Boeing has carried out the first test flight of the 737 MAX, which remains on track for the first delivery in the third quarter of 2017.
The 737 MAX 8 flight from Renton Field, Washington, lasted two hours and 47 minutes reaching altitudes of 25,000 feet. Boeing says the 737 MAX uses 20 per cent less fuel than the first Next Generation 737, and increased the range by up to 570 nautical miles, making it capable of going over 3,500 nautical miles.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive officer, Ray Conner says: “Today’s first flight of the 737 MAX carries us across the threshold of a new century of innovation – one driven by the same passion and ingenuity that have made this company great for 100 years.”
“We are tremendously proud to begin testing an airplane that will deliver unprecedented fuel efficiency in the single-aisle market for our customers.”
Boeing 737 MAX chief pilot, Ed Wilson says: “The flight was a success. The 737 MAX just felt right in flight giving us complete confidence that this airplane will meet our customers’ expectations.”
The MAX 8 is the first member of the family to start test flights. It will be followed by the MAX 7, MAX 200 and MAX 9.
