Boeing 737 MAX#Design

In 2006, Boeing began to consider replacing the 737 with a "clean sheet" design that could follow the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.{{Cite news |date=March 3, 2006 |title=Boeing firms up 737 replacement studies by appointing team |work=Flight International |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-firms-up-737-replacement-studies-by-appointin-205223/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014142039/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-firms-up-737-replacement-studies-by-appointin-205223/ |archive-date=October 14, 2016}} In June 2010, executives postponed the decision.{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Scott |date=June 24, 2010 |title=737 decision may slip to 2011: Credit Suisse |work=Flight International |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/737-decision-may-slip-to-2011-credit-suisse-343568/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008082226/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/737-decision-may-slip-to-2011-credit-suisse-343568/ |archive-date=October 8, 2017}} On December 1, 2010, Boeing competitor Airbus launched the Airbus A320neo family, which offered better fuel economy and operating efficiency than the 737 NG, thanks to its engines: the LEAP from CFM International and the PW1000G from Pratt & Whitney.{{Cite press release |title=Airbus offers new fuel saving engine options for A320 Family |date=December 1, 2010 |url=http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/airbus-offers-new-fuel-saving-engine-options-for-a320-family/ |access-date=May 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409105432/http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/airbus-offers-new-fuel-saving-engine-options-for-a320-family/ |archive-date=April 9, 2016 |website=Airbus}}

In February 2011, Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said, "We're going to do a new airplane."{{Cite news |last=Freed |first=Joshua |date=February 10, 2011 |title=Boeing CEO: 'new airplane' to replace 737 |work=NBC News |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna41517601 |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814175652/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/41517601/ns/business-us_business/t/boeing-ceo-new-airplane-replace |archive-date=August 14, 2017}} The company had been developing a new aircraft to replace the 737 as part of its Yellowstone Project.{{Cite news |last1=Sanders |first1=Peter |last2=Cameron |first2=Doug |date=January 26, 2011 |title=Boeing Confident on Deliveries This Year |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703293204576105722792053588 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |issn=0099-9660}}{{cite web |last=Ostrower |first=John |date=September 24, 2010 |title=Boeing patent may provide glimpse into 737 replacement plan |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2010/09/boeing_patent_may_provide_glim/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074327/http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2010/09/boeing_patent_may_provide_glim/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=FlightGlobal}} In March 2011, Boeing CFO James A. Bell told investors that the company might re-engine the 737, but later that month Boeing Commercial Airplanes President James Albaugh said that the company was not sure about that.{{Cite news |date=April 11, 2011 |title=Most airlines taking cautious approach to next gen aircraft |work=CAPA Centre for Aviation |url=https://centreforaviation.com/insights/analysis/most-airlines-taking-cautious-approach-to-next-gen-aircraft-49535 |url-status=live |access-date=November 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107013123/https://centreforaviation.com/insights/analysis/most-airlines-taking-cautious-approach-to-next-gen-aircraft-49535 |archive-date=November 7, 2017}} The Airbus A320neo gathered 667 commitments at the June 2011 Paris Air Show, bringing its order backlog to 1,029 aircraft, an order record for a new commercial airliner.{{Cite press release |title=Airbus with new order record at Paris Air Show 2011 |date=June 23, 2011 |url=http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/airbus-with-new-order-record-at-paris-air-show-2011/ |access-date=May 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317054849/http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/airbus-with-new-order-record-at-paris-air-show-2011/ |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |website=Airbus}}

On July 20, 2011, American Airlines, which had long bought only Boeing jets,{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Nicola |date=July 20, 2011 |title=Jet Order by American is a Coup for Boeing's Rival |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/21/business/global/american-places-record-order-with-2-jet-makers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618203630/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/21/business/global/american-places-record-order-with-2-jet-makers.html |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |access-date=March 12, 2019 |work=The New York Times}} announced an order for 460 narrowbody jets including 130 A320ceo (current engine option), 130 A320neo, and 100 737NG. Officials also said they would order 100 re-engined 737s with CFM LEAP if Boeing pursued the project.{{Cite press release |title=AMR Corporation Announces Largest Aircraft Order in History With Boeing and Airbus |date=July 20, 2011 |url=http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2011/AMR-Corporation-Announces-Largest-Aircraft-Order-In-History-With-Boeing-And-Airbus-07202011/default.aspx |access-date=April 30, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430182507/http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2011/AMR-Corporation-Announces-Largest-Aircraft-Order-In-History-With-Boeing-And-Airbus-07202011/default.aspx |archive-date=April 30, 2019 |website=American Airlines}}

File:737MAX ILA 2012.png

Faced with the record orders for Airbus and the defection of a long-time customer, on August 30, 2011, Boeing's board of directors approved the launch of the re-engined 737 MAX, which they said would meet or exceed the range of the Airbus A320neo{{Cite web |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=February 19, 2012 |title=Boeing says 737 Max to meet or exceed A320neo range |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-says-737-max-to-meet-or-exceed-a320neo-range-367932/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217102209/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-says-737-max-to-meet-or-exceed-a320neo-range-367932/ |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=February 20, 2012 |website=Air Transport Intelligence News |publisher=FlightGlobal}} while burning 4% less fuel.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Launches 737 New Engine Family with Commitments for 496 Airplanes from Five Airlines |date=August 30, 2011 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2011-08-30-Boeing-Launches-737-New-Engine-Family-with-Commitments-for-496-Airplanes-from-Five-Airlines |access-date=May 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004191635/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2011-08-30-Boeing-Launches-737-New-Engine-Family-with-Commitments-for-496-Airplanes-from-Five-Airlines |archive-date=October 4, 2015}} Studies for additional drag reduction were performed during 2011, including revised tail cone, natural laminar flow engine nacelle, and hybrid laminar flow vertical stabilizer.{{Cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=August 30, 2011 |title=More details emerge on configuration of re-engined 737 |work=Flight International |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/more-details-emerge-on-configuration-of-re-engined-7-361282/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330152928/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/more-details-emerge-on-configuration-of-re-engined-7-361282/ |archive-date=March 30, 2019}} To focus on the re-engine project, Boeing abandoned the development of a new design under its Yellowstone Project.{{Cite news |last=O'Keeffe |first=Niall |date=September 12, 2011 |title=Caution welcomed: Boeing's 737 Max |work=Flight International |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/caution-welcomed-boeings-737-max-361641/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230142723/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/caution-welcomed-boeings-737-max-361641/ |archive-date=December 30, 2013}} Firm configuration for the 737 MAX was scheduled for 2013.{{Cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=November 7, 2011 |title=Boeing completes initial review of 737 Max configuration |work=Air Transport Intelligence News |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-completes-initial-review-of-737-max-configuration-364297/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108174122/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-completes-initial-review-of-737-max-configuration-364297/ |archive-date=November 8, 2011}}

In March 2010, the estimated cost to re-engine the 737, according to Mike Bair, Boeing Commercial Airplanes' vice president of business strategy and marketing, would be {{US$|2–3 billion}}, including the CFM engine development. During Boeing's Q2 2011 earnings call, CFO James Bell said the development cost for the airframe only would be 10–15% of the cost of a new program, which was estimated at {{US$|10–12 billion}} at the time. Bernstein Research predicted in January 2012, that this cost would be twice that of the A320neo.{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Scott |date=January 27, 2012 |title=Boeing disputes 737 Max development cost report |work=Air Transport Intelligence News |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-disputes-737-max-development-cost-report-367504/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008180438/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-disputes-737-max-development-cost-report-367504/ |archive-date=October 8, 2017}} The MAX development cost could have been well over the internal target of {{US$|2 billion}}, and closer to {{US$|4 billion}}.{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Scott |date=October 7, 2019 |title=Pontifications: Muilenburg's departure wouldn't go far enough |work=Leeham News |url=https://leehamnews.com/2019/10/07/pontifications-muilenburgs-departure-wouldnt-go-far-enough/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007120538/https://leehamnews.com/2019/10/07/pontifications-muilenburgs-departure-wouldnt-go-far-enough/ |archive-date=October 7, 2019}} Fuel consumption is reduced by 14% from the 737NG. Southwest Airlines was signed up as the launch customer in 2011.{{cite magazine |title=First Firm Order for 737 MAX |magazine=Aviation News |date=February 2012 |page=5}}

