Boeing 737 Max

Technology

A model of aircraft from Boeing that has been plagued with significant safety issues, including fatal crashes due to software flaws (MCAS) and a recent incident where a door plug blew off mid-flight.


First Mentioned

1/5/2026, 5:13:59 AM

Last Updated

1/5/2026, 5:14:52 AM

Research Retrieved

1/5/2026, 5:14:52 AM

Summary

The Boeing 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the Boeing 737 narrow-body aircraft family, developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes to compete with the Airbus A320neo. It incorporates advanced CFM International LEAP-1B engines and split-tip winglets, achieving a 14% reduction in fuel consumption and a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to previous generations. The program, announced in 2011, includes variants such as the MAX 7, 8, 9, and 10. The aircraft's history is marked by two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 caused by the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), leading to a 20-month global grounding and significant financial losses for Boeing. These incidents, along with a 2024 door plug failure on an Alaska Airlines MAX 9, have made the aircraft a focal point for discussions on regulatory capture and production quality within the aerospace industry. Despite these challenges, as of November 2025, Boeing has delivered over 2,000 units and maintains an order backlog of nearly 5,000 aircraft.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Engine Type

    CFM International LEAP-1B

  • Flight Range

    3,300 to 3,850 nautical miles (6,110 to 7,130 km)

  • Manufacturer

    Boeing Commercial Airplanes

  • Total Deliveries

    2,076 aircraft (as of 2025-11-01)

  • Outstanding Orders

    4,774 aircraft (as of 2025-11-01)

  • Passenger Capacity

    138 to 204 passengers (two-class configuration)

  • CO2 Emission Reduction

    20% reduction

  • Fuel Efficiency Improvement

    14% reduction in specific fuel consumption

  • Maximum Takeoff Weight (MAX 9)

    194,700 pounds (88,314 kg)

Timeline
  • Boeing officially announces the 737 MAX program. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2011-08-30

  • The first 737 MAX aircraft completes its maiden flight. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2016-01-29

  • The FAA grants certification for the 737 MAX 8. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2017-03-08

  • First delivery of a 737 MAX 8 is made to Malindo Air. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2017-05-22

  • Lion Air Flight 610 crashes into the Java Sea, Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2018-10-29

  • Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes near Bishoftu, Ethiopia, killing all 157 people on board. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2019-03-10

  • The FAA joins other global regulators in grounding the 737 MAX fleet. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2019-03-13

  • The FAA rescinds the grounding order after software and training modifications. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2020-11-18

  • A door plug detaches from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 mid-flight over Portland, Oregon, USA. (Source: FAA Newsroom)

    2024-01-05

  • The FAA grounds 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft for emergency inspections. (Source: FAA Newsroom)

    2024-01-06

Boeing 737 MAX

The Boeing 737 MAX is a series of narrow-body aircraft developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes as the fourth generation of the Boeing 737. It succeeds the Boeing 737 Next Generation and incorporates more efficient CFM International LEAP engines, aerodynamic improvements such as split-tip winglets, and structural modifications. The program was announced in August 2011, the first flight took place in January 2016, and the aircraft was certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in March 2017. The first delivery, a MAX 8, was made to Malindo Air in May 2017. The 737 MAX series includes four main variants—the MAX 7, MAX 8, MAX 9, and MAX 10—with increasing fuselage length and seating capacity. Boeing also developed a high-density version, the MAX 8-200, launched by Ryanair. The aircraft typically seats 138 to 204 passengers in a two-class configuration and has a range of 3,300 to 3,850 nautical miles [nmi] (6,110 to 7,130 km; 3,800 to 4,430 mi). As of November 2025, Boeing has delivered 2,076 aircraft and held orders for 4,774 more. The MAX 8 is the most widely ordered variant, while the MAX 7 and MAX 10 have not yet received FAA certification, and the agency has not provided a timeline for their approval. Its primary competitor is the Airbus A320neo family, which occupies a similar market segment. Two fatal accidents, Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019, led to the global grounding of the 737 MAX fleet from March 2019 to November 2020. The crashes were linked to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which activated erroneously due to faulty angle of attack sensor data. Investigations revealed that Boeing had not adequately disclosed MCAS to operators and identified shortcomings in the FAA's certification process. The incidents caused significant reputational and financial damage to Boeing, including billions of dollars in legal settlements, fines, and cancelled orders. Following modifications to the flight control software and revised pilot training protocols, the aircraft was cleared to return to service. By late 2021, most countries had lifted their grounding orders. However, the type came under renewed scrutiny after a January 2024 incident in which a door plug detached mid-flight on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, causing a rapid decompression. The FAA temporarily grounded affected MAX 9 aircraft, and investigations raised further concerns about production quality and safety practices at Boeing.

Web Search Results
  • [PDF] 737 MAX Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning - Boeing

