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Thai Lion Air is B737 MAX 9 launch airline
March 23rd 2018
Thai Lion Air this week became the first airline to take delivery of Boeing’s B737 MAX 9. Read More » The MAX 9 variant features three additional rows of seating compared with the MAX 8. Thai Lion Air said the MAX 9 would launch several longer-range international routes, including China and India.
“The 737 MAX 9 is a perfect fit for our growing business in Thailand,” said Capt. Darsito Hendro Seputro, CEO and Chairman of Thai Lion Air. “The 737 has been the backbone of our business since we began and we will use the added capacity the airplane provides to expand our network and start additional routes to Bangladesh, China and India.”
Thai Lion Air parent, Indonesia’s Lion Air Group, was the launch customer for the smaller MAX 8 variant. Batik Air took delivery of the world’s first MAX 8 last May. The Lion Air Group has more than 200 B737 MAXs on order, including 50 of the MAX 10, the hitherto largest variant which is yet to fly.
“The Lion Air Group is the perfect example of the 737 MAX family’s provision of a common fleet solution across the single-aisle spectrum,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, Kevin McAllister. “Not only will Lion Air Group benefit from the MAX's range and capacity, they will enjoy the best economics and reliability in the industry.
The CFM International LEAP-1B-powered B737 MAX 9 is designed for up to 220 passengers and a maximum range of 3,550 nautical miles.
