Long-haul low-cost carrier, Norwegian has today taken delivery of its first two Boeing 737MAX aircraft. The jets took off from the Boeing delivery centre in Seattle earlier today to join Norwegian’s fleet. The airline has a total of 108 Boeing 737-800MAX aircraft on order and plans to initially utilise them on transatlantic routes.
“We have been eagerly awaiting the delivery of our Boeing 737 MAX, and we are overjoyed to have it join our fleet today,” commented Norwegian’s chief executive, Bjørn Kjos. Norwegian plans to use the aircraft on a slew of new routes that will open up secondary airports in both the U.S. and Europe.
Kjos continued: “This aircraft allows us to open up new, unserved routes and offer both Americans and Europeans even more affordable transatlantic fares. It will also provide our passengers with a quieter onboard experience, whilst it significantly reduces both fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions.”
Here’s where the Boeing 737MAX aircraft will be used first:
- Hartford (BDL) to Edingburgh (EDI)
- Providence (PVD) to Belfast (BFS), Cork (ORK), Dublin (DUB), Edinburgh (EDI) and Shannon (SNN)
- Stewart International (SWF) to Belfast (BFS), Dublin (DUB), Edinburgh (EDI) and Shannon (SNN)
Norwegian is the world’s sixth largest low-cost airline and the third largest in Europe. The airline already has over 100 standard Boeing 737-800’s for use on its short haul network across Europe. The MAX version, however, has been designed with a longer range, opening up new possibilities for the carrier.
Norwegian hopes to use the single-aisle aircraft to make otherwise unserved routes profitable. It becomes the first airline in Europe to fly the 737MAX. The carrier has already set up crew bases at its new airport and has actively recruited U.S. cabin crew to address concerns about its operations in North America.
“It is a tremendous honor that a brand as innovative as Norwegian will be the first European carrier to fly the 737 MAX, and we are certain that this airplane will play a key role in its continued success,” said Kevin McAllister of Boeing.
Commenting on the future of low-cost long haul air travel, McAllister continued: “The 737 MAX 8 is a significant addition to Norwegian’s fleet, enabling the airline to start the next chapter in its incredible growth story of low-cost, long-haul travel.”
To find out more about Norwegian, check out this story: Norwegian’s Growth Continues in March 2017: Here’s How the Airline Works
