Vueling Upgrades: Embracing Boeing 737 MAXs

Is this move shocking or just run-of-the-mill? Let’s dive into the drama.

IAG Allocates Boeing 737 MAX Order to Vueling

Picture this: 2022 rolls around, and International Airlines Group (IAG)—the big umbrella for British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling—decides to jazz things up by ordering at least 50 Boeing 737 MAXs. They’re mixing it up with 25 of the souped-up 737 MAX 8-200s, which are essentially the 737 MAX 8 with a little more elbow room due to an extra exit, and then there are 25 of the big-and-bold 737 MAX 10s, still waiting for the official thumbs-up for flying. Oh, and they have options to add another 100 to their collection.

So, what’s the catch? IAG didn’t earmark these airplanes for any particular group member right off the bat. It was a future thing. This move stirred the pot a bit, given that all IAG members were Airbus aficionados up until then. Opportunism, apparently, isn’t a foreign concept to IAG when a sweet deal is in play.

The latest scoop? IAG has given the green light for those coveted 737 MAXs to go to Vueling, the Spanish ultra-budget airline of the family. Expect these shiny new planes to start rolling out to Vueling’s fleet around late 2026.

Here’s the lay of the land: Vueling currently has a fleet of nearly 140 Airbus A320-family planes. We’re talking A319s, A320s, A320neos, A321s, and A321neos. They’ve got approximately 35 more Airbus planes in the pipeline, with new A320neos and A321neos lining up.

Curiosity Peaks: How Will This Fleet Transition Unfold?

Let’s not act all surprised here. With IAG choosing to unload the 737 MAX 8-200s on Vueling, a low-cost airline, it makes sense. But then again, British Airways hopping on the 737 MAX 8-200 bandwagon wouldn’t have been a shocker either, would it?

The real eyebrow-raiser? Vueling appears to be orchestrating a mixed showcase of both Airbus and Boeing. No, they’re not kicking Airbus to the curb just yet. Nope, they’re pushing forward with a mixed fleet model, adding new A320neos and A321neos alongside these new Boeings.

The thought process? Perhaps both Airbus and Boeing fleets could grow dense enough that the cost benefits of scale outweigh any drawbacks. What looks like a headache to some might actually line up with Vueling’s financial plans. Presumably, IAG smoothed out a lucrative deal on these aircraft. Though let’s admit, this practice is a rarity in the airline world.

Awards for long-term planning? Let’s talk Aer Lingus. Still lingering questions there. They’ve been cruising with 27 A320s and seven A320neos, plus a lone fresh A320neo on order. If you thought they might be yearning for other aircraft soon, you’re not alone. But then again, maybe Aer Lingus is to IAG what Austrian is to Lufthansa—a valuable, yet slightly neglected family member.

The horizon is certainly opening up like never before, much like you’re exploring the Val Seny ski resort on a fresh winter morning, navigating new trails and vistas.

The Takeaway

IAG’s decision a few years back to snap up Boeing 737 MAXs left us guessing about which lucky airline would take them for a spin. The winner? Vueling, the low-cost champion of IAG’s lineup.

It might lack the shock factor you’d expect, but it’s intriguing to witness a cost-savvy airline elect for a not-so-standard mixed aircraft fleet. A gamble? Sure. But no great venture was ever achieved without a little risk.

What’s your take on Vueling getting its hands on the Boeing 737 MAXs?