Allegiant is losing its title as an all-Airbus operator. After taking delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on Sept. 9, the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) began revenue flights with the new jet on Sunday.
For over a month, the airline has conducted a series of induction steps with its employees to familiarize them with the new aircraft. The carrier’s first and so far only 737 MAX — registered as N811NV — operated several ferry flights between Allegiant’s bases.
The aircraft officially began revenue service on Sunday, according to Flightradar24 tracking data and the carrier’s website. Departing from Allegiant’s Orlando-Sanford base, the aircraft is currently scheduled to serve Akron, Greenville-Spartanburg, Roanoke, and Bangor, among others.
Cirium Diio schedule data shows the airline’s 737 MAXs initially flying from its Orlando and St. Petersburg bases.
Allegiant faced nearly eight months of manufacturing delays at Boeing; the long-awaited jet was first slated to debut in early 2024. The airline also expected 12 new 737 MAXs this year but has since lowered its delivery estimates to four airframes.
The carrier’s first 737 is the MAX 8-200 variant, a higher-density model with 200 seats. Allegiant’s 737 MAX 8-200 can accommodate up to 190 passengers, including 21 Allegiant Extra seats with additional legroom.
In 2022, Allegiant placed its first order for the 737 MAX and now has 50 aircraft on firm order with options for 80 more. The airline retired its fleet of Boeing 757s in 2017, then the MD-80s in 2018, leaving it with just Airbus aircraft.
