Eastar Jet, based in South Korea, signed a LOI to lease two B737 MAX 8s from December 2018. The aircraft are equipped with CFM LEAP-1B engines.

The airline is expected to return sole leased B737-700, serial 1474, from 2H 2018, as future plans will focus on the B737-800, B737-900ER, and now MAX 8s.

Eastar Jet is eyeing routes to Vietnam and Japan with the new aircraft, with additional plans to place the aircraft on similar long distance routes.