Greater Bay Airlines becomes Hong Kong’s first MAX airline with the arrival of its first Boeing 737 MAX 9
November 27, 2025
Greater Bay Airlines has become Hong Kong’s first Boeing 737 MAX operator with the arrival of its first 737 MAX 9 from the US manufacturer.
The aircraft left Boeing’s Renton facility near Seattle on 20 November heading for its new home via technical stops in Kailua Kona (KOA) in Hawaii and Guam (GUM).
Hong Kong’s first Boeing 737 MAX arrives
With the long delivery flight behind it, the new aircraft with registration B-KWA landed at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) on 22 November.
The arrival marked the first time that any Hong Kong-based airline had operated any iteration of the Boeing 737 MAX family.
The aircraft has already entered service, operating the airline’s regular passenger flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok in Thailand from 25 November.
The first of 15 Boeing 737 MAX 9s for GBA
The new aircraft is the first of an order for 15 Boeing 737 MAX 9s that the airline placed with the US planemaker in March 2023.
At the time of the order, the airline said that the 737 MAX 9 would form the future backbone of its single-aisle fleet, with an additional order for five Boeing 787 Dreamliners also being placed at the same time.
Having commenced operations in July 2022, the airline has so far built up a fleet of seven 189-seat Boeing 737-800s with an average age of 8.5 years.
The arrival of the MAX 9 variant brings the fleet to eight aircraft, with the next MAX 9 (to be registered B-KWB) due for delivery in early 2026.
Greater Bay Airlines is currently operating scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok, Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai, Sapporo, Manila, Phu Quoc, Zhoushan, Huangshan, Yichang, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Quanzhou, Xuzhou, Datong and Enshi, with its fleet of Boeing 737s.
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GBA offers Premium Class for the first time
Unlike the other aircraft in the Greater Bay Airlines fleet, the new MAX 9 aircraft will feature a two-class cabin configuration and will include an upgraded on-board product, to be known as ‘Premium Class’, in the forward section of the aircraft.
This, claims the airline, is a first for any carrier operating the type across Asia.
There are eight Premium Class seats and 189 seats in economy class, bringing the total capacity to 198 passengers. On board the MAX 9, Premium Class passengers will be treated to a “suite of prestigious services and privileges will be offered to provide a superior travel experience,” said an airline statement.
These services will include “spacious cradle-style seats, complimentary exquisite meals and beverages, individual power and USB outlets, priority baggage, check-in and boarding privileges, and enhanced baggage allowance,” added the airline.
Greater Bay Airlines welcomes its new arrival
Upon the aircraft’s arrival in Hong Kong, a ceremony was held at Hong Kong International Airport, where members of the airline’s stakeholders and industry partners were hosted by the Greater Bay Airlines’ senior leadership team.
Receiving the new plane on behalf of Greater Bay Airlines, the company’s chairman, Wong Cho Bau, said, “GBA commenced service more than three years ago, and our network continues to grow as we actively explore new destinations to meet market demand.”
“At present, our scheduled and seasonal services cover more than 20 destinations across Asia and the Chinese Mainland. With this new aircraft model, we are also introducing the Premium Class to enhance passengers’ travel experience with a suite of prestigious and thoughtful services.”
Enhanced passenger experience on the 737 MAX 9
The airline added that the new design of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft features 20% larger windows for brighter views, energy-efficient LED mood lighting for a relaxing atmosphere, and spacious pivoting overhead compartments that provide more room for carry-on baggage.
Additionally, the new 737 variant in the fleet will help the airline advance its sustainability goals, the carrier added. “Designed with the environment in mind, the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft meets CAEP/8 standards for emissions, reduces community noise by 50%, and achieves a 16% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption compared to earlier models.
Greater Bay Airlines’ vision for growth
Wong Cho Bau concluded saying that the airline was committed to offering a safe, reliable, and value-for-money service to those travelling to and from Hong Kong or transiting through the city.
“Leveraging Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world, the airline persistently supports the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as an international aviation hub,” he said.
Featured image: Greater Bay Airlines
