Virgin Australia has received its first Boeing 737-8 plane of 33 new MAX family aircraft as part of the airline’s fleet growth and renewal program. The new jet is among the first 737-8s to operate in Australia and is under lease from China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC).
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet was delivered to Virgin Australia in Seattle on June 27, 2023. The delivery was taken by specialist Virgin Australia flight crew and flew all the way to Brisbane.
VH-8IA or ‘Monkey Mia’, named after one of the water bodies in Australia, is one of 33 MAX family aircraft that will join the Virgin Australia fleet in the next five years. In addition to eight 737-8s, Virgin Australia has 25 x 737-10s that are yet to be certified on order for delivery starting from next year.
“These new aircraft will allow us to grow capacity and support more efficient jet services. And importantly, they will reduce emissions by at least 15% per flight compared to the 737-800 NG fleet, supporting our commitment to targeting net zero emissions by 2050,” commented Stuart Aggs, Virgin Australia Chief Operations Office. “The airline’s simplified 737 fleet, which is one of the youngest commercial fleets in Australia with an average age of 11.7 years. This aircraft, which has a longer range than the 737-800 NG, will shortly join our new Cairns-Haneda route, which is taking off for the first time today, elevating travel between Tokyo and Far North Queensland.”
Monkey Mia will eventually fly on the Cairns-Haneda route.