After several months banned from flying due to safety concerns, the 737 MAX has already had 740 aircraft delivered, according to Boeing. Airframer’s most popular jetliner, the model also has just over 300 units ready, waiting to be delivered to its customers.
In his statement to employees, Dave Calhoun, CEO of Boeing, highlighted the increase in the number of aircraft delivered in the first quarter of 2022, totaling 91 737 MAX.
The active fleet has flown more than 1 million hours since the end of 2020, when it was approved for the revenue service. Only a few nations still maintain the operating ban like Russia and China. Most of the active 737 MAXs are in North America, where the Boeing plane resumed flights early last year.
At least 180 of the type are in service with four US carriers. Southwest is, as expected, the largest operator of the 737 MAX with 72 jets, followed by United Airlines with 46 planes. American Airlines, Alaska, Aeromexico and Air Canada complete the list in the region.
In Europe, the highlight is Ryanair, the Irish low-cost carrier that debuted the 737 MAX 8-200, a high-density variant of the aircraft. The group operates 66 jets distributed by subsidiaries such as Buzz and Malta Air. Another group, the German TUI, also has a significant number of the Boeing model, with 31 aircraft.
| Carrier | Fleet | 737 MAX 8 | 737 MAX 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 72 | 72 | |
| Ryanair | 66 | 66 | |
| United Airlines | 46 | 16 | 30 |
| American Airlines | 42 | 42 | |
| Aeromexico | 41 | 29 | 12 |
| Air Canada | 36 | 36 | |
| Gol Linhas Aéreas | 31 | 31 | |
| Tui Group | 31 | 31 | |
| flyDubai | 29 | 26 | 3 |
| Turkish Airlines | 25 | 20 | 5 |
| China Southern Airlines | 24 | 24 | |
| Alaska Airlines | 20 | 20 | |
| Air China | 16 | 16 | |
| Copa Airlines | 16 | 16 | |
| China Eastern Airlines | 14 | 14 |
In South America, Gol is the largest customer of the 737 MAX, with 31 aircraft and the goal of reaching the end of 2022 with 44 aircraft, in addition to 92 737NG.
China, which was one of the most promising markets for the single-aisle jet, three companies add up to 54 planes, Air China, China Southern and China Eastern Airlines. Most of the aircraft that are stored in the US must be delivered to the Asian country if the civil aviation authority lifts the ban on commercial operation.
Of the 740 737 MAX delivered, at least 180 belong to lessors. The company that received the most Boeing jet was Air Lease Corporation, with 40 planes, followed by NAS Aviation Services, with 25 units.
