Boeing and SilkAir have finalised an order for 54 Next-Generation 737s and 737 MAX 8s worth US$4.9 billion (RM 15 billion) at list prices.

With this agreement, the 737 MAX has accumulated 969 orders to date, Boeing said in a statement here.

SilkAir’s order for 23 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s is the largest in the airline’s history and begins a fleet transition to Boeing airplanes.

"The capability of the 737s will enable us to spread our wings to even more destinations and increase capacity on existing routes," said SilkAir Chief Executive, Leslie Thng.

The Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX can fly farther than competing airplanes, enabling airlines to open new routes.

"As air travel in the Asia Pacific region continues to grow, we’re proud to support SilkAir as it plans to fly more passengers and serve more cities," said Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"Passengers will soon experience not only SilkAir’s award-winning service, but the comfort of the 737 Boeing Sky Interior," he added.

Both the Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX feature the Boeing Sky Interior, which highlights new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

The 737 MAX is a new-engine variant of the world's best-selling airplane and builds on the strength of today's Next-Generation 737.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 13 per cent fuel-use improvement over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes and an eight per cent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow's competition.

The SilkAir order brings the net year-to-date total for 737s ordered in 2012 to 1,031 airplanes.

This is the first time in the single-aisle jetliner’s history that it has logged more than 1,000 orders in a single year.

The 737 also broke its own record for net orders this past October when it topped the 2007 record of 846 orders.

SilkAir is a full-service airline and the regional wing of Singapore Airlines. It currently flies to 42 destinations across 12 countries.