In November 2014, McNerney said the 737 would be replaced by a new airplane by 2030—probably using composite materials—that would be slightly bigger and have new engines but would retain the 737's general configuration.{{Cite news |last=Carvalho |first=Stanley |date=November 5, 2014 |title=Boeing plans to develop new airplane to replace 737 MAX by 2030 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-ceo-idUSKBN0IP27320141105 |url-status=live |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021111915/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-ceo-idUSKBN0IP27320141105 |archive-date=October 21, 2017}} Boeing talked about developing a clean sheet aircraft to replace the 737. The conceived aircraft was to have a fuselage similar to the 737 though slightly larger, and would make use of the advanced composite technology developed for the 787 Dreamliner.{{Cite news |date=November 5, 2014 |first1=Stanley|last1=Carvalho|title=Boeing plans to develop new airplane to replace 737 MAX by 2030 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-ceo-737/boeing-plans-to-develop-new-airplane-to-replace-737-max-by-2030-idUSKBN0IP27320141105 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030093428/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-ceo-737/boeing-plans-to-develop-new-airplane-to-replace-737-max-by-2030-idUSKBN0IP27320141105 |archive-date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=January 24, 2020 |work=Reuters}} Boeing also considered a parallel development along with the 757 replacement, similar to the development of the 757 and 767 in the 1970s.{{Cite news |last=Guy Norris and Jens Flottau |date=December 12, 2014 |title=Boeing Revisits Past In Hunt For 737/757 Successors |url=http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/boeing-revisits-past-hunt-737757-successors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214161620/http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/boeing-revisits-past-hunt-737757-successors |archive-date=December 14, 2014 |access-date=December 14, 2014 |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology}}

File:Boeing 737 MAX (23514088802).jpg

On August 13, 2015, the first 737 MAX fuselage completed assembly at Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, Kansas, for a test aircraft that would eventually be delivered to launch customer Southwest Airlines.{{Cite news |last=Siebenmark |first=Jerry |date=August 13, 2015 |title=Spirit AeroSystems completes first Boeing 737 Max fuselage |work=Wichita Eagle |url=http://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article31004622.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817231223/http://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article31004622.html |archive-date=August 17, 2015}} On December 8, 2015, the first 737 MAX—a MAX 8 named Spirit of Renton—was rolled out at the Boeing Renton Factory.{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |date=December 8, 2015 |title=Boeing unveils the first 737 MAX and its new production line |work=The Seattle Times |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-unveils-the-first-737-max-and-its-new-production-line/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105181208/http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-unveils-the-first-737-max-and-its-new-production-line/ |archive-date=January 5, 2016}}{{Cite news |last=DeMay |first=Daniel |date=December 8, 2015 |title=Photos: Boeing rolls out new 737 MAX 8 airplane |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/business/boeing/article/Boeing-rolls-out-new-737-MAX-8-airplane-6683288.php |url-status=live |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209124049/http://www.seattlepi.com/business/boeing/article/Boeing-rolls-out-new-737-MAX-8-airplane-6683288.php |archive-date=December 9, 2015}}{{cite magazine |title=MAX Makes Debut |magazine=Airliner World |date=February 2016 |page=5}}

Because GKN could not produce the titanium honeycomb inner walls for the thrust reversers quickly enough, Boeing switched to a composite part produced by Spirit to deliver 47 MAXs per month in 2017. Spirit supplies 69% of the 737 airframe, including the fuselage, thrust reverser, engine pylons, nacelles, and wing leading edges.{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=December 1, 2016 |title=First redesigned thrust reverser delivered for 737 Max |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/first-redesigned-thrust-reverser-delivered-for-737-m-432006/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411054602/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/first-redesigned-thrust-reverser-delivered-for-737-m-432006/ |archive-date=April 11, 2017}}

A new spar-assembly line with robotic drilling machines was expected to increase throughput by 33%. The Electroimpact automated panel assembly line sped up the wing lower-skin assembly by 35%.{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Guy |date=February 15, 2017 |title=In Pictures: First Boeing 737-9 Noses Toward Rollout |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |url=http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/pictures-first-boeing-737-9-noses-toward-rollout |url-status=live |access-date=February 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215173231/http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/pictures-first-boeing-737-9-noses-toward-rollout |archive-date=February 15, 2017}} Boeing planned to increase its 737 MAX monthly production rate from 42 planes in 2017, to 57 planes by 2019.{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=April 10, 2017 |title=Boeing prepares for unprecedented 737 Max ramp-up |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-boeing-prepares-for-unprecedented-737-max-434881/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411135648/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-boeing-prepares-for-unprecedented-737-max-434881/ |archive-date=April 11, 2017}} The new spar-assembly line is designed by Electroimpact.{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |date=February 14, 2017 |title=Boeing ramps up automation, innovation as it readies 737MAX |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-ramps-up-automation-innovation-as-it-readies-737max/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129185239/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-ramps-up-automation-innovation-as-it-readies-737max/ |archive-date=January 29, 2020}} Electroimpact has also installed fully automated riveting machines and tooling to fasten stringers to the wing skin.{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |date=April 18, 2015 |title=Boeing retools Renton plant with automation for 737's big ramp-up |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-retools-renton-plant-for-737s-big-ramp-up/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727023434/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-retools-renton-plant-for-737s-big-ramp-up/ |archive-date=July 27, 2020}}

The rate increase strained the production and by August 2018, over 40 unfinished jets were parked in Renton, awaiting parts or engine installation, as CFM Leap-1B engines and Spirit fuselages were delivered late.{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |date=August 2, 2018 |title=Boeing's 737 ramp-up slows as unfinished planes pile up in Renton |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeings-737-ramp-up-slows-as-unfinished-planes-pile-up-in-renton/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803042929/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeings-737-ramp-up-slows-as-unfinished-planes-pile-up-in-renton/ |archive-date=August 3, 2018}} After parked airplanes peaked at 53 at the beginning of September, Boeing reduced this by nine the following month, as deliveries rose to 61 from 29 in July and 48 in August.{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |date=October 9, 2018 |title=Boeing finally begins to reduce its 737 delivery backlog Originally |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-finally-begins-to-reduce-its-737-delivery-backlog-in-renton |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012014629/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-finally-begins-to-reduce-its-737-delivery-backlog-in-renton/ |archive-date=October 12, 2018}}

On September 23, 2015, Boeing announced a collaboration with Comac (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) to build a completion and delivery facility for the 737,{{Cite press release |title=Boeing-Hosts-China-President-Xi-Jinping-Announces-Airplane-Sales-Expanded-Collaboration-with-Chinas-Aviation-Industry |date=September 23, 2015 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-09-23-Boeing-Hosts-China-President-Xi-Jinping-Announces-Airplane-Sales-Expanded-Collaboration-with-Chinas-Aviation-Industry |access-date=December 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114092853/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-09-23-Boeing-Hosts-China-President-Xi-Jinping-Announces-Airplane-Sales-Expanded-Collaboration-with-Chinas-Aviation-Industry |archive-date=November 14, 2017}} in Zhoushan, China,{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2017 |title=Boeing to build plant in Zhoushan |url=https://archive.shine.cn/business/transport/Boeing-to-build-plant-in-Zhoushan/shdaily.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306153454/https://archive.shine.cn/business/transport/Boeing-to-build-plant-in-Zhoushan/shdaily.shtml |archive-date=March 6, 2020 |access-date=January 10, 2020 |publisher=Shanghai Daily}} the first outside the United States.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Loren |title=Boeing To Build Its First Offshore Plane Factory In China As Ex-Im Bank Withers |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2015/09/23/boeing-to-build-its-first-offshore-plane-factory-in-china-as-ex-im-bank-withers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824202307/https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2015/09/23/boeing-to-build-its-first-offshore-plane-factory-in-china-as-ex-im-bank-withers/ |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |access-date=September 23, 2015 |website=Forbes}} This facility initially handles interior finishing only, but will subsequently be expanded to include paintwork. The first aircraft was delivered from the facility to Air China on December 15, 2018.{{Cite news |date=December 15, 2018 |title=Pictures: Boeing delivers first China-completed 737 Max |work=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-boeing-delivers-first-china-completed-737-454456/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216133324/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-boeing-delivers-first-china-completed-737-454456/ |archive-date=December 16, 2018}}

