The second member of Boeing's 737 MAX new generation single aisle passenger jet fleet, the MAX 9 has achieved first flight from Bo...
The aircraft which was rolled out in March 2017, is currently the largest aircraft in the MAX family, with 16 more seats than the smaller MAX 8 and offers 7 per cent lower trip cost than the competitor.
The airplane completed a successful 2 hour, 42-minute flight, taking off from Renton Field in Renton, Wash., at 10:52 a.m. local time and landing at 1:34 p.m. at Seattle's Boeing Field.
Piloted by Boeing Test & Evaluation Capts. Christine Walsh and Ed Wilson, the airplane performed tests on flight controls, systems and handling qualities. The MAX 9 will now undergo comprehensive flight testing before customer deliveries begin in 2018.
The MAX 9 boasts a range of 3515 nautical miles (6510 km), which Boeing claims to be 600 miles (1100 km) more range than the competitor.
The 737 MAX 8 is on track for deliver to Norwegian Air Shuttle and Southwest Airlines, in the second quarter of 2017. Both variants will be followed in 2019 by the smaller MAX 7 and higher capacity MAX 200.
Boeing #737Max 9 rises into sky over Lake Washington, 50 years and five days after 737-100 first flight from Boeing Field. pic.twitter.com/DTtIfo9YFm— Stephen Trimble (@FG_STrim) April 13, 2017
