Earlier this month, Boeing (www.boeing.com) and Air China celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first 737 MAX 8.

The airline is the first in the country to receive the 737 MAX, although customers throughout China will take delivery of nearly 100 of these aircraft by the end of next year.

Rick Anderson, vice-president of sales (Northeast Asia) for Boeing commercial airplanes, said: “Air China has been a
valued customer for decades.

"This delivery marks another significant milestone in our enduring partnership. We are confident that the 737 MAX 8 will play a key role in Air China’s continued growth.”

Air China’s fleet includes seven Boeing 747-8s, 26 777-300ERs, 11 787-9 Dreamliners and more than 140 Next-Generation 737s.

The 737 MAX, which incorporates the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines and ‘advanced technology’ winglets, is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 3,900 orders to date from 92 customers world-wide.