737 MAX 200

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has finalised an $11bn order with Boeing for 100 737 MAX 200s, with an option to buy an additional 100 aircraft.

Announced as a commitment in September, the order makes Ryanair the launch customer for the 737 MAX 8-based variant.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said: "Ryanair is proud and honoured to become the lead operator of Boeing’s ‘gamechanger’ 737 MAX 200 aircraft, which will expand our fleet to approximately 520 aircraft by 2024 and create another 10,000 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers in Europe, while allowing us to grow traffic from 82 million passengers last year to over 150 million by 2024."

The 737 MAX 200 has been designed to accommodate up to 200 passengers and offer 20% in fuel efficiency per seat, compared with other single-aisle aircraft.

"The 737 MAX 200 has been designed to accommodate up to 200 passengers and offer 20% in fuel efficiency per seat,compared with other single-aisle aircraft."

Compared with the 737 MAX 8, the 737 MAX 200 will provide carriers with up to 11% more seats of potential revenue and up to 5% lower operating costs, Boeing said.

The aircraft will be equipped with Boeing Sky Interior, LED lighting and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes European Sales vice-president Todd Nelp said: "The 737 MAX 200 will be an excellent addition to Ryanair’s all-Boeing fleet, providing the additional capacity, improved economics and high-levels of reliability that are required for its continued expansion."

Powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines, the 737 MAX features advanced technology winglets and other improvements which together offer good passenger comfort in the single-aisle market, the company said.

Boeing has received 2,550 orders for 737 MAXs from 50 customers worldwide to date.


Image: The order makes Ryanair the launch customer for the 737 MAX 200 variant. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.

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