Boeing and Ryanair, Europe's largest and most profitable low-cost carrier, recently celebrated the delivery of the airline's 100th Boeing Next-Generation 737, nearly seven years after receiving its first 737-800.
Since taking delivery of its first 737-800 on March 19, 1999, Ryanair has become Boeing's largest European customer for the Next-Generation 737. It has ordered a total of 239 Next-Generation 737-800s, and today has 139 remaining to be delivered. The Dublin-based carrier currently operates its all-Boeing fleet on 301 routes into 22 countries. Ryanair previously operated Classic 737s, taking delivery of its first Classic 737 in January 1994.
"The 737's unparalleled reliability and low operating economics have been instrumental in our ability to get passengers to their destinations on time and at the lowest possible fare," said Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair. "We couldn't be more pleased with the airplane's performance and its effect on our bottom line."
Ryanair's fleet of 100 737-800s comprises 18,900 seats. Its fleet has carried more than 130 million people, more than twice the population of the United Kingdom.
"This delivery milestone underscores the tremendous value customers like Ryanair find in the 737," said Marlin Dailey, senior vice president of sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are very honored to count one of the world's most successful airlines as a proud Boeing customer."
The 737-800 is the most popular member of the Next-Generation 737 family, having sold more than 1,650 airplanes. The newer 737s, which are 10 years younger than the competing A320 series, were designed to provide significantly more range and payload capability and lower operating costs than earlier 737 models and competing models. Known for its industry-leading reliability and efficient design, the Next-Generation 737 consumes three to seven percent less fuel per seat and offers up to 22 percent lower maintenance cost than the competition.
As of Feb. 28, 95 customers have placed orders for more than 3,000 Next-Generation 737s; the program has 1,151 units of unfilled orders with a value of about $73 billion at current list prices. For more information about the 737, visit http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/index.html.