The largest part of the suppliers cost are the aerostructures at {{US$|10–12 million}} ({{#expr:10/28.5*100round0}}-{{#expr:12/35*100round0}}% of the {{US$|{{#expr:10+7+5+1.5+5}}-{{#expr:12+9+6+2+6}} million}} total), followed by the engines at {{US$|7-9 million}} ({{#expr:7/28.5*100round0}}-{{#expr:9/35*100round0}}%), systems and interiors at {{US$|5–6 million}} each ({{#expr:5/28.5*100round0}}-{{#expr:6/35*100round0}}%), then avionics at {{US$|1.5–2 million}} ({{#expr:1.5/28.5*100round0}}-{{#expr:2/35*100round0}}%).{{Cite magazine |last=Michaels |first=Kevin |date=January 27, 2020 |title=MAX production shutdown |magazine=Aviation Week & Space Technology |page=12}}

{{Main|Boeing 737 MAX certification}}

File:9M-LRF - Boeing 737-8 MAX - Batik Air Malaysia - 42994 - VGHS.jpg's subsidiary Malindo Air (wearing Batik Air Malaysia livery)]]

The first delivery was a MAX 8 on May 16, 2017, to the then Malindo Air (now Batik Air Malaysia); it entered service on May 22. Norwegian Air International was the second airline to put a 737 MAX into service, when it performed its first transatlantic flight with a MAX 8 named Sir Freddie Laker on July 15, 2017, between Edinburgh Airport in Scotland and Bradley International Airport in the U.S. state of Connecticut.{{Cite news |last=Moores |first=Victoria |date=July 18, 2017 |title=Norwegian performs first transatlantic 737 MAX flight |work=Aviation Week Network |publisher=Penton |url=http://atwonline.com/airframes/norwegian-performs-first-transatlantic-737-max-flight |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718155439/http://atwonline.com/airframes/norwegian-performs-first-transatlantic-737-max-flight |archive-date=July 18, 2017}}

Boeing aimed for 737 MAX to match the 99.7% dispatch reliability of the 737 Next Generation (NG).{{Cite news |last=Waldron |first=Greg |date=April 13, 2017 |title=Boeing optimistic for early 737 Max dispatch reliability |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-optimistic-for-early-737-max-dispatch-reliab-436199/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413153139/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-optimistic-for-early-737-max-dispatch-reliab-436199/ |archive-date=April 13, 2017}} Southwest Airlines, the launch customer, took delivery of its first {{nowrap|737 MAX}} on August 29, 2017.{{Cite news |last1=Schlangenstein |first1=Mary |last2=Johnsson |first2=Julie |date=August 30, 2017 |title=Southwest Quietly Takes Delivery of Its First Boeing 737 Max |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-29/southwest-quietly-takes-delivery-of-its-first-boeing-737-max |url-status=live |access-date=August 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830035122/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-29/southwest-quietly-takes-delivery-of-its-first-boeing-737-max |archive-date=August 30, 2017}} Boeing planned to deliver at least {{#expr:500*0.1}} to {{#expr:500*0.15}} aircraft in 2017, 10–15% of the more than five hundred 737s to be delivered in the year.

{{Main|Boeing 737 MAX groundings}}

File:Boeing 737 MAX grounded aircraft near Boeing Field, April 2019.jpg in Seattle after the type was grounded, 2019]]

The 737 MAX was grounded after two fatal crashes, Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019, in which a total of 346 people died. The day following the second crash, China became the first air authority to ground the aircraft, followed the next day by Australia, the European Union, India,{{Cite news |date=2019-03-12 |title=India grounds Boeing 737 MAX jets after Ethiopian Airlines crash |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-may-ban-boeing-737-max-8-planes-amid-safety-concerns/story-PlQCpChEnU5U3qJtYrWz0O.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201107235600/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-may-ban-boeing-737-max-8-planes-amid-safety-concerns/story-PlQCpChEnU5U3qJtYrWz0O.html |archive-date=2020-11-07 |access-date=2025-04-16 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us}} Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Turkey. The United States Federal Aviation Administration was one of the last to ground the aircraft, defending against groundings by issuing a Continued Airworthiness Notice to operators on March 11, garnering criticism before finally grounding it on March 13, 2019.{{Cite news |last1=Austen |first1=Ian |last2=Gebrekidan |first2=Selam |date=March 13, 2019 |title=Trump Announces Ban of Boeing 737 Max Flights |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/13/business/canada-737-max.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913163144/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/13/business/canada-737-max.html |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |work=The New York Times}}

Contributing to the accidents was the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which activated unexpectedly due to erroneous angle of attack data, and inadequate pilot training. Investigations found Boeing did not fully inform operators about MCAS and found shortcomings in the FAA's certification process for the aircraft.{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2020 |title=FAA and Boeing manipulated 737 Max tests during recertification |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/18/22189609/faa-boeing-737-max-senate-report-coverup-tests-whistleblowers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710123547/https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/18/22189609/faa-boeing-737-max-senate-report-coverup-tests-whistleblowers |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=The Verge}}{{Cite news |last=Laris |first=Michael |date=June 19, 2019 |title=Changes to flawed Boeing 737 Max were kept from pilots, DeFazio says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/changes-to-flawed-boeing-737-max-were-kept-from-pilots-defazio-says/2019/06/19/553522f0-92bc-11e9-aadb-74e6b2b46f6a_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205125753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/changes-to-flawed-boeing-737-max-were-kept-from-pilots-defazio-says/2019/06/19/553522f0-92bc-11e9-aadb-74e6b2b46f6a_story.html |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

In the twenty months the aircraft was grounded, Boeing redesigned the computer architecture that supported MCAS. As initially designed, data from just one of the aircraft's two angle-of-attack (AoA) sensors was fed into MCAS. When erroneous data from that sensor was fed into flight computers, it caused repeated uncommanded activation of MCAS, which applied nose-down trim to the horizontal stabilizer. The accident investigations revealed that the AoA sensor on Lion Air Flight 610 was miscalibrated,{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |author-link=Dominic Gates |date=October 25, 2019 |title=FAA shuts down Florida repair firm that supplied faulty Lion Air sensor on Boeing 737 MAX |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/faa-shuts-down-revokes-certificate-of-florida-repair-firm-that-supplied-faulty-lion-air-sensor/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} and the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 sensor was likely damaged by a bird strike during takeoff.{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |author-link=Dominic Gates |date=January 6, 2023 |title=Final report on Boeing 737 MAX crash sparks dispute over pilot error |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/final-report-on-boeing-737-max-crash-disputed-agencies-note-pilot-error-as-a-factor/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} Boeing was criticized for using data from just one of the two sensors, representing a single point of failure on a flight control system.{{Cite news |last1=Nicas |first1=Jack |last2=Kitroeff |first2=Natalie |last3=Gelles |first3=David |last4=Glanz |first4=James |date=June 1, 2019 |title=Boeing Built Deadly Assumptions Into 737 Max, Blind to a Late Design Change |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/01/business/boeing-737-max-crash.html |work=The New York Times}}

Before the crash of Lion Air Flight 610, pilots were not informed by Boeing of the existence of MCAS and were not required to undergo simulator training on the difference between the 737 MAX and earlier 737 versions. Boeing and the FAA would later require simulator training to demonstrate an MCAS activation to pilots.{{Cite report |date=April 26, 2023 |title=FAA Has Completed 737 MAX Return to Service Efforts, but Opportunities Exist To Improve the Agency's Risk Assessments and Certification Processes |url=https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/FAA%20Boeing%20737%20MAX%20Return%20to%20Service%20Final%20Report%5E4.26.2023_revised.pdf |access-date=February 24, 2024 |website=U.S Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General |pages=22–23}}

The final report by the National Transportation Safety Committee of Indonesia into the Lion Air crash criticized Boeing's design and the FAA's certification process for the MCAS flight-control system and said the issues were compounded by maintenance issues and lapses by Lion Air's maintenance crews and its pilots, as well as Xtra Aerospace, a US-based company that supplied Lion Air with a replacement AoA sensor that was likely miscalibrated.{{Cite news |last1=Suhartono |first1=Muktita |last2=Ramzy |first2=Austin |date=October 25, 2019 |title=Indonesian Report on Lion Air Crash Finds Numerous Problems |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/25/world/asia/lion-air-crash-report.html |access-date=February 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite web |last1=Gates |first1=Dominic |author-link=Dominic Gates |last2=Kamb |first2=Lewis |date=October 24, 2019 |title=Indonesia's devastating final report blames Boeing 737 MAX design, certification in Lion Air crash |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/indonesias-investigation-of-lion-air-737-max-crash-faults-boeing-design-and-faa-certification-as-well-as-airlines-maintenance-and-pilot-errors/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Jolly |first=Jasper |date=October 25, 2019 |title=Lion Air crash report 'criticises design, maintenance and pilot error' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/25/lion-air-crash-report-criticises-design-maintenance-and-pilot-error |access-date=February 24, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety identified pilot error and inadequate training by Ethiopian Airlines as critical contributing factors to the crash.

