I’m not sure whether to be surprised by this move or not…
IAG allocates Boeing 737 MAX order to Vueling
In 2022, International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling, placed an order for at least 50 Boeing 737 MAXs. This includes 25 737 MAX 8-200s (the 737 MAX 8, but with an extra exit, to allow for increased capacity) and 25 737 MAX 10s (the largest variant of the 737 MAX, which hasn’t yet been certified). On top of that, there are options for 100 more aircraft.
At the time, the airline group didn’t allocate those planes to any specific airline, but instead, that allocation was only going to happen at a later point. The 737 MAX order was interesting, since up until that point, all IAG carriers exclusively operated Airbus A320-family aircraft. However, as we know, IAG is also an opportunistic buyer, and presumably scored a deal.
There’s now an interesting update, as IAG has revealed that it has allocated its order for 50 737 MAXs to Spanish ultra low cost carrier Vueling. The airline is expected to start taking delivery of those planes as of late 2026.
For context, Vueling’s fleet currently consists of nearly 140 Airbus A320-family aircraft, including the A319, A320, A320neo, A321, and A321neo. The airline has roughly an additional 35 Airbus planes on order, between A320neos and A321neos.
I’m curious how this fleet transition works out
I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising that IAG is allocating these 737 MAXs to Vueling, given that the airline group ordered the 737 MAX 8-200, which is primarily used by ultra low cost carriers (given its higher capacity, due to the extra emergency exit). Then again, I wouldn’t have put it past British Airways to also fly 737 MAX 8-200s, so… 😉
I think what does surprise me a bit is that it sounds like Vueling will be going for a mixed Airbus and Boeing fleet. In other words, it’s not that the airline is gradually retiring Airbus planes and eventually moving to an all-Boeing fleet, as the airline is also taking delivery of new A320neos and A321neos.
I suppose that both the Airbus and Boeing fleets could be big enough in the long run that there are economies of scale, and having a mixed fleet isn’t bad for Vueling’s bottom line, especially since I assume IAG got a great deal on these aircraft. Still, it’s surprisingly rare to see this.
Looking at IAG, this does still leave the question of what Aer Lingus’ long term short haul fleet renewal looks like. The airline has 27 A320s and seven A320neos, with only one additional A320neo on order. You’d think the airline would be due for more planes, but I suppose Aer Lingus’ position in IAG is similar to Austrian’s position in Lufthansa Group (which is to say the companies don’t get as much attention as they deserve).
Bottom line
A few years ago, IAG placed an order for Boeing 737 MAXs, though didn’t state which airline in the group would be getting the planes. It has now been revealed that these jets are headed to Vueling, the group’s Spanish low cost carrier.
I suppose that’s not too surprising, though it is interesting to see an ultra low cost carrier intentionally going for a split fleet, since that’s quite rare.
What do you make of Vueling taking delivery of Boeing 737 MAXs?
