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Malindo Air Receives First of 3,700 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft

The first 737 MAX to be placed into commercial service is 9M-LRC (Photo: Boeing)

Less than a week ago, Boeing grounded all 737 MAX flights after a potential manufacturing flaw in 30 of the new LEAP engines on the aircraft. However, the FAA cleared Boeing to fly certain MAX jets with engines that were not affected by the problems allowing the Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer to proceed with delivering the first 737 MAX 8 to launch customer Malindo Air on Tuesday.

Malindo Air, part of Lion Air Group of Indonesia, received its first of eight 737 MAX jets from Boeing’s Seattle Delivery Center at Boeing Field. The aircraft was delivered in Batik Air’s livery as Malindo soon plans to rebrand Batik Air Malaysia in the second half of the year.

“We are thrilled to partner with Boeing to take the delivery of the world’s first Boeing 737 MAX,” said Chandran Rama Muthy, CEO of Malindo Air. “The Boeing 737NG fleet has served Malindo well in its growth and we believe that the 737 MAX will become the centerpiece of our fleet. These new aircraft will allow us to go to further destinations and will play a key role in providing lower air fares to our customers.”

The first 737 MAX delivery occurred 15 months after the first A320neo was delivered to German carrier Lufthansa. The newest Boeing aircraft is the fastest-selling aircraft in the company’s history. To date, Boeing has received almost 3,700 orders from 87 customers across the globe for the 737 MAX.

In addition to Malindo Air, 14 other carriers around the world expect to take delivery of new 737 MAX aircraft this year.

Malindo Air’s first 737 MAX 8 departs from Boeing Field (Photo: Boeing)

Originally Dallas-based Southwest Airlines was slated to be the launch customer of the newest 737 aircraft as they were the first to order it but multiple obstacles have caused the airline to reschedule its first delivery to July 2017.

Unlike older 737s, the new MAX variant will offer the new Boeing Sky Interior, highlighted by modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

“This airplane will change the face of the single-aisle market,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Kevin McAllister. “The 737 MAX 8 is the best in its class, providing unmatched performance and economics for our airline customers.”

The first Malindo Air 737 MAX (9M-LRC) arrived in Anchorage on Tuesday evening before continuing to Malaysia. The carrier is expected to debut the aircraft on Monday, May 22 between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as OD803.

Mateen Kontoravdis

Author

  • Mateen Kontoravdis

    Mateen has been interested in aviation from a very young age. He got his first model airplane at six and has been airplane spotting since he was nine years old. He has always had a passion for aviation and loves learning about different aspects within the industry. In addition to writing for AirlineGeeks, Mateen is also an editor for his high school’s newspaper. You can also find him on Instagram (@Plane.Photos) where he enjoys sharing his aviation photography with thousands of people everyday.

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