Boeing faced legal and financial consequences, as no deliveries of the MAX could be made while the aircraft was grounded, and airlines canceled more orders than Boeing produced during this period. Boeing found foreign object debris in the fuel tanks of 35 of 50 grounded 737 MAX aircraft that were inspected and had to check the remainder of the 400 undelivered planes.{{Cite news |date=February 22, 2020 |title=Debris found in fuel tanks of 70% of inspected 737 Max jets |agency=Associated Press |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/debris-found-fuel-tanks-70-inspected-737-max-69145033 |url-status=live |access-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224155115/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/debris-found-fuel-tanks-70-inspected-737-max-69145033 |archive-date=February 24, 2020 |via=ABC News}} The FAA curtailed Boeing's delegated authority and invited global aviation stakeholders to comment on pending changes to the aircraft and to pilot training. The FAA lifted its grounding order in 2020;{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |date=November 18, 2020 |title=Boeing 737 MAX can return to the skies, FAA says |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-737-max-can-return-to-the-skies-says-faa/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130042530/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-737-max-can-return-to-the-skies-says-faa/ |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=November 18, 2020}} all aircraft must be repaired to comply with various airworthiness directives.{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2020 |title=Boeing 737-8 and 737-9 Airplanes: Return to Service |url=https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N_8900.570_FAAWeb.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118123443/https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N_8900.570_FAAWeb.pdf |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2020 |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration}}

After being charged with fraud in connection of both crashes of the 737 MAX, Boeing settled by paying over {{US$|2.5 billion|link=yes}} in penalties and compensation: a criminal monetary penalty of $243.6 million, $1.77 billion in damages to airline customers, and $500 million to a fund for the families of crash victims.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Charged with 737 Max Fraud Conspiracy and Agrees to Pay over $2.5 Billion |date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=The United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/boeing-charged-737-max-fraud-conspiracy-and-agrees-pay-over-25-billion |access-date=January 8, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108105327/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/boeing-charged-737-max-fraud-conspiracy-and-agrees-pay-over-25-billion |archive-date=January 8, 2021}}{{Cite news |last1=Gates |first1=Dominic |last2=Kamb |first2=Lewis |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Boeing agrees to pay $2.5B+ to settle criminal fraud charges over 737 MAX |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-agrees-to-pay-2-5b-to-settle-criminal-fraud-charges-over-737-max/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110220725/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-agrees-to-pay-2-5b-to-settle-criminal-fraud-charges-over-737-max/ |archive-date=January 10, 2021}}

From mid-April 2019, Boeing announced that it was temporarily cutting production of the 737 aircraft from 52 per month to 42 amid the 737 MAX groundings.{{Cite press release |title=Statement from Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg: We Own Safety – 737 MAX Software, Production and Process Update |date=April 5, 2019 |publisher=Boeing |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-04-05-Statement-from-Boeing-CEO-Dennis-Muilenburg-We-Own-Safety-737-MAX-Software-Production-and-Process-Update |access-date=April 6, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406072117/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-04-05-Statement-from-Boeing-CEO-Dennis-Muilenburg-We-Own-Safety-737-MAX-Software-Production-and-Process-Update |archive-date=April 6, 2019}} Production of the LEAP-1B engine continued at an unchanged rate, enabling CFM to catch up its backlog within a few weeks.{{Cite news |last1=Bruno |first1=Michael |last2=Dubois |first2=Thierry |date=April 11, 2019 |title=Leap-1B Eyes Catch Up as 737 Production Slows |work=MRO Network |url=https://www.mro-network.com/manufacturing-distribution/leap-1b-eyes-catch-737-production-slows |url-status=live |access-date=April 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411140831/https://www.mro-network.com/manufacturing-distribution/leap-1b-eyes-catch-737-production-slows |archive-date=April 11, 2019}}

As the 737 MAX recertification moved into 2020, Boeing suspended production from January to conserve funds and prioritize stored aircraft delivery.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Statement Regarding 737 MAX Production |date=December 16, 2019 |publisher=Boeing |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-12-16-Boeing-Statement-Regarding-737-MAX-Production |access-date=December 16, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217161043/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-12-16-Boeing-Statement-Regarding-737-MAX-Production |archive-date=December 17, 2019}}{{Cite news |date=January 21, 2020 |title=Boeing has temporarily stopped making 737 Max airplanes |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/21/business/boeing-737-max-production-halt/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414175954/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/21/business/boeing-737-max-production-halt/index.html |archive-date=April 14, 2020}} The 737 MAX program was the company's largest source of profit.{{Cite news |date=July 9, 2019 |title=Boeing's jet deliveries slide as 737 Max grounding takes a toll |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-boeing-deliveries-737-max-20190709-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224045540/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-boeing-deliveries-737-max-20190709-story.html |archive-date=February 24, 2020}} Around 80% of the 737 production costs involve payments to parts suppliers, which may be as low as {{US$|10 million}} per plane.{{Cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Eric M. |last2=Hepher |first2=Tim |date=December 18, 2019 |title=Boeing 737 MAX freeze divides suppliers into haves and have-nots |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-737-max-suppliers-analysis/boeing-737-max-freeze-divides-suppliers-into-haves-and-have-nots-idUSKBN1YL2MZ |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111111656/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-737-max-suppliers-analysis/boeing-737-max-freeze-divides-suppliers-into-haves-and-have-nots-idUSKBN1YL2MZ |archive-date=January 11, 2020}} After the announcement, Moody's cut Boeing's debt ratings in December, citing the rising costs due to the grounding and the production halt including financial support to suppliers and compensation to airlines and lessors which could lower the program's margins and cash generation for years.{{Cite news |date=December 18, 2019 |title=Moody's cuts Boeing's debt ratings as 737 MAX problems deepen |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/boeing-ratings-moodys/refile-moodys-cuts-boeings-debt-ratings-as-737-max-problems-deepen-idUSL4N28S4OZ |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125145053/https://www.reuters.com/article/boeing-ratings-moodys/refile-moodys-cuts-boeings-debt-ratings-as-737-max-problems-deepen-idUSL4N28S4OZ |archive-date=January 25, 2020}} The rating agency also warned that the production halt would have wide and harmful impact to the whole aerospace and defense supply chain and the ramp-up would be slower than previously anticipated.{{Cite news |last=McCoy |first=Daniel |date=December 31, 2019 |title=Moody's downgrades aerospace outlook due to 737 MAX |work=Wichita Business Journal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2019/12/31/moody-s-downgrades-aerospace-outlook-due-to-737.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527121749/https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2019/12/31/moody-s-downgrades-aerospace-outlook-due-to-737.html |archive-date=May 27, 2021}} CFM International reduced production of the LEAP-1B for the 737 MAX, in favor of the LEAP-1A for the Airbus A320neo, but was prepared to meet demand for both aircraft.{{Cite news |last=Root |first=Al |date=January 3, 2020 |title=The Boeing 737 MAX Could Have a New Problem---Not Enough Engines |work=Barron's |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/boeing-737-max-jet-airbus-engines-51578085667 |url-status=live |access-date=January 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108125730/https://www.barrons.com/articles/boeing-737-max-jet-airbus-engines-51578085667 |archive-date=January 8, 2020}}

