Ryanair orders 300 Boeing 737-10 Max jets for its expansion

Image credit: Boeing

Ryanair has announced an order for over 300 Boeing 737 Max jets to support the Irish airline’s future expansion plans. The order, which includes a firm order for 150 of the larger 737-10 variant and options for 150 more, is the biggest in Ryanair’s history.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said the new, fuel-efficient aircraft will offer 21% more seats, burn 20% less fuel, and be 50% quieter than the older 737-NGs they are replacing.

Ryanair has deployed a growing fleet of 737-8-200 airplanes to accelerate its post-pandemic recovery and meet strong travel demand. The 197-seat 737-8-200 model has helped the airline reduce fuel use and emissions by over 20% compared to the airplanes they are replacing. The new order adds the larger 737-10 variant, which offers Ryanair 228 seats and the best unit economics of any single-aisle airplane.

“We expect half of this order will replace older NGs, while the remaining 150 aircraft will facilitate controlled, sustainable growth to just over 300m guests per annum by 2034. This order, coupled with our remaining Gamechanger deliveries, will create 10,000 new jobs for highly-paid aviation professionals over the next decade, and these jobs will be generated across all of Europe’s main economies where Ryanair is currently the No.1 or No.2 airline,” O’Leary said.

“In addition to delivering significant revenue and market growth opportunities across Europe, we expect these new larger more efficient aircraft to drive further unit cost savings, which will be passed on to passengers in lower airfares. The extra seats, lower fuel burn, and more competitive aircraft pricing supported by our strong balance sheet will widen the cost gap between Ryanair and competitor EU airlines for many years to come, making the Boeing MAX 10 the ideal growth aircraft order for Ryanair, our passengers, our people, and our shareholders.”

“The Boeing-Ryanair partnership is one of the most productive in commercial aviation history, enabling both companies to succeed and expand affordable travel to hundreds of millions of people,” said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun. “Nearly a quarter-century after our companies signed our first direct airplane purchase, this landmark deal will further strengthen our partnership. We are committed to delivering for Ryanair and helping the airline group achieve its goals.”

This new order will be posted to Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website once it is finalized.

Ryanair Group fleet, before this large order, as of February 2023:

• 410 Boeing 737-800 seating 189 in economy class and operated by Ryanair, Malta Air and Buzz.
• 91 (+119 on order) Boeing 737-8 Max 200 seating 197 in economy class and operated by Ryanair Malta Air and Buzz.
• 1 Boeing 737-700 seating 60 in business-class layout. Used for corporate charters and training.
• 29 Airbus A320-200 seating 180 in economy class and operated by Lauda Europe, leases are extended to 2028.

After delays due to the grounding of the 737 Max, the first 737- 8 Max 200 was finally delivered to Ryanair on 16 June 2021. Twelve deliveries were expected for the summer 2021 season (6 for Ryanair and 6 for Malta Air) and a further 50 by summer 2022.

See also: Fleet Analysis: Ryanair Group before the next Boeing 737 Max order