Boeing, flydubai announce historic single-aisle agreement

By BA Staff

Boeing and flydubai announced a commitment for up to 100 737 MAX 8 airplanes and 11 Next-Generation 737-800s at the Dubai Airshow.

The commitment from the airline of the emirate of Dubai, valued at $11.4 billion at list prices (including orders and purchase rights), is the largest ever Boeing single-aisle airplane purchase in the Middle East. flydubai operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai said:

"flydubai is pleased to continue its partnership with Boeing. We believe that the commitment for up to 111 Boeing 737 aircraft will give flydubai one of the best performing aircraft available in the single-aisle market. This will ensure that flydubai is well positioned to continue to set new standards in aviation and support the further economic development of the United Arab Emirates."

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner said:

"We are extremely proud of the confidence that flydubai continues to place in our products operating an all-Boeing fleet. We look forward to continue strengthening our partnership and seeing the Next-Generation 737-800 and subsequently the 737 MAX play a central role in flydubai's rapid expansion plans."

flydubai placed its first order for 50 Next-Generation 737-800s in 2008. The airline took delivery of its first airplane in 2009 and was the first airline in the world to debut the Boeing Sky Interior. To date, flydubai has taken delivery of 33 Next-Generation 737-800s. In the past two years, flydubai has more than doubled the number of destinations it flies to and has around 1,200 weekly flights. flydubai carried 5.1 million passengers in 2012 and has become the second largest carrier, by passenger numbers, operating out of Dubai International, after big brother and fellow group company Emirates airline.

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Boeing Delivers EL AL Israel Airlines' First Next-Generation 737-900ER

By BA Staff

Boeing has delivered to El Al Israel Airlines the carrier's first Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplane.

The delivery is the first of six 737-900ERs the Israeli flag-carrier has on order and is the latest addition to El Al's all-Boeing fleet.  

Elyezer Shkedy, president and chief executive officer, El Al, said:

"The purchase of the Boeing 737-900ER aircraft marks the high point of El Al's re-equipping and fleet renewal impetus. This positions El Al at the forefront of international aviation technology, further elevating El Al's in-flight experience. Our investment in the new modern Economy Class seats and in a sophisticated entertainment system, that will be launched in the coming months, is in line with the target we set for ourselves - to provide the best product and most advanced service for passengers and thus retain El Al's status as the most preferred airline for flights to and from Israel. We would like to thank Boeing and all the other partners for their outstanding work on El Al's six new aircraft."

The Boeing 737-900ER is the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family. It has the highest capacity and lowest seat-mile cost of Boeing's single-aisle family and will fit perfectly into El Al's existing short and medium-haul fleet of Next-Generation 737-700s and 737-800s. El Al's latest addition to its fleet will seat 172 passengers, with all passengers able to enjoy the option of power sockets for their laptops and USB connections. The Israeli-flag carrier operates an all-Boeing fleet of nearly 40 airplanes including Next-Generation 737s, 747-400s, 767s and 777s and serves 30 destinations worldwide.   

El Al's 737-900ER will be its first airplane to feature the new Boeing Sky Interior. This interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. It introduces new LED lighting and curved architecture that welcomes passengers onboard and creates a greater sense of spaciousness and comfort in the cabin. The interior also features modern, sculpted sidewalls and overhead bins that disappear into the ceiling, yet carry more bags.
  
Todd Nelp, vice president of Sales for Europe, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said:

 Europe, while offering its passengers the superior passenger comfort of the Boeing Sky Interior. We share a proud history with El Al, and are honored to once again play a significant role in this all-Boeing carrier's fleet renewal. El Al has already experienced the excellent reliability and operating economics of the Next-Generation 737 family with its fleet of 737-700s and 737-800s. The 737-900ER will enable El Al to greatly expand its operations across.

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Alaska Airlines orders five additional Boeing 737-900ERs

by Devesh Agarwal

Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) and Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today the carrier is exercising options to purchase five Boeing 737-900ER (extended range) aircraft. The five new aircraft are worth $481 million at Boeing's current list price. Two of the aircraft will arrive in 2015 followed by two more in 2016 and one in 2017.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER N402AS. Image courtesy Alaska Airlines.

Mark Eliasen, Alaska Air Group's vice president of finance and treasurer said

"Today's announcement supports our goal of growing Alaska Airlines by 4 to 8 percent a year," "The 737-900ER is a great aircraft, with the cost efficiency and reliability needed for us to be successful in today's competitive marketplace."

