Summary
- Boeing’s delivery delays have pushed back Allegiant Air’s MAX 8 debut date to the fourth quarter.
- The airline is expecting fewer aircraft due to Boeing’s complications and has reduced its delivery count by half.
- Its first MAX 8 was spotted in Washington undergoing flight tests a few months ago.
Ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Allegiant Air has delayed the debut of its highly anticipated Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft. It comes after the airline has not even received its first example of the aircraft despite being spotted in Washington.
Boeing delivery delays have contributed to the airline pushing back its MAX 8 debut. In February, the carrier scheduled the aircraft to begin service this fall, but now it has been postponed even further – into the fourth quarter.
Delaying the debut and reducing the delivery count
According to AirlineGeeks, Allegiant is delaying the service entry date by nearly three months. The MAX 8s first fight is scheduled for October 2nd, a delay from its original forecast of commencing operations in August. While the date has been pushed back, Allegiant is also expecting to have fewer aircraft due to Boeing’s complications.
Photo: Allegiant Air
The carrier recently announced that its delivery expectations were reduced by half, receiving six aircraft out of 12 this year.
“We are updating our delivery expectations and planning the business for delivery of six aircraft this year rather than the 12 previously communicated,” said Robert Neal, Allegiant’s Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, at its first-quarter earnings call.
Neal reportedly explained that the expectation was not based on any forecast from Boeing but the carrier’s “best estimate,” according to AirlineGeeks.
Boeing delivery delays
Late last year, the airline expected its MAX 8 deliveries would begin at the start of this year, but Neal explained in February that they would “begin in late March or early April.” However, Allegiant still has not received its first delivery. Besides the carrier’s expectation of receiving six aircraft, it is unclear exactly when Allegiant will receive its first MAX 8.
Read More
Allegiant Joins Ryanair Warning Of Boeing 737 MAX Delays
Allegiant Air, Ryanair, and United Airlines are just a few of the airlines expecting Boeing 737 MAX delivery delays.
The airline is not the only one affected by Boeing delivery delays, as Alaska Airlines has also been behind schedule in receiving its MAX 8 order. Simple Flying reported last month that the Seattle-based carrier still had only one MAX 8 since it was delivered in January – after previously forecasting that it would have received five examples by March. A few weeks ago, it took delivery of its second MAX 8 in a special livery. According to ch-aviation, the airline has 16 more jets on order.
The MAX 8-200 variant
Allegiant has a total of 26 MAX 8s and 24 MAX 7s set to be delivered, ch-aviation data shows. However, previous reports have indicated that the ULCC has up to 130 aircraft on order. Its first MAX 8 was spotted performing a functional flight check in March at King County International Airport (BFI) near Seattle.
Check It Out
Allegiant’s 1st Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 Spotted During Functional Flight Check
The aircraft is one step closer to delivery ahead of an autumn service entry.
The MAX 8s will be specially configured to accommodate more passengers in high-density seating, hence its designation as the MAX 8-200. Its maximum capacity is expected to be 190 passengers in a single-class layout. Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair was the launch customer of the aircraft and has been flying it since August 2023.
Photo: Allegiant Air
Once delivered, Allegiant plans to base the aircraft in Florida and deploy them on more than 30 routes from Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) and St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE).