The newest version of Boeing’s 737, the Max 7, rolled out of the hangar in Renton, Washington, on Monday, Boeing has announced. The jet is the third member of the Max family, and has the longest range, up to 3,850 NM, a boost of 1,000 NM over its predecessor, the 737-700. The Max 7 single-aisle cabin holds 172 passengers, and lowers fuel costs by 18 percent per seat, compared to the 700, says Boeing. “For our airline customers serving airports at high altitudes or remote locations, the Max 7 is the ideal complement to their fleet,” saidKeith Leverkuhn, general manager of the 737 Max program. “This is the third 737 Max family member our team has successfully introduced in just three years.”
The first Max 7 will now undergo system checks, fueling and engine runs on the flight line inRenton, and then will begin its flight-test program in the coming weeks. The Max 7 is scheduled to enter service in 2019, with first delivery to Southwest Airlines. The 737 Max family aims to provide lower per-seat costs and an extended range compared to competitors, Boeing said. The Max 8 entered service last year, and the Max 9 will start deliveries this year. The Max 10 was launched at last year’s Paris Air Show and is scheduled to enter service in 2020. Boeing says the 737 Max is the fastest-selling airplane in its history, with more than 4,300 orders from 92 customers worldwide.
