Engineering C 2016/7: Boeing 737-Max Series

Boeing 737 Max Series

Boeing's 737 Max series lineup

With the success of Boeing's 737 family aircraft, Boeing's competitor Airbus has launched a revamped class of aircraft in their A320 family. Boeing is on the heels of its 737 Max series aircraft delivery date and Airbus who launched the new A320neo class to replace the older aircraft. Both aircraft offer better fuel efficiency, larger cabin, increased passenger capacity and longer range. Boeing is launching three variations of their new Max series aircraft, they are are the 737-Max 7, -Max 8, -Max 9. Airbus is also launching three variations of their new Neo series, the are A319neo, A320neo, and A321neo. Boeing's 737 family of aircraft has been the most successful selling aircraft in history. It is the backbone for major domestic carriers such as Southwest Airlines who operate the most 737s in the world. While Boeing's success has dwindled with the launch of Airbuses A320 family Boeing hopes to win back many airlines with the new release. There is one plane that Boeing can not directly compete with. This is Airbuses A321, with a maximum capacity of 220 people it directly competed with Boeing's old and discontinued 757 class of aircraft. The 757 was a medium to long-range narrow body aircraft which had capabilities to fly transatlantic routes. When Boeing discounted the 757 they left the market wide open for Airbus's A321. And with the A320neo long-range version that will be introduced in the next five years could promise the return of narrowbody transatlantic flights. Boeing's response to this is credible roomer that Boeing will launch a new variant of the new 737 Max series is a 737-Max 10. The new Max 10 would have a capacity of 270 passengers and a range of up to 5,000 nautical miles. Many speculate that this aircraft will open the doors for low coast carriers such as Southwest Airlines and JetBlue to operate low-cost transatlantic flights for a fraction of the price that major airlines charge.

US Airways A321 at Charlotte Intl.

US Airways A321 over North Carolina

Boeing hopes that this new series of aircraft will allow the company to grow already Southwest Airlines has placed an order for 170 737 Max 8 and 30 orders for the 737 Max 7. Southwest plans to replace the older 737's in their fleet and replace them with the Max series aircraft. Boeing has recently announced other major new aircraft such as the 747-8, and the new 777-8X and 777-9X which are long haul wide body planes capable of carrying up to 425 passengers. As new aircraft come off the lines in Everett Washington it seems that the planes get larger and more fuel efficient. With the introduction of newer and better aircraft passengers can rest easy knowing that their are safer and more reliable aircraft that are flying in the skies.