operations.
Well at least IAG will see if anymore dive into the desert before they actually fly one,
I still want to see 3years operational successs before I will book any airline that runs the MAX 10. whatever boeing I am scheduled to fly on.
Delighted to see BA will keep Airbus on european routes, as they are the ones I use the most on short haul.
It is still a bastardisation of a 40 yo aircraft, not for me.
Another Brian here who will not fly 737Max.
IAG are putting profit before passenger safety, in my view.
Why they need to start running short haul boeings is a mystery, the comlexity of running an even more mixed fleet, and everyone has confidence in the current excellent airbus aircraft.
As ever the problem will be extra checking to see what aircraft will be on which route, and how they will deal with substituting this plane at the last minute.
In my view BA has the best cabin crew and ground handling experience (OK after last summer). The difference a good crew makes to the flying experience is important.
I have recently flown first from LHR to Miami on an A380, the plane is old and years behind the leaders in passenger comfort, but the crew were excellent and made up for this planes short comings. The plane still has the horrible business class seats, and
Ba would do well to maintain its experienced crews, and get the others up to their standard . The B777 back from Philedelphia was a bit better, but not the new configuration for business class, I understood that they would be operating from September but again the crew were exemplemary.
It’s like hotels, they have similar locations/ standards / rates but succeed on their
staffs excellence, or not.
I would urge BA to make this a training requirement. It is not difficult or there would be no good crews.