American Airlines Receives 50th 737 MAX

American Airlines has long been one of the world's largest operators of the Boeing 737. At present, the carrier operates over 300 examples of the 737-800 alone. Recently, the carrier inducted its 50th 737 MAX as Boeing slowly reacclimatizes to more aircraft deliveries.

More to Come

While having 50 737 MAX jets is already quite impressive, American still anticipates more deliveries of the aircraft...a lot more, in fact.

The carrier's total MAX order sits at 130 planes and with 50 already delivered, 80 more 737 MAX 8s are on the way with ten more expected this year alone.

The remaining are expected to last through 2028 as over the next four and a half years, American will likely phase out older 737 and Airbus jets, replacing them with the new MAX planes.

American's 50th MAX

The 50th 737 MAX delivered to American is N319TE. This MAX 8, like the rest of the 737-800 and MAX fleet, is fitted with 172 seats consisting of 16 in First Class, 24 in Main Cabin Extra, and 132 in Main Cabin. 

Unfortunately, American chose not to adorn N319TE with any commemorative decal or livery that shows this is its 50th MAX jet.

When airlines receive a milestone aircraft delivery, they often choose to add a special decal or even a livery that showcases the important nature of that new delivery.

A random example is All Nippon Airlines (ANA), who added a small sticker to JA882A, its 50th Boeing 787 that was delivered in 2016.

Time will tell if American chooses to add some special decal celebrating their 50th MAX as it is still possible.

Usually, these small add-ons aren't necessarily done at the factory after the aircraft has been fully painted. Specific decal applications are often done at the airline's maintenance facilities.

N319TE, at the time of writing this article, has not yet entered revenue service. It was ferried from Seattle Boeing Field to American's largest hub of Dallas/Fort Worth on July 19th.

It has remained in DFW since the 19th, completing all the necessary acceptance checks. American has scheduled its 50th MAX to enter revenue service on July 27th. Its first flight with passengers, barring any aircraft changes, will be AA1042 from Dallas to Miami.

After arrival in Miami, the plane is expected to fly various short-haul routes including two roundtrips to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and a roundtrip to Cancún, México. Again, these are assuming American does not swap the aircraft on any of these flights.

Future of the MAX

Over 1,200 737 MAX jets have been built since the first plane was introduced in 2017 with Malindo Air. The program has a busy future ahead, with over 4,300 planes in the order backlog as it stands.

Boeing has recently been showing off its largest and latest addition to the MAX lineup, the 737 MAX 10. This is also in addition to the smallest member of the family, the MAX 7.

Both variants have yet to enter service but have firmed up a fair share of orders.

The MAX 7, as it stands, has over 200 orders, mainly from long-time 737 operator Southwest. The MAX 10, on the other hand, has been more popular with over 700 orders in the backlog. This includes a whopping 250 destined for United Airlines.