Boeing bagged its largest-ever "firm" order for 208 airplanes from Southwest Airlines, including 150 of its new 737 MAX aircraft, the companies said Tuesday.
Southwest said the 737 MAX, with its new CFM International LEAP-1B engines, will boost fuel efficiency in the carrier's growing fleet.
In addition the Dallas-based flyer will buy 58 of Boeing's Next-Generation 737 aircraft, boosting its total order book with Boeing over the next 10 years to 350 aircraft.
Boeing said the new Southwest deal is the company's largest "firm" order both in dollar value -- nearly $19 billion at list prices -- and in the number of airplanes.
In November the company announced Indonesia's private domestic carrier Lion Air signed a commitment -- not a firm order -- for 230 aircraft with a list price of $21.7 billion.
That included 201 737 MAX aircraft and 29 737-900 ERs.
Southwest became the first firm customer for the 737 MAX, a re-engined version of Boeing's best-selling airplane that the company promises will reduce fuel consumption.
The LEAP-1B engine "reduces fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 10-12 percent over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane," Boeing said in a statement.
It claimed the aircraft's operating costs are seven percent lower than competing single-aisle aircraft.
"Today's environment demands that we become more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, and as the launch customer of the Boeing 737 MAX, we have accomplished both," said Southwest chairman and chief executive Gary Kelly.
Southwest is set to take delivery of the first 737 MAX airplane when it enters service in 2017.
Boeing said it so far has orders and commitments for more than 900 737 MAX aircraft from 13 customers.
Southwest also ordered 58 737 NGs. Boeing said that with the Southwest order, they have won more than 6,600 orders for the Next-Generation 737 family of aircraft, with 3,800 already delivered.
Boeing's shares opened up 0.9 percent to $71.54, while Southwest shares gained 0.4 percent to $8.46.
Copyright 2011 AFP Global Edition