Boeing did not publicly say how long the suspension would last. The last pre-suspension fuselages entered final assembly in early January 2020. Boeing was reported to internally expect production to be halted for at least 60 days.{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Scott |date=January 7, 2020 |title=Exclusive: Boeing, internally, sees production halt at least 60 days |work=Leeham News |url=https://leehamnews.com/2020/01/07/boeing-internally-sees-production-halt-at-least-60-days/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107134845/https://leehamnews.com/2020/01/07/boeing-internally-sees-production-halt-at-least-60-days/ |archive-date=January 7, 2020}} Industry observers began to question if Boeing's projection of record production rate of 57 per month would ever be reached.{{Cite news |last=McCoy |first=Daniel |date=January 15, 2020 |title=Analyst sees 737 MAX production restarting at fewer than 20 aircraft per month |work=Wichita Business Journals |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2020/01/15/analyst-sees-737-max-production-restarting-at.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916133741/https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2020/01/15/analyst-sees-737-max-production-restarting-at.html |archive-date=September 16, 2020}} In early April, the COVID-19 pandemic led Boeing to shut down its other airliner production lines{{Cite news |last=Bogaisky |first=Jeremy |date=April 6, 2020 |title=Boeing Moves To Completely Shut Down Airliner Production |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2020/04/06/boeing-moves-to-completely-shut-down-airliner-production/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605020800/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2020/04/06/boeing-moves-to-completely-shut-down-airliner-production/ |archive-date=June 5, 2020}} and further delayed recertification of the MAX.{{Cite news |date=April 7, 2020 |title=Regulator test flight of Boeing 737 MAX delayed to May: sources |work=RFI |url=http://www.rfi.fr/en/wires/20200407-regulator-test-flight-boeing-737-max-delayed-may-sources |url-status=live |access-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408093721/http://www.rfi.fr/en/wires/20200407-regulator-test-flight-boeing-737-max-delayed-may-sources |archive-date=April 8, 2020}}

File:02142019 GOL B738M PR-XMA KMIA NASEDIT (33286349418).jpg was the first to resume 737 MAX revenue flight on December 9, 2020]]

In early January 2020, an issue was discovered in the MAX software update, which impacted its recertification effort.{{Cite news |date=January 17, 2020 |title=Boeing addresses new 737 MAX software issue that could keep plane grounded longer |work=Reuters |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-boeing-737max-software-idUKKBN1ZG289 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915181251/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-boeing-737max-software-idUKKBN1ZG289 |archive-date=September 15, 2020}} As of mid-January, Boeing expected the MAX to return to service by mid-2020.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Statement on 737 MAX Return to Service |date=January 21, 2020 |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-01-21-Boeing-Statement-on-737-MAX-Return-to-Service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529121912/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-01-21-Boeing-Statement-on-737-MAX-Return-to-Service |archive-date=May 29, 2020 |website=MediaRoom}} In late April, following the COVID-19 pandemic, Boeing then hoped to win regulatory approval by August 2020.{{Cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=April 28, 2020 |title=Boeing 737 MAX expected to remain grounded until at least August: sources |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-737max/boeing-737-max-expected-to-remain-grounded-until-at-least-august-sources-idUSKCN22A35G |url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603134011/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-737max/boeing-737-max-expected-to-remain-grounded-until-at-least-august-sources-idUSKCN22A35G |archive-date=June 3, 2020}} Between June 29 and July 1, the FAA and Boeing conducted a series of recertification test flights.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2020 |title=FAA Updates on Boeing 737 MAX |url=https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=93206 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901092700/https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=93206 |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=faa.gov}} Transport Canada and EASA each concluded their own independent recertification flights in late August and early September.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} On November 18, the FAA announced that the MAX had been cleared to return to service. Before individual aircraft could resume service, repairs were required as set out in an airworthiness directive from the FAA. Airline training programs also required approval.{{Cite news |date=November 18, 2020 |title=FAA clears Boeing 737 Max to fly again 20 months after grounding over deadly crashes |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/faa-boeing-737-max-resume-flying/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118164910/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/faa-boeing-737-max-resume-flying/ |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=November 18, 2020}}

On December 3, American Airlines made a demonstration flight for journalists to explain the FAA-required modifications, to regain public trust.{{Cite web |last=Genovese |first=Daniella |date=December 3, 2020 |title=Journalists board American Airlines Boeing 737 Max in first public flight since grounding |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/journalists-board-boeings-737-max-with-american-airlines-in-first-public-flight-since-grounding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203224550/https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/journalists-board-boeings-737-max-with-american-airlines-in-first-public-flight-since-grounding |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |access-date=December 4, 2020 |website=FOXBusiness |language=en-US}} The first airline to resume regular passenger service was Brazilian low-cost Gol on December 9.{{Cite news |date=December 9, 2020 |title=Boeing 737 Max: Brazilian airline resumes passenger flights |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55243961 |url-status=live |access-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209142253/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55243961 |archive-date=December 9, 2020}} The first in the United States was American Airlines on December 29.{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Gregory |date=December 29, 2020 |title=Boeing's troubled 737 Max is back in the air after nearly two years |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/29/business/boeing-737-max-return/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231012934/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/29/business/boeing-737-max-return/index.html |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=CNN Business |language=en-US}}

Transport Canada and EASA both cleared the MAX in late January 2021, subject to additional requirements.{{Cite press release |title=Transport Canada introduces additional requirements to allow for the return to service of the Boeing 737 MAX |date=January 18, 2021 |publisher=Transport Canada |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/01/transport-canada-introduces-additional-requirements-to-allow-for-the-return-to-service-of-the-boeing-737-max1.html |access-date=January 28, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128062623/https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/01/transport-canada-introduces-additional-requirements-to-allow-for-the-return-to-service-of-the-boeing-737-max1.html |archive-date=January 28, 2021}}{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2021 |title=Boeing 737 Max cleared to fly in Europe after crashes |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55827358 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128173808/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55827358 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |access-date=January 28, 2021 |website=BBC News}} Other regulators worldwide progressively ungrounded the aircraft, including those in the UAE, Australia, Kenya, and Brazil.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rescinded its ban on MAX airplanes in late August on the condition that they meet the requirements set by the FAA and EASA.{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2021 |title=DGCA 26 August 2021 |url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/Upload?flag=iframeAttachView&attachId=150617804 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827044211/https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/Upload?flag=iframeAttachView&attachId=150617804 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |access-date=August 27, 2021}} China's civil aviation regulator (CAAC) cleared the 94 jets stored by 11 carriers in China to fly again in December 2021. Deliveries of Chinese airplanes stored by Boeing is expected to resume in 4Q 2023.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} However, EASA forbade airlines from performing RNP AR approaches with the MAX.{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2020 |title=EASA drafts 737 MAX return conditions, differences with FAA |url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/26512-easa-737-max-return-pad |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601023941/https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/26512-easa-737-max-return-pad |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |access-date=April 10, 2022}} In response to the recertification, some booking sites introduced tools allowing travelers to filter results to avoid flying on the type.{{Cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2024/03/14/lifestyle/innovative-booking-tool-allows-travelers-to-avoid-flying-on-terrifying-737-max-planes-if-its-boeing-im-not-going/ |title=Innovative booking tool allows travelers to avoid flying on 'terrifying' 737 MAX planes: 'If it's Boeing, I'm not going' |date=March 14, 2024}}