    Rights Reserved. 1.3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 737 MAX FAMILY OF AIRPLANES The 737 MAX is the latest series of derivative airplanes in the 737 family of airplanes. The 737 MAX airplanes include 737-7, 737-8, 737-8-200, 737-9, 737-10, and the Business Jet versions. The 737 MAX series airplanes have improved fuel efficiency, increased payload or range, and reduced emissions and noise. The 737 MAX incorporates an all new CFM LEAP-1B engine for improved fuel-efficiency and reduced community noise. [...] CHARACTERISTICS UNITS MODEL BBJ MAX 9 MAX DESIGN TAXI WEIGHT POUNDS 168,700 190,400 195,200 KILOGRAMS 76,521 86,363 88,541 MAX DESIGN TAKEOFF WEIGHT POUNDS 168,200 189,900 194,700 KILOGRAMS 76,294 86,137 88,314 MAX DESIGN LANDING WEIGHT POUNDS 155,700 155,700 163,900 KILOGRAMS 70,624 70,624 74,343 MAX DESIGN ZERO FUEL WEIGHT POUNDS 148,300 148,300 156,500 KILOGRAMS 67,267 67,267 70,987 SEATING CAPACITY TWO-CLASS SINGLE-CLASS AUXILIARY TANK CONFIGURATIONS: LOWER DECK MAXIMUM CARGO VOLUME [...] One of the characteristics new to the 737 MAX family which improves operational efficiency is the new Advanced Technology (AT) winglet with a distinctive dual-feather configuration to improve aerodynamics. The 737 MAX family remains a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airplane Design Group III and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Aerodrome Reference Code Letter C aircraft. 737-10 INFORMATION IS PRELIMINARY D6-38A004 REV K July 2025 1-4 Not Subject to EAR or ITAR. Copyright ©

  • Boeing 737 MAX

    The 737 MAX uses a split-tip winglet, designed to reduce vortex drag, which improves fuel efficiency by maximizing lift, while staying in the same ICAO aerodrome reference code letter C gates as current Boeing 737s. It resembles a three-way hybrid of a blended winglet, wingtip fence, and raked wingtip. A split-tip wingtip was first proposed for the McDonnell Douglas MD-12, a 1990s twin-deck aircraft concept. A MAX 8 with 162 passengers on a 3,000-nautical-mile (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) flight is [...] The 737 MAX series includes four main variants—the MAX 7, MAX 8, MAX 9, and MAX 10—with increasing fuselage length and seating capacity. Boeing also developed a high-density version, the MAX 8-200, launched by Ryanair. The aircraft typically seats 138 to 204 passengers in a two-class configuration and has a range of 3,300 to 3,850 nautical miles [nmi] (6,110 to 7,130 km; 3,800 to 4,430 mi). As of November 2025( Boeing has delivered 2,076 aircraft and held orders for 4,774 more. The MAX 8 is the [...] In late January 2022, Boeing's Chief Financial Officer said the 737 program was producing at a rate of 27 aircraft a month and was on track to ramp up the production. On March 4, Boeing reportedly had preliminary plans to ramp up production of the 737 MAX aircraft to about 47 a month by the end of 2023 as the company looked to extend its recovery from successive crises. On July 12, the company said it had met its goal of increasing 737 production to 31 per month when it reported its June order

  • The Boeing 737 MAX

    The 737 Max was the first new aircraft to benefit from the internal restructuring, so Boeing is keen to show that the company has learned from past mistakes. “Achieving this milestone on schedule is a testament to the success of the 737 and our integrated design and build team,” says Keith Leverkuhn, Boeing’s vice-president and general manager for the 737 Max programme. The 737 Max still has to meet an ambitious set of performance objectives, including a 14% reduction in specific fuel [...] next-generation 737 to the CFM International Leap-1B-powered 737 Max will come sooner, perhaps reducing the number of orders for the older type that Boeing needs to fill the gap. The 737 Max now will enter the market about two years after the scheduled service debut of the similarly re-engined Airbus A320neo, which was launched about nine months before the Boeing product. Boeing, however, plans more extensive changes for the 737 Max, including a new advanced technology winglet, re-lofted tail [...] best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger appeal. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 10-12 percent fuel burn improvement over today's most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes and a 7 percent operating cost per-seat advantage over tomorrow's competition. To date, the 737 MAX has received more than 1,000

  • 737 MAX - Boeing

    The 737 MAX family provides exceptional capability, flexibility, and value for airlines. Technological advancements result in a 20% reduction in CO2 emission and fuel use. Since the launch of the 737 MAX, more than 100 customers worldwide have placed firm orders for approximately 7,000 airplanes. More than 1 million passengers fly on a 737 MAX airplane every day, making it a backbone of the global commercial airline industry. ### The 737 MAX family [...] The 737 MAX is significantly quieter than the previous generation of aircraft. The 737-8 has a 50% smaller noise footprint than the 737-800 in part because of the higher-bypass ratio on the LEAP-1B engine as well as the unique chevron design on the nacelle—another advance inspired by the 787 Dreamliner. [...] The 737 MAX has a simple, robust, and reliable design which means it spends more time flying and less time in the hangar. The 737 MAX is lightweight, easy to maintain, and provides industry-leading reliability and utilization. ### Greater range in the single-aisle market #### 737 MAX by design Discover what goes into creating the industry-leading technology of the 737 MAX family. Learn More ### 737 MAX gallery ###### 737 MAX Family ###### 737-8 ###### 737-9 ###### 737-10

  • Updates on Boeing 737-9 MAX Aircraft

    Jan. 6, 2024: The FAA Immediately grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. January 2024: Halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX. [...] To hold Boeing accountable for its production quality issues, the FAA has halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX, is exploring the use of a third party to conduct independent reviews of quality systems, and will continue its increased onsite presence at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Washington, and Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kansas. The FAA will thoroughly review all of Boeing’s corrective actions to determine if they fully address the FAA’s findings. [...] The FAA’s priority is always keeping Americans safe. In that spirit, Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft will remain grounded until operators complete enhanced inspections which include both left and right cabin door exit plugs, door components, and fasteners. Operators must also complete corrective action requirements based on findings from the inspections prior to bringing any aircraft back into service.

Location Data

Boeing 737 MAX parking lot, South 81st Place, Boeing Plant 2, Tukwila, King County, Washington, 98108, United States

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Coordinates: 47.5295372, -122.3093571

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