Regional carrier SilkAir received its first 737-800 jet from Boeing on Monday afternoon (Pacific Time), marking a new chapter in its history.

The new narrow-body aircraft will depart from Seattle on Feb 9, and arrive in Singapore at 11.45am on Feb 12 via Honolulu, Majuro and Guam.

It is the first of 54 Boeing jets that will be delivered from now till about 2020 - SilkAir has ordered a total of 23 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s.

The full-service carrier is transitioning to an all-Boeing fleet to replace its current fleet of Airbus A320s and A319s.

Its new 737-800 will make its debut at the Singapore Airshow on Feb 14, before it enters service later this month on existing routes to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket and Medan.

The new aircraft will have mood lighting similar to Boeing's 787 series aircraft, more cabin storage space as well as in-seat power supply and audio.

SilkAir chief executive Leslie Thng said the 737 will provide a "more complete travel experience to our passengers". The full service carrier will receive eight 737-800s this year.

The regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir currently flies more than 350 weekly flights to 45 destinations in 12 countries.