Editor’s note: To say it’s been one of those weeks would be akin to saying how would you like to spice your life up with Gastroenteritis and the side effects of it? I’m mostly recovered, but let’s be honest, it’s taken one heck of chunk out of me. We’ll be back to normal next week… whatever passes for normal at Economy Class and Beyond.
It’s been a busy week for the Boeing 737 MAX Family, as Boeing progresses with work on its updated version of the 737.
So in numerical order
737 MAX 8 obtains FAA Certification
One of the biggest hurdles to any project is the clearance for serial production and entry into commercial service. Boeing has cleared this with the US Federal Aviation Authority on the 9th March 2017 – allowing for deliveries of the 737 MAX 8 to proceed to its customers.
Boeing 737 MAX 8 taking off – Image (c) The Boeing Company
Norwegian Air Shuttle is the launch customer of the 737 MAX 8, closely followed by Southwest Airlines. Expect to see the 737 MAX flying commercially sooner rather than later (especially with Norwegian’s thin and long routes that are coming up)
Boeing 737 MAX 9 rolls out of the factory.
The first stretch of the updated Boeing 737 MAX has been formally revealed by Boeing its rollout on the 7th March – The 737 MAX 9
The Boeing 737 MAX 9 parked at the Renton Factory – Image (c) The Boeing Company
So, what’s different compared to the MAX 8? It’s a few meters longer (2.7 meters or 8 ft 10.3 inches). Those extra two and a bit meters give a maximum passenger capacity of 220 passengers with a range of 3,515 nautical miles.
After a rollout, the hard work begins to push towards the first flight of the plane No date has been given for first flight (which Boeing states is expected in a few weeks) – although the type is due to enter service in 2018.
Lion Air of Indonesia (along with its associated companies) is set to be the launch customer of the type.
Boeing 737 MAX 10X concept – a stretch too far?
Finally, there was an interesting release on Randy Randy Tinseth’s blog, with a rendering of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 making its first appearance.
Boeing 737 MAX 10 – Rendering (c) The Boeing Company.
This could be the most interesting of all the MAX aircraft that is coming out – and is seen as taking the fight to Airbus with its Airbus A321neoLR.
Boeing appears to be actively engaging its customers into looking at the aircraft according to the blog. Air Lease Capital want them a year ahead of its current development timetable (with planes to customers from March 2019).
No launch customer has been confirmed yet as this is still in development.
As well as the design considerations of a plane of this length will be its range – and if it can go toe-to-toe with the A321neoLR.
A busy week for the next generation of the Boeing 737 family indeed.
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