This order supplements the 31 aircraft on firm order for delivery by the end of 2017. Alaska Airlines now has unfilled orders for 35 737-900ERs and 37 737 MAX airplanes. Alaska Airlines expects to have 134 Boeing 737s in its fleet by the end of 2014.

Brad McMullen, vice president of North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said

"The order of five additional 737-900ERs is an affirmation of our hometown partner's successful strategy of offering customers good value, delivering a great onboard experience and running an on-time airline," "The 737-900ER offers Alaska Airlines the best seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane in production, which is especially important with today's high fuel prices. The interior also complements Alaska's excellent customer service, providing the passengers with a wonderful flying experience."

The largest and newest model in the Next-Generation (NG) 737 family (737-700, -800, -900ER), the 737-900ER (Extended Range) can carry up to 26 more passengers or fly about 500 nautical miles (926 km) farther than the older 737-900. Alaska Airlines operates the 737-900ER in a two-class configuration with 181 seats and features the Boeing Sky Interior.

The Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers that introduces new lighting and a curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers enjoy a more open cabin feel and an environment simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The interior also features sculpted sidewalls and newly improved and expanded pivot bins. In addition, all of Alaska's seats will feature outlets providing dual 110-volt and USB power.

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Delta receives first next generation Boeing 737-900ER

by Devesh Agarwal

Delta Air Lines commenced its single-aisle fleet renewal process when it took delivery of the first next generation Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. The delivery is part of Delta's 100-airplane order placed in 2011.

Delta Air Lines new next generation Boeing 737-900ER N801DZ. Boeing photo. All rights reserved.

Delta's new 737-900ER seats 180 passengers and features the new Boeing Sky Interior. This interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. It introduces new LED lighting and curved architecture that welcomes passengers onboard and creates a greater sense of spaciousness and comfort in the cabin. The interior also features modern, sculpted sidewalls and overhead bins that disappear into the ceiling, yet carry more bags.

The airplane is also configured with B/E Aerospace's modular advanced lavatory system incorporating the company's patent pending Spacewall® technology, which frees up floor space in the cabin, to add up to six incremental passenger seats.

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Video: Boeing delivers its 7,500th 737 to Malaysian start-up Malindo Air

Boeing has delivered a 737-900ER, the 7,500th 737 to come off the production line to Malaysia-based Malindo Air. The aircraft in a two class configuration, 18 business class and 164 economy class seats, features the Boeing Sky Interior featuring sculpted side-walls, improved window reveals, LED lighting and larger pivoting overhead baggage storage. The Boeing 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner of all time with total orders exceeding 10,500 airplanes.

Malindo Air is a joint venture by Jakarta, Indonesia-based Lion Air and Malaysia's National Aerospace and Defence Industries (NADI). The name "Malindo" comse from the names of respective countries: Malaysia and Indonesia.

Malindo is a response by Lion Air after the entry of AirAsia from Malaysia, in to their home turf of Indonesia. AirAsia's subsidiary Indonesia AirAsia, in partnership with its parent firm, bought Indonesian carrier Batavia Air to gain foothold in the Indonesian market. Mr Chandran Ramamuthy, personal assistant executive to the president director of Lion Air, has been appointed as CEO of Malindo Air. The airline inaugural flights will be operational from 22nd of March.

Malindo will take a hybrid approach to differentiate itself from the bare bones low cost AirAsia. Malindo will provide a personal TV IFE (in-flight entertainment) system in every seat, free snacks or meals, seat pitches of 32" and 45" for economy class and business class respectively, and a free baggage allowance of 15 kg and 30 kg. The airline also plans to add in-flight Wi-Fi service.



Images courtesy Randy's Journal

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Norwegian Air Shuttle places largest ever Boeing order from European airline

Olso based, Norwegian Air Shuttle, one of the largest operators of the Boeing 737, has given the US airframer its first European order for the new 737 MAX airplane.

Norwegian and Boeing have announced a firm order for 100 fuel-efficient 737 MAX airplanes and 22 Next-Generation 737-800s. The total order is valued at $11.4 billion at list prices and represents the largest-ever Boeing order from a European airline.

At 16 million passengers, Norwegian has grown to become the third-largest low-cost airline in Europe today. The carrier currently operates a fleet of 48 737-800s and 14 737-300s. With today's announcement, the carrier's order backlog with Boeing increases to 184 airplanes, including 100 737 MAX, 78 737-800, and six 787 Dreamliners.

