#boeingfans

Boeing 767-300 LAN Airlines

Registration: CC-CXE Type: 767-316ER Engines: 2 × GE CF6-80C2B7F Serial Number: 35696 First flight: May 26, 2008

After receiving its first 767s in 1986, LAN continued to grow its fleet, adding new aircraft as its route network and passenger traffic expanded. The transition from the 767-200ER to the more spacious "three-hundreds" occurred gradually throughout the 1990s. It was facilitated both by the market's general shift toward larger twin-engine wide-body aircraft and LAN's specific needs to expand capacity on key routes.

The most intensive period of 767 fleet expansion came in the mid-2000s. LAN then ordered 12 Boeing 767-300s for the first time and continued to grow the fleet in subsequent years. This was a time of active expansion for the airline, when LAN was creating subsidiaries in other Latin American countries (LAN Peru, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador) and significantly expanded its international route network.

In February 2011, LAN Airlines ordered three additional 767-300ERs, bringing the total number of aircraft ordered to 33. By this point, its fleet numbered 28 Boeing 767-300ER aircraft and 11 cargo 767-300Fs.

This 2011 order became one of LAN's last major Boeing 767 orders before its merger with Brazilian TAM Airlines in 2012. At the time of the merger, LAN Airlines operated one of the largest Boeing 767 fleets among Latin American carriers. These aircraft became the backbone of the long-haul operations of the merged LATAM Airlines Group.

Boeing 737-800 Delta Air Lines

Registration: N3773D Type: 737-832 Engines: 2 × CFMI CFM56-7B26 Serial Number: 30825 First flight: Jul 1, 2010

Boeing 737-900 Delta Air Lines

Registration: N852DN Type: 737-932ER Engines: 2 × CFMI CFM56-7B27E Serial Number: 31963 First flight: Jan 13, 2016

Delta Air Lines, established in 1925, is one of the world’s largest airlines and a major operator of the Boeing 737 family of aircraft. The introduction of Boeing 737 aircraft into Delta’s fleet began in the 1980s with the use of classic models from this family. However, a significant breakthrough in operations occurred with the adoption of Next Generation (NG) models—Boeing 737-800 and -900ER—which became the backbone for medium-haul flights.

The Boeing 737-800 entered service with Delta in 1998, followed by the more advanced Boeing 737-900ER in 2013. With improved fuel efficiency and greater passenger capacity, these models replaced outdated aircraft such as the Boeing 727 and MD-80.

Boeing 737 aircraft constitute a significant portion of Delta’s fleet for medium-haul routes. These aircraft serve flights from the airline’s key hubs, including Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Seattle. Their versatility enables Delta to efficiently manage both high-demand routes and flights with moderate passenger traffic. For instance, the Boeing 737-800 is frequently deployed on popular domestic routes such as Atlanta–Orlando or Los Angeles–Seattle, while the Boeing 737-900ER operates longer routes, including flights to Mexico and Central America.

The Boeing 737-800 and -900ER are vital components of Delta Air Lines’ fleet, striking a balance between economic efficiency and passenger comfort. These aircraft enable the airline to maintain an extensive route network, optimize operational costs, and meet the modern demands of the aviation industry. Amid growing competition and Delta’s commitment to sustainable development, the Boeing 737 will continue to play a pivotal role in the airline’s strategy, reinforcing its position as a leader in global aviation.

Boeing 777-300 Transaero

Registration: EI-XLP Type: 777-312 Engines: 2 × RR Trent 892-17 Serial Number: 28531 First flight: Sep 10, 1999

Transaero was established on November 5, 1991. During a transformative period in Russia, marked by the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the transition to a market economy, new opportunities emerged for private enterprises. Unlike the state-owned Aeroflot, Transaero positioned itself as an independent carrier focused on innovation and customer-centric service. Its initial flights were operated on leased Il-86 and Tu-154 aircraft, primarily serving charter routes such as Moscow–Tel Aviv and Moscow–Kyiv.

By the early 2000s, Transaero introduced Boeing 767 and Boeing 747 aircraft, solidifying its role in long-haul routes. The Boeing 737 series became the workhorses for regional and medium-haul flights, offering flexibility in the route network. The airline also operated Russian-made Tu-214 and Tu-204 aircraft, supporting domestic aviation manufacturing.

By 2010, Transaero’s route network spanned over 250 destinations across Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. The airline became a leader in popular tourist destinations such as Turkey, Egypt, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic.

