Neos, the airline for Italian travel agency the Alpitour Group, has taken delivery of two new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The new aircraft arrived in Milan from Seattle this week. Two more MAX will join the airline later this month, bringing the airline’s all-Boeing fleet to a total of 15 aircraft.

On March 31st, at 13:36 local time, one of Neos new 737 MAX 8 aircraft, registration EI-RZA touched down at Milan Malpensa airport. Two minutes later, the aircraft registered as EI-RZB touched down, joining the Neos fleet. The two aircraft have been given the names “Marco Polo” and “Christopfo Colombo,” respectively.

The two new additions departed Boeing in Seattle just after 16:00 PDT on Tuesday, March 30th. Both aircraft then flew directly to Glasgow, landing on the morning of March 31st for a technical stopover and refueling. The planes stayed in Glasgow only one hour before departing at just after 10:00. The two aircraft arrived in Milan within minutes of each other in the early afternoon.

Later this month, two more MAX aircraft will join the growing fleet, registrations EI-RZC and EI-RZD. With a total of four new MAX aircraft, the airline’s fleet will stand at 15 aircraft consisting of six 787-9 Dreamliners, five 737-800NGs, and the four new MAX 8 aircraft.

The order was originally placed for the four aircraft back in 2017 at the Paris Air Show. The two aircraft are being leased by Neos from leasing company ICBC Aviation Leasing.

Both aircraft had stopovers in Glasgow for refueling before heading on it Milan. Source: RadarBox.com

What will the new MAX be used for?

The airline's new aircraft are configured with 186 single-class seats. They feature the new Boeing Sky Interior with LED lighting, large overhead luggage compartments, and the new design sidewalls for additional space. The fuel-efficient aircraft offer a 15% reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions.

The airline will likely use its new 737 MAX 8 on short and medium-haul routes across Europe to Greece and the Balearics and on domestic operations. The airline is looking to use the aircraft to offer a good customer experience over the summer months as the aviation industry looks to recover from the past year.

Neos Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner EI-NEU
The airline will likely keep its new MAX within Europe and fly its Dreamliners to the US if it gets approval. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Neos' investment for a strong future

With four new MAX aircraft ready to take on the summer traffic, the airline’s Dreamliners could be ready to head across the Atlantic and start operating routes to the US. Simple Flying has already reported that the airline has filed an application for the right to fly to the US. As seen by the new aircraft’s arrival route via Glasgow, the MAX doesn’t have the range to complete this long-range flight. But the airlines’ six Dreamliner certainly do.

With flights to the US pending and brand-new MAX aircraft ready to operate intra-European flights, Neos could be poised for strategic growth. With Air Italy already gone under and Alitalia struggling to stay above water, Neos is well-positioned to take advantage of a travel increase.

What do you think of Neos' new MAX delivery? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.