Boeing has unveiled its first 737-8 MAX, the fourth generation jetliner of the company's popular 737 aircraft. The aircraft was introduced Tuesday before thousands of Boeing employees at the company's facility in Renton, Wash.
"Today marks another in a long series of milestones that our team has achieved on time, per plan, together," Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager at Boeing, said in a statement. "With the rollout of the new 737-8 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 737-8 jetliner, also known within the company as the "Spirit of Renton," was painted in Boeing's MAX house livery, which also recalls the color of the 787 Dreamliner, Airways News reported. While thousands of employees were in attendance, the event was relatively low-key, at least in comparison with the Dreamliner launch back in 2007. This previous launch attracted 15,000 guests who were treated to a live band and Tom Brokaw as host.
It seems that the 737-8 MAX, however, will not need a pompous launch, as it is getting immense interest from buyers this early. An estimated 3,000 advance orders have been reportedly tendered for a 2017 delivery, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Boeing 737-8 MAX did not come with an incremental upgrade to the 737 model. Instead, Boeing introduced huge changes such as more powerful and fuel efficient engines, as well as updates to the aircraft's body and wings. Southwest Airlines is one of the first companies that will get the 737-8 MAX in 2017.
