SilkAir Orders 68 Boeing 737's

[FN-GM]

Taken from the SilkAir Facebook page

Here’s great news for all! Today marks a spectacular day for us, as we enter into a new era of aviation. SilkAir will be ordering up to 68 Boeing 737 aircrafts, doubling our current fleet, by 2021. With this increase in fleet numbers, we would be able to spread our wings and explore more destinations in the near future. http://bit.ly/OuKAMu.

Are you travelling with us today? We look forward to seeing you on board.

Photo Illustration: An artist’s impression of the B737-800 and B737 Max aircraft, in the SilkAir livery.

[9V-JKL]

Good Stuff. They've gone 737 family to A320 family and now back to 737 family

[flying.monkeyz]

Fantastic choice! Always prefer Boeing!

[boing]

Always preferred the A320s over the B737s. Find the B737 a tad too claustrophobic over A320.

[CarbonMan]

Can someone who knows planes explain why they are ordering the "older" 737-800 instead of all new 737-Max 8's? The latter has better mileage, range and load.

I can only think that they need the new planes in a hurry and can't wait for the Max's to be out.

[inkoherent]

Can someone who knows planes explain why they are ordering the "older" 737-800 instead of all new 737-Max 8's? The latter has better mileage, range and load.

I can only think that they need the new planes in a hurry and can't wait for the Max's to be out.

That was my first thought too (also, are 737 Maxes likely to be delivered earlier than A320neos for orders placed now?)

My second thought - did Boeing perhaps throw in some sweeteners for SQ possibly getting the 787s late?

Anyhow, hopefully MI will spiff up the cabins on the new birds with PTVs and other shiny things since the likes of MH and GA are making the cabins of their narrowbodies pretty fancy.

[inix]

I only have 1 wish for them. Please put in the damn PTV that plays VOD. It does not need to be like those that can connect to iPod and connect to lappies, but Silkair now flies to quite a few places that are 4 hours and beyond, and it gets really boring without PTV..

[9V-JKL]

Can someone who knows planes explain why they are ordering the "older" 737-800 instead of all new 737-Max 8's? The latter has better mileage, range and load.

I can only think that they need the new planes in a hurry and can't wait for the Max's to be out.

Apparently so. The 737MAX only begin deliveries in 2017. The LOI says deliveries from 2014

[sqdazz]

the 737-800 is much more uncomfortable in terms of seat width than an A320. I really notice it myself

[milehighj]

It's much less about the cabin than the choice of seats & pitch by each carrier.

Let's hope for a competitive J class product especially since this fleet expansion probably means SQ will hive-off more lower-yielding routes/sectors to MI.

[9V-SIA]

It's much less about the cabin than the choice of seats & pitch by each carrier.

Let's hope for a competitive J class product especially since this fleet expansion probably means SQ will hive-off more lower-yielding routes/sectors to MI.

+1.

Current MI seats are horrible since the revamp.

For me, next gen must have IFE.

But the biggest downer for me is less regional flights on SQ in the future.

[SilverChris]

With 68 B737s I can hardly imagine SQ's regional network in 10 years..

Oh MI, please join *A already...

[sqdazz]

regardless what kind of seat the width of the A320 cabin is greater than a 737. I find the A320 cabin much more roomy overall.

And yes it is already well overdue for MI to join *A as SQ's regional partner.

[flyguy]

Silkair's Ordering Boeing now

"Singapore Airlines' regional carrier SilkAir has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 68 new Boeing aircraft for its growth and fleet renewal plans.

The agreement includes a firm order for 23 Boeing 737-800s and 31 Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft, and purchase rights for another 14 aircraft.

Under the deal, SilkAir also has the flexibility to switch its order to other variants of the 737 product range.

The firm order for the 54 aircraft is valued at $4.9 billion at list prices.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2014 and continue through to 2021, doubling the carrier's fleet. The deal also swings the carrier away from operating an all-Airbus fleet.

"The order is the largest in SilkAir's history and remains subject to the negotiations of a final purchase agreement," the carrier said in a statement listed on the Singapore Exchange."

- lets hope its 738s are all equipped with PTVs.

[RCTP]

"Singapore Airlines' regional carrier SilkAir has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 68 new Boeing aircraft for its growth and fleet renewal plans.

The agreement includes a firm order for 23 Boeing 737-800s and 31 Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft, and purchase rights for another 14 aircraft.

Under the deal, SilkAir also has the flexibility to switch its order to other variants of the 737 product range.

The firm order for the 54 aircraft is valued at $4.9 billion at list prices.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2014 and continue through to 2021, doubling the carrier's fleet. The deal also swings the carrier away from operating an all-Airbus fleet.

"The order is the largest in SilkAir's history and remains subject to the negotiations of a final purchase agreement," the carrier said in a statement listed on the Singapore Exchange."

- lets hope its 738s are all equipped with PTVs.

yeah i hope so too, since they are flying to further destinations. the b738 and max is supposed to give more range right?