Airlines Icelandair receives first Boeing 737 MAX
Icelandair has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX. The airline plans to enhance its trans-Atlantic operations.
TF-ICE, Icelandair´s first Boeing 737 MAX 8 was delivered from Seattle Boeing-Field to Reykjavik this Saturday. The arrival marks Icelandair´s beginnings to renew and extend its fleet of Boeing 757 and Boeing 767. Also, the carrier seeks to improve its trans-Atlantic operations with the MAX.
Iceland´s main airline has ordered 16 737 MAXs in 2013. The deal included nine MAX 8 and seven MAX 9 aircraft. Until 2021, all aircraft will be delivered.
The inaugural flight will be on April 6, 2018 on the route from Reykjavik to Berlin-Tegel. Currently, Boeing 757-200s are operating the route.
Björgólfur Jóhannsson, President and CEO Icelandair said: "The arrival of the new aircraft represents a milestone, the start of the renewal of our fleet, which is an exciting undertaking for Icelandair [...] The MAX will be an excellent addition to our fleet of Boeing 757's and 767's and increase both flexibility and capacity for the growth of our network, through added frequencies and new destinations."
Boeing´s MAX family is a new and improved version of its Boeing 737. The aircraft is powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines. To optimize efficiency, new winglets were developed to ensure less drag and a better performance on longer routes. The aircraft is able to fly up to 3,515 nautical miles or 6,510 kilometres. Compared to today’s Next-Generation 737s, the MAX is 14 per cent more efficient.
Monty Oliver, vice-president of Europe Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: "The 737 MAX will complement Icelandair's trans-Atlantic operations, continuing to seamlessly link points between North America and Europe [...] The incredible operating efficiencies of the 737 MAX family will allow Icelandair to steadily and profitably grow its network in the coming years as it introduces both MAX 8s and MAX 9s into its fleet."
Icelandair operates with 25 Boeing 757-200s and two Boeing 757-300s, as well as with four Boeing 767-300s and one Boeing 737 MAX 8. The carrier, who is headquartered at Keflavik International Airport near Reykjavik, serves 49 destinations. Icelandair has shifted its focus on serving North American and European routes on trans-Atlantic flights.
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