Industry Virgin Australia decides for Boeing 737 MAX 10

Virgin Australia has announced it has converted ten orders for the 737 MAX 8 for the larger MAX 10 variant.  The airline, which has a number of 737 MAX 8s on order, said it saw the value of adding the MAX 10 to the mix as the aircraft will provide additional capacity and flexibility.

Virgin Australia Group Chief Financial Officer Geoff Smith said, "We are pleased to be welcoming the 737 MAX 10 aircraft into our expanding fleet in 2022. The addition of the 737 MAX 10 will provide us with additional flexibility and capability to support our network and operations. We are proud to become Australia's first operator of the 737 MAX and we look forward to the opportunities that operating this type of aircraft will open up to us."

According to the order book, Virgin Australia will now receive 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and ten B737 MAX 10.

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is the largest variant of the new B737 MAX generation. The MAX 10 offers seating capacity for up to 232 passengers in a single class configuration. The MAX 10 was launched in June 2017 with 240 orders and commitments from more than 10 customers. United Airlines is the largest customer for the model as the carrier replaces its aging Boeing 757 fleet with the new aircraft. The MAX 10 is designed to compete with the Airbus A321 Neo. Airbus has received over 1900 orders and commitments for its largest A320 Family aircraft.

Virgin Australia operates a fleet of over 100 aircraft including 80 Boeing 737-800 six Airbus A330-200, eight ATR72-600, two Boeing 737-700 and five Boeing 777-300ER. It offers flights from hubs in Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.