US plane maker Boeing said it had won a $13.5bn order for 100 of its 737-MAX planes from Delta Airlines in a boost for the aerospace giant after the model was grounded as a result of two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019.
It is the first ever MAX order from the American airline, which has also taken out options for 30 more of the fuel-efficient planes. If Delta firms up the extra aircraft, it would raise the value of the deal to about $17.6bn before discounts.
In a separate statement at the UK’s Farnborough air show, Boeing said Japanese airline ANA had agreed to buy 20 of its smaller MAX 8 jets – worth $2.4bn – plus two 777-8 freight planes.
“The Boeing 737-10 will be an important addition to Delta’s fleet as we shape a more sustainable future for air travel, with an elevated customer experience, improved fuel efficiency and best-in-class performance,” said Delta chief executive Ed Bastian.
The 737 Max 10 jet, powered by CFM International’s Leap-1B engines, will be 20% – 30% more fuel efficient than the retiring planes it will replace at Delta, the airline said, adding that it would start taking delivery of the first jets in 2025.
