Southwest Airlines to Be Boeing 737 Max 7 Launch Customer

A Boeing 737 Max 7 in Southwest livery

Boeing announced its first order for the Boeing 737 Max 7 from launch customer Southwest Airlines.  The airline converted 30 existing orders for 737 Next-Generation aircraft into 737 Max 7 orders.

The airline also has options for five additional 738-800 Next-Generation aircraft.  Along with the 737 Max 7s, the aircraft are part of Southwest’s efforts to improve fuel efficiency and profitability.

The Boeing 737 Max is 110 feet (33 meters) long, with CFM International LEAP-1B engines.  The aircraft has an increased range of approximately 400 nautical miles (741 kilometers) over the 737-700.

Southwest Airlines is expected to take delivery of its first 737 Max 7 in 2019.  It is the world’s largest operator of Boeing 737 aircraft, and has 570 737 aircraft in its fleet.