Norwegian startup carrier Flyr has taken delivery of the first out of six Boeing 737 MAX jets. The aircraft, registered as LN-FGF, flew from Boeing's facilities in Seattle to Oslo Gardemoen Airport on Tuesday, February 22nd. The plane, a 737 MAX 8, took off at 10:14 local time and landed close to nine and a half hours later at 04:37 on Wednesday morning, having traveled from the US East Coast across Canada, Greenland, and Iceland.

The newcomer on the Scandinavian airline scene signed a lease agreement for six MAX 8 jets in October last year. It is planning to have taken delivery of all of them by the end of the year. However, the deal, penned with American lessor Air Lease Corporation (ALC), also leaves options open for an additional four of the type, which would take Flyr's 737 MAX fleet up to a well-rounded ten jets.

This is the first time since the model's grounding that a Norwegian airline will operate the MAX. Rebounding established budget competitor Norwegian Air decided not to bring the 737 MAX along for its restructuring journey following a near-collapse brought on by heavy debts and the ongoing industry crisis.

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Photo: Getty Images

Growing European network for summer 2022

Flyr commenced commercial operations in June last year. The first international flight went to Nice, Alicante, and Malaga on August 21st. It now operates a fleet of five leased Boeing 737-800s. The airline currently has six domestic routes from Oslo Gardemoen and operates to over 20 European destinations.

However, it intends to grow the network with several cities for the summer 2022 season, offering 44 routes to 38 destinations. In the carrier's fourth-quarter report from 2021, its Chief Executive Officer Tonje Wikstrøm Frislid commented on the first six months of operations.

“Flyr is progressing according to plan, and we have been very well received in the market. We are very happy with the development and after a period heavily influenced by Omicron and government-imposed restrictions, we are now prepared for the summer season.”

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ALC has placed another large order for 737 MAX aircraft this year. Photo: Boeing

Renewed confidence and demand for the MAX

Despite continued woes over the 787 Dreamliner program, Boeing's deliveries have surged over the past 12 months compared to the year before. In 2021, the company handed over 340 jets, in contrast to only 157 in 2020. Deliveries were led by the MAX, which could finally begin flying again after a nearly two-year-long ban.

Customer confidence in the MAX also soared, with the planemaker clocking more than 700 orders for the jet. This included a big blow for Airbus as its previously loyal customer Allegiant Air opted for 50 of the type. Meanwhile, ALC, the lessor behind Flyr's MAX acquisition, has ordered an additional 50 already this year, expecting that the demand for the aircraft will continue to grow.

Have you had the opportunity to fly with Flyr yet? What was your experience? Do you think the MAX is the right aircraft for the airline? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.