Norwegian Air Shuttle, has close relations with Boeing. It was one of the launch customers for the Boeing Sky Interior (pictured left) and has been receiving landmark deliveries of 737 aircraft. It received the 6000th Boeing 737 built, the 200th SkyInterior fitted 737, and more recently the first aircraft from the increased rate (35 a month) production line.

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Boeing delivers its 200th Boeing Sky Interior fitted 737

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, one of the launch customers of the new Boeing Sky Interiors (BSI) fitted 737s took delivery of a new BSI equipped 737-800, its 18th and Boeing's 200th such aircraft delivered.

Introduced in October 2010, the 737 Boeing Sky Interior features new sculpted sidewalls and windows. LED (light emitting diode) based lighting allows the airline to provide 'mood lighting' i.e. put varying colours and intensities into the cabin. The new design offers larger pivoting overhead stowage bins, derived from bigger brother 777, that are also shaped to improve openness of the cabin.

Boeing redesigned reading-light switches so passengers can find them more easily and avoid accidentally pressing the flight-attendant call button.

In India, only Jet Airways currently flies a few 737-800 aircraft fitted with the Boeing Sky Interior. SpiceJet is yet to receive BSI equipped aircraft from its July 2010 order.

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Jet Airways takes delivery of India's first Boeing 737 with new "Sky Interiors"

by Devesh Agarwal

A little over two years ago, Boeing showed mock-ups of a new cabin interior for their 737NG series aircraft. The "Sky Interior" utilises inputs from the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner to improve the passenger experience. (To see photos please ready this related story)

Last week, Jet Airways took delivery of its newest Boeing 737-800 VT-JBU, and the first 737 in India, to be fitted with his new cabin product. Jet Airways has a pending order for an additional ten aircraft and will be taking delivery on a regular basis between October 2011 and March 2013.

Jet Airways Boeing 737-800 VT-JBU featuring the Boeing "Sky" interior

Passengers will experience much larger pivot-type overhead baggage compartments derived from the Boeing 777, larger windows inspired by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, an LED lighting system Boeing calls Skylighting, and a generally larger and quieter cabin with superior speaker system for clear announcements.

Of the 11 new aircraft including VT-JBU, two will be in a 16 business 138 economy class seat configuration with a full in-flight entertainment (IFE) system which will be primarily deployed on international routes. The remaining nine aircraft will be in a eight business and 162 economy class seating configuration without an IFE, which will be used primarily in domestic operations.

So the next time you are flying Jet Airways look out for VT-JBU, JBV, JBW, and JBX.

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SpiceJet places order for 30 additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft with Sky Interior

Gurgaon, India based value carrier SpiceJet has placed a fresh order for 30 addition Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with deliveries commencing from 2014.

The new aircraft will incorporate the new, spacious 737 Boeing Sky Interior (click link for images) with soft blue cove lighting, curving architecture and larger window that will offer a sense of spaciousness in the cabin and comfort for the passengers. The Sky Interior cabin features larger cabin baggage stowage bins, which pivot upwards and out of the way and whose shape adds to the open feel of the cabin. The cabin also features new noise dampening materials a new integrated air grille to make the cabin quieter for a more comfortable flight.

SpiceJet’s has a current fleet size of 21 Boeing 737-800 and 737-900 with seven more 737-800's to be delivered about once a quarter till 2012. The airline took delivery of VT-SGG it's 21st Boeing 737NG just last month. It's 22nd aircraft VT-SGH had it's first flight just three days ago.

Due to the fractured ownership, fleet growth at SpiceJet was limited till now, and the carrier fell behind Interglobe owned IndiGo airlines which is also based at Gurgaon near the national capital New Delhi. IndiGo which has an on-going order for 100 Airbus A320-200s is aggressively acquiring new aircraft and growing market share.

The recent acquisition of a majority stake by media baron Kalanithi Maran has consolidated the ownership and led to faster decision making. SpiceJet which has won rights to fly international routes, announced earlier today, that it is in the process of evaluating a far more aggressive fleet expansion over the next 18-24 months than originally planned.

Mr. Kishore Gupta, Director and interim CEO, said

“We are currently seeing a strong resurgence in domestic air traffic on the back of a robust macro-economic growth. We expect domestic demand to grow at 16% during the current year and to sustain a 12-14% annual growth going forward in the medium-term. This growth will necessitate significant capacity induction and the fresh order announced by us today will ensure that SpiceJet will remain at the forefront of the growth story in the Indian skies.”

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