Issue 287: Hi Max

MAXimum advantage

While Boeing may have been late out of the starting gate on the 737 MAX – which is the fourth generation of a design that will celebrate its 50th year in 2018 – it may well introduce the aircraft in 2016, possibly in a similar timeframe as the rival Airbus A320neo.

At stake is a forecast global demand for more than 23,000 aircraft in the 737/A320 market segment over the next 20 years at a value of nearly $2 trillion. And while the decision to commit to the MAX was a change of direction from an all-new option, (which Boeing seemed to favour as recently as the Paris Airshow in June), Boeing has been seriously studying both new aircraft and 737 re-engine concepts since 2006.