Tag Archives: 737 MAX 8

Boeing completes the 737 MAX 8 configuration

Boeing (Chicago) has completed the firm configuration of the 737 MAX 8. This milestone marks completion of the major trade studies that define the capabilities of the 737 MAX family.

As detailed designs are completed and released, production can begin. Final assembly of the 737 MAX 8 is scheduled to begin in 2015 with first delivery scheduled for the third quarter of 2017.

The 737 MAX will be 13 percent more fuel-efficient than today’s most efficient single-aisle airplanes and 8 percent more fuel-efficient per seat than tomorrow’s competition. The configuration includes new LEAP-1B engines from CFM International that are optimized for the 737 MAX, a redesigned tail cone and the Boeing designed Advanced Technology Winglet to reduce fuel use. Other changes incorporated include upgrades to the flight deck displays, an electronic bleed air system and fly-by-wire spoiler flight controls.

The 737 MAX family includes the 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9 and will serve the 100- to over 200-seat market. The 737 MAX will extend the Next-Generation 737 range advantage with the capability to fly more than 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 km), an increase of 400-540 nmi (741-1,000 km) over the Next-Generation 737. First delivery of the 737 MAX 9 is planned for 2018 followed by first delivery of the MAX 7 in 2019.

To date, the 737 MAX has accumulated orders for 1,495 airplanes.

Image: Boeing.

CIT Aerospace orders 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8s

CIT Group Inc. (CIT Aerospace) (New York) and Boeing today announced from the 2013 Paris Air Show that CIT Aerospace has placed an order for 30 737 MAX 8s.

As of March 31, 2013, CIT owned or financed a fleet of approximately 350 commercial aircraft, including operating lease and financing agreements in place for 128 Boeing aircraft.

Founded in 1908, CIT is a bank holding company with more than $35 billion in financing and leasing assets. It provides financing and leasing capital and advisory services to its clients and their customers across more than 30 industries. CIT maintains leadership positions in small business and middle market lending, factoring, retail finance, aerospace, equipment and rail leasing, and vendor finance. CIT also operates CIT Bank (Member FDIC), its primary bank subsidiary, which, through its online bank BankOnCIT.com, offers a suite of savings options designed to help customers achieve a range of financial goals

Image: Boeing. Pictured here is an image of the 737 MAX 8 in CIT livery (which has never has been painted).

Boeing Accelerates First Delivery of 737 MAX, cockpit revealed

Boeing (Chicago) announced today that first delivery of the 737 MAX 8 to launch customer Southwest Airlines (Dallas) will be a quarter earlier than originally scheduled – in the third quarter of 2017 instead of fourth quarter.

“Through our disciplined development on the 737 MAX program, the team has retired key technology risks,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager, Airplane Development, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, during a briefing at the 2013 Paris Air Show. “We have informed our customers and they are pleased they will be able to put these more fuel-efficient airplanes in their fleets sooner than planned.”

Since launch in August 2011, the 737 MAX team has worked to define the final configuration of the airplane including new LEAP-1B engines from CFM International, a redesigned tail cone and the Advanced Technology winglet. Testing in the wind tunnel and data analysis prove that the 737 MAX configuration, set to be final in July, will give customers a 13 percent fuel-burn improvement over today’s most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes.

The work done by Boeing has enabled the program to accelerate the 737 MAX schedule. “We continue to follow our knowledge points through the development process and we have an executable plan. Testing, improvement workshops, and solid early data have allowed us to validate the airplane’s performance and move the schedule forward,” said Fancher.

Image: Boeing. The Boeing 737 MAX will feature new large-format flight deck displays supplied by Rockwell Collins. The new displays will deliver enhanced visuals, improved reliability, lower spares and maintenance costs, lower weight and lower upgrade costs over the life of the airplane. The flight deck layout will maintain operational commonality with the Next-Generation 737 on entry-into-service of the 737 MAX while preparing the airplane for future flight deck capabilities.

Pictured here is an artist’s rendering of the 737 MAX flight deck with the four new large format displays.

Alaska Airlines orders 13 Boeing 737-900 ERs, 20 737 MAX 8s and 17 MAX 9s

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) today announced an order for 50 Boeing aircraft, including the 737 MAX—the new engine variant of the world’s best-selling airliner. The aircraft, which will be delivered between 2015 and 2022, represent the largest order in Alaska Airlines’ history and are worth $5 billion at manufacturer’s list prices.

The agreement includes firm orders for 13 Boeing Next-Generation 737-900ERs, 20 737 MAX 8s and 17 737 MAX 9s.

Alaska Airlines currently operates 120 Boeing 737s. The new firm aircraft order, plus 25 existing firm delivery positions, give the carrier the flexibility to manage its fleet size to meet air travel demand over the next decade. Two-thirds of the aircraft are expected to replace older airplanes. The remaining firm orders and options will enable Alaska Airlines to grow assuming sufficient customer demand and that the company continues to achieve its profit and return on invested capital goals.

Existing and new orders for the 737-900ER will be delivered starting in late October 2012 and continue through 2017. The first 737 MAX 8 is scheduled to enter Alaska’s fleet in 2018 followed by the first 737 MAX 9 in 2019. Alaska is the third U.S. airline to order the MAX.

All of Alaska’s new aircraft will feature the Boeing Sky Interior, with overhead bins that provide more storage and passenger headroom, variable ambient cabin lighting and, on the 737-900ER, Recaro leather seats with an innovative design that provides more legroom.

The 737 MAX will be equipped with the new LEAP-1B engine under development by CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aviation in Ohio and France-based Snecma (Safran group). The MAX will also feature raked “dual feather” winglets and a more aerodynamic tail cone. The aircraft is expected to be 13 percent more fuel efficient than today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft.

737 MAX Quick Facts

Length: The 737 MAX 8 is 129 feet long and the 737 MAX 9 is slightly larger at 138 feet.
Wingspan: The wingspan on the 737 MAX 8 and 9 measures 117 feet, 10 inches.
Cruising speed: Both planes have a cruising speed of Mach 0.79 or 586 mph.
Range: The 737 MAX 8 can fly up to 4,080 miles and the MAX 9 3,850 miles.
Fuel economy: The 737 MAX is expected to be 13 percent more fuel efficient than today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft.

Image: PRNewsFoto/Alaska Airlines. The order includes the 737-8 MAX.

Alaska Airlines:

SilkAir defects to Boeing for 23 Boeing 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s

SilkAir (Singapore), the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase up to 68 new aircraft from Boeing.

The order is the largest in SilkAir’s history and remains subject to the negotiation of a final purchase agreement.

It will comprise firm orders for 54 aircraft and purchase rights for another 14. Firm orders will comprise 23 Boeing 737-800s and 31 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. SilkAir will have the flexibility to switch to other variants within the Boeing 737 product range.

SilkAir currently operates 21 A319s and A320s, with three more A320s due for delivery by the end of 2013. The new aircraft will cater for both growth and fleet renewal.

SilkAir: