Boeing delivered on Tuesday (16) the first new-generation 737 MAX airliner. The aircraft, a 737 MAX 8, was received by members of Malindo Air, a Malaysian airline, at the Seattle-based manufacturer’s headquarters. The aircraft is expected to start the commercial service between the end of this month and the beginning of June.
“This aircraft will change the face of the single-aisle market,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Kevin McAllister. The main competitor of the 737 MAX is the Airbus A320neo, which has been is service since January 2016.
The main new features of the 737 MAX are CFM International’s LEAP-1B engines and redesigned winglets at the wing tips. According to Boeing, these technologies deliver 20% less fuel consumption than the previous generation, the 737 NG. Boeing says the new aircraft is 8% more efficient than its rival A320neo.
The development of the MAX series, the fourth generation of the 737, was launched in 2011 and the jet flew for the first time in January 2016. In addition to the 737 MAX 8, the new aircraft family still comprises versions 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 9. There are also studies on the 737 MAX 10, the largest version of the 737 already proposed, for up to 220 passengers.
Boeing already has a list of more than 3,600 orders for the 737 MAX, from 83 customers worldwide.
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