In late January 2020, production was expected to restart in April and take a year and a half to clear the inventory of 400 airplanes, ramping up slowly and building over time: Boeing might have delivered 180 stored jets by year-end and produce an equal number.{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Scott |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Boeing MAX production will restart, build slowly |work=Leeham News |url=https://leehamnews.com/2020/01/29/boeing-max-production-will-restart-build-slowly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130135700/https://leehamnews.com/2020/01/29/boeing-max-production-will-restart-build-slowly/ |archive-date=January 30, 2020}} Boeing did not disclose any possible effect on deliveries caused by the FAA's withdrawal of Boeing's delegated authority to certify the airworthiness of each aircraft.{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Boeing will need a 'few years' to recapture previous 737 Max production rate plans |work=Flight Global |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/boeing-will-need-a-few-years-to-recapture-previous-737-max-production-rate-plans/136436.article |url-status=live |access-date=February 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201153122/https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/boeing-will-need-a-few-years-to-recapture-previous-737-max-production-rate-plans/136436.article |archive-date=February 1, 2020}} MAX supplier Spirit AeroSystems said it does not expect to return production rate to 52 per month until late 2022.{{Cite news |last=Kilgore |first=Tomi |date=January 30, 2020 |title=Spirit AeroSystems to restart 737 MAX planes 'slowly,' won't hit 52/month production rate for more than 2 years |work=MarketWatch |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/spirit-aerosystems-to-restart-737-max-planes-slowly-wont-hit-52month-production-rate-for-more-than-2-years-2020-01-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201153933/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/spirit-aerosystems-to-restart-737-max-planes-slowly-wont-hit-52month-production-rate-for-more-than-2-years-2020-01-30 |archive-date=February 1, 2020}} On May 27, Boeing resumed 737 MAX production at a low production rate, with the rate planned to increase towards 31 per month in 2021.{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=May 27, 2020 |title=Boeing restarts 737 Max production |work=Flightglobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-restarts-737-max-production/138571.article |url-status=live |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606122342/https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-restarts-737-max-production/138571.article |archive-date=June 6, 2020}}

On August 19, Boeing announced that it had received new orders for the 737 MAX for the first time in 2020. Per a statement from the company, Poland's Enter Air SA entered into an agreement to buy up to four 737s.{{Cite web |last=agencies |first=Guardian staff and |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Boeing publicises new name for 737 Max planes after crashes |url=http://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/20/boeing-737-max-plane-new-name-poland-enter-air |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820235945/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/20/boeing-737-max-plane-new-name-poland-enter-air |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |access-date=August 21, 2020 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Boeing Formally Restarts 737 MAX Production | Aviation Week Network |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/boeing-formally-restarts-737-max-production |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914163928/https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/boeing-formally-restarts-737-max-production |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=May 28, 2020}} On October 28, Boeing indicated that it expected to deliver about half of the 450 stockpiled aircraft in 2021, and the majority of the remainder in 2022, noting that some of these aircraft will need to be re-marketed and potentially reconfigured. The delivery rate will also condition the production rate for new aircraft, to avoid compounding the problem.{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Boeing revises 2021 737 Max delivery pace, reflecting depressed demand |work=Flight Global |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-revises-2021-737-max-delivery-pace-reflecting-depressed-demand/140849.article |url-status=live |access-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031231733/https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-revises-2021-737-max-delivery-pace-reflecting-depressed-demand/140849.article |archive-date=October 31, 2020}} In November, Boeing saw more than 1,000 order cancelations since the grounding in March 2019. Some of these already-built aircraft have seen their order canceled and Boeing is working to find new customers to take delivery.{{Cite news |date=November 18, 2020 |title=U.S. ends Boeing 737 MAX flight ban after crash probes |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/boeing-737max-int-idUSKBN27Y0FS |access-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118130831/https://www.reuters.com/article/boeing-737max-int-idUSKBN27Y0FS/ |archive-date=November 18, 2020}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Eric M. Johnson and Tim Hepher |date=March 5, 2022 |title=EXCLUSIVE Boeing aims to nearly double 737 MAX production by end-2023 -sources |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/exclusive-boeing-aims-nearly-double-737-max-production-by-end-2023-sources-2022-03-05/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305180647/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/exclusive-boeing-aims-nearly-double-737-max-production-by-end-2023-sources-2022-03-05/ |archive-date=March 5, 2022}} 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 and delivery tally.{{Cite web |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Boeing says 737 production hit 31-per-month rate in June as backlog jumps |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-says-737-production-hit-31-per-month-rate-in-june-as-backlog-jumps/149359.article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712180623/https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-says-737-production-hit-31-per-month-rate-in-june-as-backlog-jumps/149359.article |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=FflightGlobal}}

In September, however, the company noted that it was regularly having to pause production due to component shortages and other supply chain problems.{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=September 16, 2022 |title=Boeing still pausing 737 production as it works through supply troubles |language=en |work=Flight Global |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-still-pausing-737-production-as-it-works-through-supply-troubles/150235.article}}

In late January 2023, Boeing announced that a fourth production line for the 737 MAX would open at the Boeing Everett Factory in Everett, Washington. The line will replace the discontinued Boeing 787 line at the factory.{{Cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Boeing to open 737 Max line at Everett plant |work=The Air Current |url=https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-production/boeing-to-open-737-max-line-at-everett-plant/ |access-date=January 30, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Boeing to set up a fourth 737 MAX assembly line in Everett |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-to-set-up-a-fourth-737-max-assembly-line-in-everett/ |access-date=January 30, 2023}} However, after the January 2024 Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident in which a door plug became detached (after not being bolted in place by Boeing) and resulted in an uncontrolled decompression of the aircraft, the FAA announced it would not grant any production expansion of the 737 MAX until it is satisfied that more stringent quality control measures have been enacted.{{cite news |last1=Gates |first1=Dominic |last2=Rosenblatt |first2=Lauren |date=January 24, 2024 |title=FAA blocks Boeing production push but clears way for MAX 9s to fly again |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/faa-restricts-boeing-max-rate-ramp-up-and-lays-out-extensive-inspection-regimen/ |access-date=January 28, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{cite news |last1=Josephs |first1=Leslie |date=January 24, 2024 |title=FAA halts Boeing 737 Max production expansion, but clears path to return Max 9 to service |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/24/boeing-737-max-faa-halts-production-expansion-oks-inspection-instructions.html |access-date=January 28, 2024 |work=CNBC |language=en}}{{cite news |title=FAA Orders Halt To Boeing 737 MAX Production Growth Plan {{!}} Aviation Week Network |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/faa-orders-halt-boeing-737-max-production-growth-plan |access-date=January 28, 2024 |work=aviationweek.com}}

Following the recertification of the MAX 8 and MAX 9, Boeing resumed work to certify the MAX 7 and MAX 10. In March 2022, there were rumors that Boeing would request an exemption from the U.S. Aircraft Safety and Certification Reform Act of 2020, a safety reform law passed in response to the MAX crashes. The act requires airliners to be fitted with an engine-indicating and crew-alerting system (EICAS) if type certificated after December 31, 2022. Adding this feature would make the MAX 7 and MAX 10 different from other MAX variants, necessitating additional training for pilots.{{Cite news |last=Dominic Gates |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Boeing may ask Congress to extend MAX 10 exemption from safety rule |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-seeks-exemption-from-safety-rule-extended-for-max-10/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309220658/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-seeks-exemption-from-safety-rule-extended-for-max-10/ |archive-date=March 9, 2022}}

In November 2022, Boeing announced expected delays to the certification of the MAX 7 and MAX 10, then expected in early 2023 and early 2024 respectively.{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Boeing pushes back 737 Max 7 and Max 10 certifications |language=en |work=Flight Global |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-pushes-back-737-max-7-and-max-10-certifications/150806.article |access-date=December 23, 2022 |quote=Boeing has again delayed certification timelines for its two outstanding 737 Max variants, now estimating the Federal Aviation Administration will clear the Max 7 by early 2023 and the Max 10 by early 2024.}} In December, two proposals to exempt the MAX 7 and MAX 10 from the new EICAS requirements were considered for inclusion in a U.S. defense spending bill—one a simple two-year extension to the deadline, the second an exemption for aircraft whose certification applications were submitted before the law was enacted, combined with some equipment changes{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Top US lawmakers to decide fate of 737 Max 7 and Max 10 regulatory exemption |language=en |work=Flight Global |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/top-us-lawmakers-to-decide-fate-of-737-max-7-and-max-10-regulatory-exemption/151199.article}}—but neither proposal was included in the final spending bill.{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Congress excludes Max 7 and 10 exemption from defence spending bill |language=en |work=Flight Global |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/congress-excludes-max-7-and-10-exemption-from-defence-spending-bill/151284.article}}

