Malaysia Aviation Group has placed a firm order for 18 Boeing 737-8 and 12 737-10 MAX airplanes, and has secured options for 30 more, as the Group renews their single-aisle fleet.
On Friday (March 21, 2025), Boeing announced that Malaysia Airlines Group has ordered up to 60 Boeing 737 MAX Family airplanes. This includes a firm order for 18 Boeing 737-8 and 12 737-10 MAX jets, plus options for 30 more. The order was originally placed in January 2025 and listed as unidentified on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website, and will allow Malaysia Airlines to introduce new lie-flat seats as they renew their single-aisle fleet. Boeing expects the region’s airplane fleet to grow nearly 250 percent over the next 20 years.
In Friday’s announcement, Malaysia Aviation Group’s Managing Director, Izham Ismail, said,
“This is a significant investment for Malaysia Aviation Group, enabling us to deliver cutting-edge premium cabin offerings and state-of-the-art technology to our customers. The addition of these new airplanes will not only enhance our fleet's efficiency and increase seating capacity, but allow us to elevate the overall inflight experience, with our passengers’ needs at the forefront.”
Also commenting on the new 737 MAX order, Boeing Global’s President, Dr. Brendan Nelson AO, said,
“Today’s announcement represents another milestone in Boeing's long-standing partnership with Malaysia and reflects our enduring commitment to the country's aerospace sector. The opportunity to introduce more Boeing airplanes in Malaysia is a point of pride for our many Malaysian employees who contribute to every airplane Boeing builds and delivers to customers around the world.”
Boeing’s SVP – Commercial Sales and Marketing, Brad McMullen, added,
“We are honored to build upon our valued partnership with Malaysia Aviation Group and support them in modernizing their fleet. Adding the 737-8 and 737-10 will equip Malaysia Airlines with the operational flexibility, environmental performance and additional capacity they need to better serve a growing number of passengers.”
Following the introduction of their first Boeing 737-100 in 1969, the 737 has served as the backbone of Malaysia Airlines’ single-aisle fleet for nearly 60 years. Since that time, Malaysia Airlines has operated nearly every variant of the airplane, and continues that legacy with today’s 737 MAX Family order. Currently, Malaysia Airlines has over 50 Boeing 737s in their fleet, and the introduction of the new 737-8s and 737-10s will offer operational commonality, and the best per-seat economics in its class, while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20 percent.
Boeing’s presence in Malaysia includes Boeing Composites Malaysia, the company’s first wholly-owned manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia, which operates with an all-Malaysian workforce. The facility provides composite products and subassemblies for all Boeing commercial airplanes, including the 737 MAX.
Source: Boeing