Boeing and Southwest Airlines have announced a firm order for 150 fuel-efficient 737 Max airplanes. The airline has also ordered 58 next-generation 7737s.

It is the first customer to finalise an order for the 737 Max and the launch customer for the new-engine variant, the Dallas-based carrier said.

The firm order is the largest in Boeing history both in dollar value, nearly $19 billion at list prices, and the number of airplanes. It supports Southwest’s initiative to modernise its all-Boeing fleet, the world’s largest fleet of 737s.

As the 737 Max launch customer, Southwest will take delivery of the first airplane when it enters service in 2017, the statement said.

Jim Albaugh, Boeing commercial airplanes, president and CEO, said: “Throughout our 40-year relationship, our two companies have collaborated to launch the 737-300, 737-500 and the next-generation 737-700, affirming the 737 as the world’s preferred single-aisle airplane.”

The 737 Max is the new-engine variant of the world's best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737.

The new-engine variant, powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines, reduces fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 10 to 12 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane. It will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with a 7 percent advantage over tomorrow’s competition.

With the Southwest order, the 737 Max has orders and commitments for more than 900 airplanes from 13 customers, while the next-generation 737 family has won orders for more than 6,600 airplanes and Boeing has delivered more than 3,800, it said. – TradeArabia News Service