Boeing today rolled out newest addition to its single aisle passenger aircraft family, the Boeing 737 MAX from its Renton final assembly li...
Boeing today rolled out newest addition to its single aisle passenger aircraft family, the Boeing 737 MAX from its Renton final assembly line in Washington.
The 737 MAX is the result of a second major revamp and upgrade to its workhorse 737, which was first introduced 50 years back.
The 737 MAX family of airplanes offers airlines improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions and noise while extending the 737’s reputation for reliability and retaining commonalities with the current 737 fleet.
The freshly painted 737 MAX 8, named the Spirit of Renton, was revealed to employees in a special teal version of the Boeing livery. After celebrations are complete, the airplane will undergo pre-flight preparation in the factory before departing for Renton Field to continue flight test readiness.
Boeing claims the 737 MAX will offer 20 percent better fuel efficiency than the current 737 NG variant due to its lower weight, new engine and aerodynamic improvements, and up to 8 percent lower operating cost than its European competitor Airbus A320neo.
Key to its fuel efficiency is the tailor made CFM LEAP-1B turbofan engine along with the AT winglets that reduce fuel burn by 1.8 percent.
The 737 MAX offers up to 40 percent smaller operational noise footprint and approximately 50 percent lower nitrogen oxide emissions than the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection limits.
The new airplane can fly more than 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 kilometers), an increase of 405 to 580 nmi (750 to 1,074 km) over the 737 NG.
The 737 MAX family include the 737 MAX 7, MAX 8, MAX 200 and MAX 9, which can seat from 126 to 220 passengers. The MAX 200, based on the 737 MAX 8 can accommodate up to 200 seats in single class configuration.
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| CFM LEAP-1B engine |
With the second and third 737 MAX 8 flight test airplanes currently in final assembly and the fourth (and final) in sub-assembly, the program is on track for maiden flight in early 2016.
Launch customer Southwest Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of the first 737 MAX in the third quarter of 2017. The MAX family has received nearly 3,000 orders from 60 customers worldwide.
But rival Airbus A320neo is two years ahead of MAX. The neo has achieved joint FAA and EASA certification in November 2015 and is scheduled for maiden delivery to launch customer Qatar Airways later this month.
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| AT Winglet |
Future competitors include the Canadian Bombardier CS300, Russian Irkut MC-21 and the Chinese COMAC C919 single aisle jetliners.
