MAX 8-200 Breaks 100 ASM/Gallon; Changes the Game

Based on the most recent DOT T2 dataset, we at last get a peek at the MAX 8-200 fuel burn. And it is very impressive. No wonder Ryanair went for the model. Its fuel efficiency puts it in striking distance of the market-leading A321neo. A321neo Sets the pace Our metric is ASM/gallon, and with the latest aircraft generation, the magic 100 ASM/gallon line has been crossed. This is the new benchmark for the next generation to beat by 15% of more. The table below provides data through 3Q25. The aircraft are listed in descending order of fuel burn, with the most efficient at the top. [caption id="attachment_186801" align="aligncenter" width="580"] US DOT T2; AirInsight[/caption] MAX 8-200 Shines The clue that something is up is in the 2025 column for the 7M8 (MAX 8). What's behind that jump from 2024? The following table offers a clue and also shows poor DOT quality control. The good news: Allegiant is the only US airline operating the MAX 8-200. At 104.1 ASM/Gallon (a figure we deem credible), the model is close to matching the A321neo. The not good news: The Southwest Airlines ASM/Gallon for the MAX 8 is not credible. We find the airline frequently misfiles the fuel numbers for its MAX 8 and 737-800 aircraft. This causes data chaos, and despite regular notes to the airline and DOT Office of Airline Information, nothing gets done to fix it. [caption id="attachment_186802" align="aligncenter" width="580"] US DOT T2; AirInsight[/caption] Southwest Airlines and the DOT's Poor Data Quality Control For the skeptics, here's our evidence that Southwest screws this up again and again. A simple audit shows that data filing quality at the airline is not taken as seriously as it should be. But worse, the DOT's OAI to date shows little concern about this. Despite misfilings being subject to a huge fine. We've been here before. [caption id="attachment_186803" align="aligncenter" width="580"] US DOT T2; AirInsight[/caption] Summary The 737 MAX 8-200 offers superb fuel burn and is close to the A321neo in performance. Allegiant's decision to switch to this model makes perfect sense, and with its recent acquisition of Sun Country, we expect to see more of these models in the expanded fleet. For an LCC, the MAX 8-200 offers industry-leading fuel efficiency that the A320neo and even A220 cannot match. Akasa Air's selection of the MAX 8-200 is almost certainly going to enable that airline to disrupt the Indian market, too. Ryanair is already doing this in Europe.

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