Luxembourg's Luxair to Expand Fleet with Boeing Next-Generation 737-800

Luxair Luxembourg Airlines, the national airline of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, has signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase one Next-Generation 737-800 jetliner. The airplane will join Luxair's Next-Generation 737 fleet of three 737-700s and one 737-800. The 737-800 has an average list price of $77 million. The order was previously recorded on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website as an unidentified customer.

"The 737-800 has the right size and range to enable us to optimize operations for our tour operator LuxairTours," said Adrien Ney, LuxairGroup president and chief executive officer. "We have a policy of maintaining a young fleet to lessen our impact on the planet and to offer our customers the most up-to-date product."

Like the current Next-Generation airplanes in Luxair's fleet, the new 737 will feature advanced-technology Blended Winglets, an environmental innovation that reduces drag, resulting in less fuel consumption and a decrease in carbon emissions of 3.5 to 4 percent. Luxair has selected Boeing's signature Sky Interior, which features new 787-style modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals that will provide passengers with a greater connection to the flying experience. The new airplane also will benefit from performance enhancements expected to result in a 2 percent reduction in fuel consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements.

"Luxair's order reflects our company's solid business partnership of more than 45 years with this airline and the proven performance of the Next-Generation 737 in its fleet," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Earlier this month, Boeing announced that it will increase production rates on the Next-Generation 737 program to 34 airplanes per month in early 2012. The planned rate increase is aimed at satisfying continued strong demand for the Next-Generation 737. The Next-Generation 737 family has more than 2,000 unfilled orders from customers around the world.

News Release Issued: SEATTLE, June 2, 2010 9:32 AM EDT/PRNewswire-FirstCall/