The Boeing Co. on Friday rolled out the first completed 737 MAX 10, the largest plane in the narrow-body MAX family.
With little fanfare beyond a short press release and a ceremony in Renton, Wash., for employees, Boeing unveiled the plane in advance of what it expects to be first flight sometime next year.
During a ceremony, Boeing leaders highlighted the team’s accomplishments and recognized their efforts in completing production of the newest member of the 737 MAX family.
“Today is not just about a new airplane. It’s about the people who design, build and support it,” said Mark Jenks, vice president and general manager of the 737 program. “This team’s relentless focus on safety and quality shows the commitment we have to our airline customers and every person who flies on a Boeing airplane.”
The 737 MAX 10, the largest variant of the MAX family, can seat up to 230 passengers and offers the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane ever produced. The airplane will now undergo system checks and engine runs prior to first flight next year.
“I’m honored to take this airplane on its first flight and show the world what you’ve put your heart and soul into,” 737 Chief Pilot Jennifer Henderson told the employee crowd.
The 737 MAX 10 currently has more than 550 orders and commitments from more than 20 customers around the globe.
The current MAX variants on the market have all been grounded since March following two deadly crashes of the jet in five months that killed 346 people.
The company continues to target a return to flight for the MAX by the end of the year, though global regulators have not any specific timetable on their work clearing the jet.
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