Boeing Accelerates First Delivery of 737 MAX

Boeing has confirmed that the first delivery of a 737 MAX 8 to launch customer Southwest Airlines will now take place in Q3 2017 instead of Q4.

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.

Boeing says that 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% fuel-burn improvement over today's most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes.

"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."

After firm configuration is achieved, the 737 MAX team will begin detailed design of the airplane, scheduled for completion in 2014.