Southwest nears big jet deal in boost to smallest Boeing Max

Southwest is closing in on a large order for Boeing’s 737 Max 7 jetliners after weighing a rival Airbus model, according to people familiar with the matter. The talks have been underway for months and are in the final stages as the largest Max customer prepares to resume flights with the plane Thursday, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are confidential. Southwest is studying a deal in the range of 150 to 200 firm orders and commitments for the jet, one of the people said Wednesday. The Dallas-based carrier has determined that it may eventually need a fleet of about 300 aircraft to replace the Boeing model at the heart of its operation, the 737-700, the people said. In addition to the Max 7, Southwest also considered ordering Airbus’s A220-300, a move that would have diversified the airline’s all-737 fleet and severed its exclusive relationship with Boeing. For the US planemaker, retaining Southwest would represent an important victory as the Max returns to the skies. <br/>