Boeing Ready to Design a Replacement for 737 MAX

Boeing may finally be ready to take the plunge and design a new single-aisle aircraft. The planemaker is considering a jet to replace the 737 MAX, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Boeing might have acted sooner if not for the MAX’s well-documented problems, including two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. (Photo: Boeing)

“Our teams continue to be focused on our recovery plan, including delivering on our existing backlog of nearly 6,000 commercial airplanes and certifying the new 737-7, 737-10, and 777-9 models,” a Boeing spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

It’s a major step that could commit the company to billions of dollars in costs and several years of product development.

The potential payoff: improved market share in key segments, Al Root also reported for Barron’s Daily.

Wall Street has speculated for years about a new Boeing jet. The next single-aisle aircraft might not replace the MAX directly but could be slightly larger, carrying 200 to 250 passengers.

Boeing might have acted sooner if not for the MAX’s well-documented problems, including two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Since then, multiple CEOs have focused on fixing design and production flaws and restoring the company’s financial health.

Industry observers expect competition from engine makers such as GE Aerospace, Safran, and RTX, while Rolls-Royce is already in discussions with Boeing.