The U.S. Congress agreed in December 2022 on a bill allowing Boeing to certify the MAX 7 and MAX 10 without EICAS but required that the company must install a third angle-of-attack sensor in all 737 MAX types as previously demanded by European and Canadian regulators. The company also must install a switch to disable the stick shaker, which distracted pilots during the MAX crashes. Boeing would have to retrofit these design changes to all 737 MAXs already delivered in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. within three years of MAX 10 certification.{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Congress clears FAA to certify Boeing 737 MAX 7, MAX 10 unchanged |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/congress-year-end-bill-clears-faa-to-certify-boeing-737-max-7-10-unchanged/ |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2022 |title=If Congress doesn't mandate Boeing 737 MAX safety retrofits, Europe will |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/if-congress-doesnt-mandate-boeing-737-max-safety-retrofits-europe-will/ |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}

Boeing requested an additional exemption for the MAX 7 in December 2023. The exemption was related to a problem with the engine anti-ice system Boeing had announced in August 2023 that affected all MAX variants. Boeing had found that if pilots left the engine anti-ice system running after icing was no longer an issue, the system could heat the carbon composite inlet at the front end of the pod surrounding the engine (known as a nacelle) to break and fall off, potentially damaging the engine or fuselage. Boeing said that it was working on a fix for all MAX variants and requested that it be exempted from correcting the MAX 7 before it was allowed to enter service.{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2024 |title=Over pilots' objection, Boeing seeks safety exemption for MAX 7 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-wants-faa-to-exempt-max-7-from-safety-rules-to-get-it-in-the-air/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} Boeing withdrew its exemption request in January 2024 after being asked to do so in meetings with the U.S. Congress held after the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident.{{Cite news |last1=Shepardson |first1=David |last2=Insinna |first2=Valerie |last3=Hepher |first3=Tim |date=January 30, 2024 |title=Boeing to withdraw MAX 7 exemption request as safety scrutiny intensifies |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-under-microscope-safety-issues-it-reports-results-2024-01-29/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |work=Reuters}} {{As of|2024|2}}, Boeing estimated that the development, testing and validation of the fix to the anti-ice system would take an additional nine to 18 months.{{Cite web |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=February 29, 2024 |title=737 Max anti-ice system fix is slow going |url=https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/737-max-anti-ice-fix-slow-going/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |website=The Air Current |language=en-US}}

{{As of|2024|2}}, the MAX 7 and MAX 10 have not been certified, with the FAA declining to put any timetable on approval. The delays have set back the fleet plans of major carriers including Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, the biggest customers for the MAX 7 and MAX 10 respectively. United also gave a rare, public rebuke of Boeing saying it was "disappointed" with the company and would no longer include the MAX 10 in its fleet planning, and had a meeting with Airbus to discuss securing more favorable production slots to enable the airline to introduce A321neos more rapidly to cover the delayed MAX 10s.{{Cite web |last=Koenig |first=David |date=January 23, 2024 |title=At United and Alaska airlines, frustration with Boeing's manufacturing problems is boiling over |url=https://apnews.com/article/united-airlines-ceo-boeing-manufacturing-problems-4090ea6176ef59e382dd18e9522596bc |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Hepher |first1=Tim |last2=Singh |first2=Kumar |date=January 29, 2024 |title=United CEO kickstarts Airbus talks amid Boeing delays, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/united-ceo-kickstarts-airbus-talks-amid-boeing-delays-sources-2024-01-28/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |work=Reuters}}

In January 2025, Boeing requested another time-limited exemption for the MAX 7 and MAX 10's stall management yaw damper (SMYD) system incorporating the required angle-of-attack enhancements, to allow time for certification of the system to a higher design assurance level in line with "increased regulatory expectations".{{cite news |last1=Hemmerdinger |first1=Jon |title=Boeing needs another regulatory exemption prior to 737 Max 7 and 10 certification |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-needs-another-regulatory-exemption-prior-to-737-max-7-and-10-certification/161464.article |work=Flight Global |date=January 22, 2025 }}

In mid-2011, one design objective was matching fuel burn of the 737 MAX to that of the Airbus A320neo's 15% fuel-burn advantage. The initial 737 MAX reduction was 10–12%; it was later enhanced to 14.5%. The fan was widened from {{Convert|61|in|cm|abbr=out}} to {{Convert|69.4|in|cm|abbr=on}} by raising the nose gear and placing the engine higher on the wing and further forward. The split tip winglet added 1–1.5% fuel burn reduction and a re-lofted tail cone another 1%. Electronically controlling the bleed air system improved efficiency. The new engine nacelle included chevrons, similar to those of the Boeing 787, which also helped to reduce engine noise.{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=June 15, 2017 |title=737 Max cutaway and technical description |work=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-737-max-cutaway-and-technical-description-437370/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615163843/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-737-max-cutaway-and-technical-description-437370/ |archive-date=June 15, 2017}}

File:Boeing 737-8 MAX Belyakov.jpg on the 737 MAX]]

The 737 MAX uses a split-tip winglet, designed to reduce vortex drag, which improves fuel efficiency{{Cite web |title=Boeing: The most efficient winglet on any airplane |url=https://www.boeing.com/commercial/737max/737-max-winglets/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126171243/https://www.boeing.com/commercial/737max/737-max-winglets/ |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |access-date=November 26, 2021 |website= boeing.com}} 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 {{Convert|3000|nmi|abbr=out|adj=on}} flight is projected to have a 1.8% lower fuel burn than a blended winglet-equipped aircraft (like many 737NG aircraft) and 1% lower over {{Convert|500|nmi|abbr=on}} at Mach 0.79.{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Guy |date=December 2, 2013 |title=Laminar Flow Boosts 737 MAX Long-Range Performance |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/laminar-flow-boosts-737-max-long-range-performance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605065831/http://aviationweek.com/awin/laminar-flow-boosts-737-max-long-range-performance |archive-date=June 5, 2016 |quote=The configuration is designed to maximize lift for a wingspan restricted to the same Category C-sized gates as current 737s.}} The new winglet has a total height of {{Convert|9|ft|6|in|m|abbr=out}}.

Other improvements include a re-contoured tail cone, revised auxiliary power unit inlet and exhaust, aft body vortex generator removal, and other small aerodynamic improvements.

The engines on the 737 MAX were also repositioned, the top of the new engine slightly higher than the top surface of the wing, resulting in a change to the aerodynamic characteristics of the airframe. Due to the aircraft's close proximity to the ground, the larger and more fuel-efficient engines did not have enough clearance. As a result, the engines were mounted higher on the wings and further forward, changing the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft compared to the 737NG. The MCAS software-based flight control law was implemented to account for the undesirable aerodynamic changes.{{Cite book |last=Herbert |first=Joseph |title=The Boeing 737 MAX: Lessons for Engineering Ethics |publisher=Springer Netherlands |location=Dordrecht |year=2020 |pages=2957–2974}}

The {{Convert|8|in|cm|adj=on|abbr=out}} taller nose-gear strut maintains the same {{Convert|17|in|cm|adj=on|abbr=out}} ground clearance of previous 737 engine nacelles. New struts and nacelles for the heavier engines add bulk, the main landing gear and supporting structure have been reinforced, and fuselage skins are thicker in some places—thus adding {{Convert|6,500|lb|kg|abbr=out}} to the MAX 8's empty aircraft weight. To preserve fuel and payload capacity, its maximum takeoff weight is {{Convert|7,000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} heavier.{{Cite news |last=George |first=Fred |date=May 12, 2017 |title=Pilot Report: Flying the 737-8, Boeing's New Narrowbody Breadwinner |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |url=http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/pilot-report-flying-737-8-boeing-s-new-narrowbody-breadwinner |url-status=live |access-date=May 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512093127/http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/pilot-report-flying-737-8-boeing-s-new-narrowbody-breadwinner |archive-date=May 12, 2017}}

File:737 Max Cockpit.jpg is larger, and the navigation display is merged with the multi-function display, eliminating the need for a lower display.]]

Rockwell Collins was selected to supply four {{Convert|15.1|in|mm|adj=on}} liquid-crystal displays (LCD), as used on the 787, for the glass cockpit to improve pilots' situation awareness and efficiency.{{Cite press release |title=Rockwell Collins wins Boeing 737 MAX contract for large-format flight displays |date=November 15, 2012 |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20121115006097/en/Rockwell-Collins-Wins-Boeing-737-MAX-Contract |access-date=February 16, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217062331/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20121115006097/en/Rockwell-Collins-Wins-Boeing-737-MAX-Contract |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |author=Rockwell Collins |via=Businesswire}} Boeing plans no major modifications for the 737 MAX flight deck, as it wants to maintain commonality with the 737 Next Generation family. Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh said in 2011, that adding more fly-by-wire control systems would be "very minimal".{{Cite news |date=August 31, 2011 |title=Boeing aims to minimise 737 Max changes |work=Air Transport Intelligence News |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-aims-to-minimise-737-max-changes-361440/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204102146/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-aims-to-minimise-737-max-changes-361440/ |archive-date=December 4, 2018}} However, the 737 MAX extended spoilers are fly-by-wire controlled. Most of the systems are carried from the 737NG to allow for a short differences-training course to upgrade flight crews.

