Flight Testing Should Begin Soon After First Public Display

The public will get its first look at a Boeing 737 MAX airplane on December 8th, marking a significant milestone towards the onset of flight testing.

If that flight testing goes well, delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines is planned for the third quarter of 2017. Southwest has a large number of 737 MAX airplanes on order from Boeing.

The Puget Sound Business Journal reports that the delivery date is an indication of how well developement of the newest single-aisle variant has been progressing. Boeing had originally planned to deliver the first 737 MAX in 2019, but is now looking at putting the airplane into service nearly two years ahead of that original schedule. 

Another factor is competition. Boeing has been marketing the new 737 against the A320neo from Airbus. That airplane was certified by the FAA and EASA last week, and deliveries are expected to begin this month.

Boeing has opened a third production line to accommodate the orders it has for the 737 MAX, which will have larger but more efficient engines than current models. The company had to extend front landing gear in order to accommodate the larger engines. Boeing says it has also updated the cockpit of the airplane to be similar to that of the Dreamliner.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.boeing.com