Southwest to Buy Boeing 737MAX

On December 13, 2011, Southwest Airlines became the first carrier to have firm order of buying first batch of new, fuel-efficient variant of 737, 737MAX, from Boeing. Although American Airlines, now in bankruptcy proceeding, had on July 20, 2011 filed orders to buy 737MAX from Boeing, the difference is that Southwest's orders are firm. On December 13, 2011, Boeing Commercial President Jim Albaugh and Southwest CEO, President and Chairman Gary Kelly during a press conference unveiled plans for the Dallas-based carrier to buy 208 aircraft with ticket value of $19 billion. The plan includes 150 firm orders of 737MAX and 58 firm orders of current generation 737 aircraft. The new version may start entering into Southwest fleet by 2017. Southwest also placed options to buy an additional 78 current version and 150 new version of 737. Southwest and its Airtran subsidiary have 699 airplanes altogether as of September 30, 2011:

Type Quantity Avg Age (years)
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717-200 ..... 88 .... 10

737-300 ..... 165 .... 20

737-500 ..... 25 .... 20

737-700 ..... 421 .... 7
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