A prominent place in the fleet was held by the Boeing 777-300, introduced in 2012. These wide-body aircraft, previously operated by Singapore Airlines, offered a high level of comfort with spacious cabins and ergonomic seating. They served key international routes, including Moscow–New York, Moscow–Bangkok, and Moscow–Punta Cana, reinforcing Transaero’s reputation as a world-class carrier.

Despite its successes, Transaero began facing financial challenges in 2014. Efforts to restructure and secure investors, including negotiations with Aeroflot for a potential acquisition, were unsuccessful. In October 2015, Rosaviatsia revoked Transaero’s operating certificate, leading to the cessation of flights. Transaero’s closure marked the largest bankruptcy in Russian aviation history, sparking widespread public discussion.

Boeing 737-900 United Airlines

Registration: N69810 Type: 737-924ER Engines: 2 × CFMI CFM56-7B27E Serial Number: 42744 First flight: Dec 8, 2013

United Airlines, Inc. is a major airline in the United States headquartered at the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. United operates an extensive domestic and international route network across the United States and all six inhabited continents primarily out of its eight hubs, with Chicago–O'Hare having the largest number of daily flights. United was formed by the amalgamation of several airlines, the oldest of these being Varney Air Lines, created in 1926 by Walter Varney who later co-founded the predecessor to Continental Airlines. In 1997, United became one of the five founding airlines of Star Alliance. Since its merger with Continental in 2010, United consistently ranks as one of the world's largest airlines.

Boeing 737-200 Aero Asia International

Registration: EX-632 Type: 737-2T5 Adv Engines: 2 × PW JT8D-15 Serial Number: 22632 First flight: Feb 22, 1982

Aero Asia International was created to make air travel accessible to Pakistanis and meet the growing demand for regional connectivity. The airline positioned itself as a budget carrier, promising affordable fares without compromising service quality. Its operational hub in Karachi, Pakistan’s economic center, provided strategic access to both domestic and international markets.

By the late 1990s, Aero Asia had solidified its presence in the regional aviation market. Its low-cost model resonated with price-sensitive travelers. Cargo services also generated a steady client base, transporting goods to trade hubs in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Despite early successes, Aero Asia faced significant obstacles. Fluctuating fuel prices, maintenance expenses for an aging fleet, strained Aero Asia’s finances. Additionally, Pakistan’s aviation sector was subject to stringent oversight, and the airline struggled to consistently meet the safety and service standards of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).

The final chapter of Aero Asia’s story unfolded in 2007. The PCAA, citing repeated violations of safety standards and passenger service quality, suspended the airline’s Air Operator Certificate in May 2007. On May 19, 2007, Aero Asia International ceased operations, concluding its 14-year journey.

Boeing 737-800 Sun Country Airlines

Registration: N813SY Type: 737-8Q8 Engines: 2 × CFMI CFM56-7B26 Serial Number: 28237 First flight: Jan 29, 2001

Sun Country Airlines was established in July 1982 by a group of former Braniff International Airways employees, which ceased operations in May of that year. Among its founders were pilots and flight attendants who, after losing their jobs following Braniff’s collapse, aimed to create a new airline focused on leisure charter services. The initiative was led by Ken Sundmark, who, alongside Bob Daniels, co-founder of Mainline Travel Inc., proposed the idea of a charter carrier. Captain Jim Olsen played a key role in the founding, becoming the first president and CEO of the airline, as well as its chief pilot. His wife, Joan Smith-Olsen, took on the roles of senior flight attendant and head of flight operations, significantly contributing to the development of the company’s operational structure. Sun Country’s first flight took place on January 20, 1983, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Las Vegas, Nevada, using a leased Boeing 727-200. The initial workforce consisted of just 36 employees: 16 pilots, 16 flight attendants, three mechanics, and one office worker.

In the 1990s, Sun Country began transitioning from solely charter services to scheduled flights, launching regular services from Minneapolis to major U.S. cities in 1995. In 1999, the airline was acquired by a Minnesota-based investment group led by William La Macchia Sr., after which it officially became a scheduled carrier, competing with Northwest Airlines. This period saw the expansion of its route network to include international destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.

As of March 2025, Sun Country’s fleet comprised 46 passenger and 15 cargo Boeing 737-800 aircraft, serving approximately 140 destinations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Sun Country Airlines occupies a unique niche in the U.S. aviation industry, balancing three business segments: scheduled passenger services (70% of revenue), charter flights (20%), and cargo operations (10%). This hybrid model enables efficient resource allocation, crew management, and aircraft utilization across segments, minimizing seasonal revenue fluctuations.