Delta places large order for Boeing 737 MAX jets

Farnborough, England-

Delta Airlines Inc.

Lentils 3.49%

Said it was ordering 100

Boeing Co.

B. A -0.01%

The 737 MAX jet, the largest in the U.S., provided a vote of confidence for the model and joins the list of major US carriers operating the airliner.

The deal, announced at the Farnborough International Air Show near London on Monday, is a boost for the US aircraft maker as it tries to catch up with European rival Airbus SE. Airbus has cashed in on the 737 MAX’s travails, which involved a nearly two-year grounding and pandemic after two fatal crashes. power ahead of boeing In the market for a single-aisle jet.

The cost of 100 aircraft at list prices before customary discounts is $13.5 billion, and Delta’s deal adds 30 more options,

The order comes in for the 737 MAX 10, Boeing’s latest and longest version of the 737 MAX family of jets, although this version has yet to receive regulatory approval. If Boeing can’t get the MAX 10 certified by the end of the year, current law requires it to upgrade its cockpit systems – a requirement that could potentially be add months to its development before winning the certification. Boeing has said it will seek an extension if needed.

Delta senior vice president Mahendra Nair said on Monday that the aircraft’s cockpit design, which was similar to earlier 737 models, was a selling point for the jet. This means that it will not require much training for pilots. It also comes with greater fuel efficiency.

The deal requires Boeing to obtain regulatory approval for the jet. If Boeing is to upgrade the aircraft’s cockpit systems, Mr. Nair said, “then we have to think again about where we are.”

Boeing has overtaken Airbus in recent years in orders largely because of the 737 MAX grounding. 346 people lost their lives in these accidents. Since then, Boeing has added various safety measures to the flight control system. Blamed for accidents and improved pilot training,

According to Boeing’s website, Delta, which is based in Atlanta, last ordered a Boeing jet in 2017. An airline spokesman said they were originally part of a larger 2011 order. Mr Nair said Delta Max will configure about a third of the 10 cabins to have premium seating and operate the planes from its biggest hubs, including New York City and Minneapolis. The airplane can accommodate 204 passengers.

The future of the Max 10 is thrown into doubt when chief executive David Calhoun recently told trade publication Aviation Week that the manufacturer may have to consider scrapping the new aircraft if Congress decides to update the aircraft’s cockpit systems. did not extend the deadline. On Sunday, Stan Deal, the head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the company was unlikely to cancel the plane. Delta’s Mr Nair said on Monday he was not concerned by Mr Calhoun’s comments, but said he had options. Boeing MAX. Offers smaller versions ofLike MAX 9.

“This is exactly the airplane we want,” he said. “But we have the flexibility.”

Packed planes, sky-high fares and low covid-19 related regulations were considered a boon for the airline industry across the world. But as the summer travel season is in full swing, shares of many major US airlines are falling. WSJ’s Joe Wallace explains what’s affecting airline stocks. Photo: Frank Augustine / The Associated Press

write to Andrew Tangel andrew.tangle@wsj.com

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Published July 19, 2022, print edition ‘Boeing Wins Big Order for 737 Max Jets from Delta.’