737 MAX

Somewhere across the world a Boeing 737 takes off or lands every five seconds and more than 1,200 of their compatriots are aloft at any given time. With the total number of Boeing 737s that have been built approaching 9,000, this twin-engined airliner has truly earned the term ‘prolific’ to be used in its description. And while the maiden flight of the 737-100 took place in 1967, there is no sign of the 737’s popularity abating as evidenced by the rise of its latest offspring – the 737 MAX.

The 737 design has been tried and tested for nearly 50 years. With each generational change, Boeing has sought to build upon the core product and enhance it with the newest technologies on hand, and the 737 MAX is the ultimate example of this.

In the modern era, efficiency is the key requirement for airlines. They want their aircraft to be leaner and greener and yet possess an enhanced level of performance. As a result, manufacturers look towards the age-old challenges of weight and drag and their co-existence with the pursuit of power. Consequently, three major areas contribute to the answers – aerodynamic design, powerplant and materials.