Allegiant has placed an order for up to 100 new Boeing 737-7 and 737-8-200 aircraft. (Boeing)
Las Vegas-based low-cost airline Allegiant has signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase up to 50 new 737 MAX aircraft, including the 737-7 and 737-8-200 models.
According to a Jan. 5 press release, the fleet order includes options to purchase 50 additional 737 MAX aircraft as part of Allegiant’s ongoing fleet modernization efforts. The 737 MAX will be the first Boeing aircraft to be operated by Allegiant, an airline that became an all-Airbus A320 operator in 2018 after its final MD-88s were retired from service.
Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., Allegiant’s chairman and CEO, described the Boeing fleet order as “opportunistic.”
“While the heart of our strategy continues to center on previously-owned aircraft, the infusion of up to 100 direct-from-the-manufacturer 737s will bring numerous benefits for the future—including flexibility for capacity growth and aircraft retirements, significant environmental benefits, and modern configuration and cabin features our customers will appreciate,” Gallagher said.
Boeing claims that the 737 models ordered by Allegiant will be capable of reducing the airline’s fuel use and carbon emissions by 20%. Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, said the new Allegiant deal “further validates the economics of the 737 MAX family in the [ultra low cost carrier] ULCC market.”
During Allegiant’s third-quarter earnings call held in October 2021, Greg Anderson, the airline’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, said they expect to place 19 additional Airbus A320neo aircraft into service in 2022.
Allegiant currently operates a fleet of 108 Airbus A319 and A320 airplanes.