Boeing and Air Lease Corporation announced earlir a firm order for 60 737 MAX 8 and 15 737 MAX 9 airplanes, with reconfirmation rights for 25 additional 737 MAXs.

The order, with a list-price value of $7.2 billion, represents the first 737 MAX order by a leasing company.

[stock]BA|1m|right|Boeing up following confirmation of Air Lease deal[/stock]

“The 737 MAX is an excellent addition to our portfolio and the ideal complement to our growing fleet of Next-Generation 737-800s,” said Steven Udvar-Hazy, chairman and chief executive of Air Lease Corporation.

“The 737 MAX represents a step-change improvement that our airline clients need to compete in the future.”

The 737 MAX is a new-engine variant of the world’s best selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737.

Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 13 per cent fuel burn improvement over today’s most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes and an eight percent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow’s competition.

ALC has ordered a total of 170 airplanes from Boeing including 75 737 MAX, 78 Next-Generation 737-800s, five 777-300ERs (Extended Range) and 12 787-9 Dreamliners.