The shortest plane in the Boeing 737 MAX family completed its maiden flight on March 16, 2018. The airplane remains on schedule and now begins a comprehensive flight test program leading to certification and delivery in 2019.
The Boeing 737 MAX 7 is the third, and smallest, member in the 737 MAX family and can carry up to 172 passengers in a single class. At the same time, the new 737 MAX 7 has the a longest range in the MAX family, and can fly non-stop up to 3,850 miles (7,130 kilometers). MAX 7 is designed for exceptional performance for airlines flying out of airports at high altitudes and hot climates.
Boeing 737 MAX 7 took off at 10:17, Pacific time, from Renton Field in Renton, and landed at 13:22 at Boeing Field, Seattle. Pilots for the maiden flight were Boeing Test and Evaluation Captains Jim Webb and Keith Otsuka. During the 3 hour, 5-minute flight, 737 MAX 7 was put through tests on its flight controls, as well as checks of its systems and handling qualities.
“Everything we saw during today’s flight shows that the MAX 7 is performing exactly as designed,” said Keith Leverkuhn, Vice President and general manager of the 737 MAX program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “I know our airline customers are going to enjoy the capabilities this airplane will bring to their fleets.”
The Boeing 737 MAX 7 offers admirable performance to the competition. Compared to Airbus A319Neo, the latest MAX 7 model can carry 12 more passengers, fly 400 nautical miles farther, all that with 7 percent lower fuel costs.
“The MAX 7 will provide airlines an efficient product for opening and flying thinner markets and accessing challenging airports, while enjoying all the benefits of being part of the 737 MAX family,” said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
To deliver the highest level of efficiency, comfort and reliability, the new 737 MAX gets its power from the newest CFM International LEAP-1B engines. In addition to the new power unit, the 737 MAX adorns advanced technology winglets, Boeing sky interior, large flight deck display, among other features. The 737 MAX is set to be one of the most comfortable and efficient airplanes in the single-aisle market.
