This is a firm contract, and there is an option for another 60 Boeing 737 MAX
The Lufthansa Group today announced the purchase of 80 state-of-the-art short- and medium-haul aircraft. These include 40 Boeing 737 MAX: this is the first purchase of American narrow-body aircraft by a German air carrier in 28 years Boeing.
The group's supervisory board approved a firm order for 40 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, but there is an option for another 60 aircraft. In addition to them, 40 Airbus A220-300 aircraft will be purchased (with an option for another 20 aircraft). The airline also confirmed an option for 40 Airbus A320neo.
Lufthansa was one of the launch customers for the first B737-100, with the company ordering 21 aircraft in 1965. The next order, for a Boeing 737-300, was placed in 1995, and the last Boeing 737CL was taken out of service in 2016. Since then, the Lufthansa Group (which includes Lufthansa Airlines, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings) has operated only European narrow-body aircraft.
Dr. Detlef Kayser, Member of the Executive Board for Fleet and Technology, commented on the decisions taken: «With today's order, we are accelerating the largest fleet modernization in our history companies. This increases our order list from about 200 aircraft to 280. We are pleased that both Airbus and Boeing were able to convince us on all commercial and technological aspects. In addition to this, the decision on the Boeing 737-8 MAX will also give us more flexibility in the procurement of short- and medium-haul aircraft in the future. The new ultra-modern aircraft will provide our passengers with additional comfort».