As part of the last Paris Air Show in 2019 – due to the corona pandemic – the then IAG CEO Willie Walsh publicly announced a large order for the Boeing 737 Max. However, not the 200 machines promised at the time, but only 50 units are ordered.

As part of the Paris Air Show, Walsh did not sign a firm order, just a letter of intent. After that, things went quiet for a long time. Now Reuters reports that the International Airlines Group has ordered just 50 Boeing 737 Max. At the same time, negotiations are being held with Airbus about a larger order for the A320neo and A321neo types.

Willie Walsh is regarded as a fan of the Boeing 737 and, with the large order announced at the time, strengthened his back on the US aircraft manufacturer, which was in the middle of the worst crisis in the company's history. However, the planned large order within IAG was not without controversy, to say the least. The subsequent management team opted for a much smaller scope.

Historically, Gatwick was a Boeing 737 base. Walsh announced during the presentation in 2019 that British Airways will fly Boeing 737 Max from this airport. It was also said that the now defunct Level Europe should be converted to this type. The plans were not officially confirmed after Walsh's departure, but it is still considered highly likely that the current BA Euroflyer will be equipped with a uniform Boeing 737 Max fleet.