Boeing MAX

Boeing has unveiled the first 737 MAX 8 at the company’s Renton production facility in Washington.

The single-aisle jet, a new addition to the 737 family of aircraft, is expected to start its flight test programme early next year.

With the 737 MAX, nicknamed Spirit of Renton, Boeing has significantly upgraded its top-selling plane after a gap of 19 years. It took four years for Boeing to complete the upgrade of the MAX.

Following final assembly, the 737 MAX 8 will go through pre-flight preparation in the factory before making its scheduled maiden flight early next year. The first delivery is scheduled in the third quarter of 2017 to US-based Southwest Airlines.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes 737 MAX vice-president Keith Leverkuhn said: "Today marks another in a long series of milestones that our team has achieved on time, per plan, together.

"With the rollout of the new 737 MAX, the first new airplane of Boeing’s second century, our team is upholding an incredible legacy while taking the 737 to the next level of performance."

"The new aircraft is expected to consume 20% less fuel than the first next-generation 737s and will have lower operating costs."

The second and third 737 MAX 8 flight test airplanes are currently in the final assembly stage, while the fourth and final 737 MAX is in sub-assembly phase.

The new aircraft is expected to consume 20% less fuel than the first next-generation 737s and will have lower operating costs.

Boeing incorporated the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, its own advanced technology winglets and other enhancements to upgrade the 737 MAX.

The 737 MAX family has received 3,000 orders from 60 customers worldwide.

Boeing is currently manufacturing 42 single-aisle 737 planes per month and is planning to increase production to 52 per month in 2018.

Image: The first Boeing 737 MAX 8 at the Renton factory in Washington. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.