Virgin 737 changes
 

737-700s moving to VARA
Additional 4 737-max 8 ordered
First 737-max 8 in Feb, first Max 10 Mid 2023, on completion of deliveries fleet will be 108 Boeing 737s (75 Boeing 737-800s, eight Boeing 737 MAX 8s, and 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10s).

Does anyone know where the first VA MAX8 VH-8IA currently is.
Also i guess they are being leased .The first one is due next month so it has to be in assembly somewhere.

I don't know the answer to your question Lloyd but do you know if the other three in the initial tranche of four B737 MAX 8s for Virgin Australia are to have VH-8IB, 8IC and 8ID as their registration?

Yes that was posted on here James by someone a few month ago.:)

Thanks Lloyd. Yes. Found it. Post #1248 of the VA/TT Fleet Departures thread dated 15/9/22. Thank you Yusef for providing this information.

I believe the MAX's may be coming from another carrier who are no longer taking any and may already have been built .We should know more very soon.

Bonza lol

Given China Aircraft Leasing Company which is the actual Boeing company customer with 65 orders I wouldn’t be surprised if they were originally heading to a Chinese airline.

Yes good deducting there Mark thanks.:)

Only 220 undelivered MAX 8's in the US atm! Some forums are saying might not be painted until late Feb/early March, but just speculation as always...

According to Australian Executive Traveller

Executive Traveller exclusive

Virgin Australia expects to take delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX jet in April, with two more to follow around the middle of the year and a fourth by year’s end.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson confirmed the airline’s Boeing 737 MAX delivery schedule to Executive Traveller, saying “we are looking forward to taking delivery of eight new 737-8 aircraft, with the first expected to arrive in just a few months.”

“These aircraft will allow us to add capacity into the market at a time of extremely high demand, allowing more Australians to access great value and choice when they choose to fly. “

rzjets reporting the first max to be msn 65045 ln 8604

Can confirm VH-8IA will be sn 65045

Guys, should we set up a thread for VA MAX8 Arrivals similar to the QQ E190 thread so that all the stuff is together ?

Yup.

Hopefully it will be a long one as Max 8s then eventually Max 10s turn up.

I agree

Factory photos emerging of what will be 8IA... I'm kinda surprised it's factory fresh, as opposed to a Not Taken Up airframe such as Bonza are taking.

There aren't many if not any NTU frames left, they were all snapped up pretty much immediately following the return to service. Contrary to what many media outlets want to believe, Boeing has not had a lot of issues with selling MAX frames.

There are however 9 frames whose owners (mostly Chinese) are yet to take delivery, that may change soon as China restarts max flights