In addition to the Speed Trim System (STS), the automatic stabilizer control system has been enhanced to include MCAS. Compared to STS, MCAS has greater authority and cannot be disengaged with the aft and forward column cutout switches. The center console stabilizer-trim cutout switches have been re-wired. Unlike previous versions of the 737, the automatic stabilizer trim control functions cannot be turned off while retaining electric trim switches functionality.{{Cite news |last=Lemme |first=Peter |date=October 28, 2019 |title=Flawed Assumptions Pave a Path to Disaster |url=https://www.satcom.guru/2019/10/flawed-assumptions-pave-path-to-disaster.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102044909/https://www.satcom.guru/2019/10/flawed-assumptions-pave-path-to-disaster.html |archive-date=November 2, 2019}}

MCAS was deemed necessary by Boeing to meet its internal objective of minimizing training requirements for pilots already qualified on the 737NG. MCAS was to automatically mitigate the pitch-up tendency of the new flight geometry due to the engines being located farther forward and higher than on previous 737 models.{{Cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=November 13, 2018 |title=What is the Boeing 737 Max Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System |work=The Air Current |url=https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/what-is-the-boeing-737-max-maneuvering-characteristics-augmentation-system-mcas-jt610/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407184426/https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/what-is-the-boeing-737-max-maneuvering-characteristics-augmentation-system-mcas-jt610/ |archive-date=April 7, 2019}} During a reassessment of the aircraft in February 2020, both FAA and EASA determined that the stability and stall characteristics of the plane would have been acceptable with or without MCAS.{{Cite news |date=January 10, 2021 |title=Boeing's MCAS may not have been needed on the 737 Max at all |work=The Air Current |url=https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/mcas-may-not-have-been-needed-on-the-737-max-at-all/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110200108/https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/mcas-may-not-have-been-needed-on-the-737-max-at-all/ |archive-date=January 10, 2021}}

As a production standard, the 737 MAX features the Boeing Sky Interior with overhead bins and LED lighting based on the Boeing 787's interior.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Introduces 737 MAX With Launch of New Aircraft Family |date=August 30, 2011 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2011-08-30-Boeing-Introduces-737-MAX-With-Launch-of-New-Aircraft-Family |access-date=May 14, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820114957/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2011-08-30-Boeing-Introduces-737-MAX-With-Launch-of-New-Aircraft-Family |archive-date=August 20, 2017}}

{{Main|CFM International LEAP}}

File:Boeing 737-9 MAX CFM LEAP-1B PAS.jpg

In 2011, the CFM LEAP-1B engine was initially 10–12% more efficient than the previous {{Convert|156|cm|in|adj=on|order=flip|abbr=out}} CFM56 of the 737NG. The 18-blade, woven carbon-fiber fan enables a 9:1 bypass ratio (up from 5.1:1 with the previous 24-blade titanium fan) for a 40% smaller noise footprint. The CFM56 bypass ranges from 5.1:1 to 5.5:1.{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2015 |title=CFM56-7B |url=https://www.safran-aircraft-engines.com/commercial-engines/single-aisle-commercial-jets/cfm56/cfm56-7b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330145525/https://www.safran-aircraft-engines.com/commercial-engines/single-aisle-commercial-jets/cfm56/cfm56-7b |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |website=Safran}} The two-spool design has a low-pressure section comprising the fan and three booster stages driven by five axial turbine stages and a high-pressure section with a 10-stage axial compressor driven by a two-stage turbine. The 41:1 overall pressure ratio increased from 28:1, and advanced hot-section materials enabling higher operating temperatures permit a 15% reduction in thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC), along with 20% lower carbon emissions, 50% lower nitrogen-oxide emissions, though each engine weighs {{Convert|849|lb|abbr=out}} more at {{Convert|6129|lb|abbr=out}}.

In August 2011, Boeing had to choose between {{Convert|66|in|cm|sigfig=3|abbr=out|adj=on}} or {{Convert|68|in|cm|sigfig=3|abbr=out|adj=on}} fan diameters, necessitating landing gear changes to maintain a {{Convert|17|in|cm|adj=on|abbr=on}} ground clearance beneath the new engines; Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive officer Jim Albaugh stated "with a bigger fan you get more efficiency because of the bypass ratio [but also] more weight and more drag", with more airframe changes.{{Cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=August 31, 2011 |title=Boeing narrows 737 Max engine fan size options to two |work=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-narrows-737-max-engine-fan-size-options-to-two-361438/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091713/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-narrows-737-max-engine-fan-size-options-to-two-361438/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019}}

In November 2011, Boeing selected the larger fan diameter, necessitating a {{Convert|6–8|in|cm|abbr=on}} longer nose landing gear.{{Cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=November 3, 2011 |title=Boeing reveals 737 Max configuration details |work=FlightGlobal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-reveals-737-max-configuration-details-364280/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222222855/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-reveals-737-max-configuration-details-364280/ |archive-date=December 22, 2018}}{{Cite news |date=November 3, 2011 |title=Boeing cites 600 commitments for revamped 737 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/boeing-idUSN1E7A217520111103 |url-status=live |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204195154/https://www.reuters.com/article/boeing-idUSN1E7A217520111103 |archive-date=December 4, 2018}} In May 2012, Boeing further enlarged the fan to {{Convert|69.4|in|cm|abbr=on}}, paired with a smaller engine core within minor design changes before the mid-2013 final configuration.{{Cite web |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=May 17, 2012 |title=Boeing Tweaks Engine for New 737 Max |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303360504577411102305043324 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003327/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303360504577411102305043324 |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2017 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}{{Cite news |last1=Nicas |first1=Jack |last2=Kitroeff |first2=Natalie |last3=Gelles |first3=David |last4=Glanz |first4=James |date=June 1, 2019 |title=Boeing Built Deadly Assumptions Into 737 Max, Blind to a Late Design Change |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/01/business/boeing-737-max-crash.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601181631/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/01/business/boeing-737-max-crash.html |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |issn=0362-4331}}

The nacelle features chevrons for noise reduction like the 787.{{Cite news |last=Polek |first=Gregory |date=November 13, 2011 |title=Boeing Takes Minimalist Approach to 737 MAX |work=Aviation International News |url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2011-11-13/boeing-takes-minimalist-approach-737-max |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107010238/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2011-11-13/boeing-takes-minimalist-approach-737-max |archive-date=November 7, 2018}} A new bleed air digital regulator will improve its reliability.{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=July 23, 2013 |title=Boeing locks in 737 Max 8 configuration |work=FlightGlobal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-locks-in-737-max-8-configuration-388621 |url-status=live |access-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409131027/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-locks-in-737-max-8-configuration-388621/ |archive-date=April 9, 2019}} The new nacelles being larger and more forward possess aerodynamic properties which act to further increase the pitch rate. The larger engine is cantilevered ahead of and slightly above the wing, and the laminar flow engine nacelle lipskin is a GKN Aerospace one-piece, spun-formed aluminum sheet inspired by the 787.

File:United Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX AN5165061.jpg 737 MAX 9 landing at Tampa International Airport in August 2018.]]

After one year of service, 130 MAXs had been delivered to 28 customers, logging over 41,000{{nbsp}}flights in 118,000{{nbsp}}hours and flying over 6.5{{nbsp}}million passengers. Flydubai observed 15% more efficiency than the NG, more than the 14% promised, and dependability reached 99.4%. Long routes include 24 over {{Convert|2500|nmi|0|abbr=out}}, including a daily Aerolíneas Argentinas service from Buenos Aires to Punta Cana over {{Convert|3252|nmi|abbr=on}}.{{Cite news |last=Tinseth |first=Randy |date=May 22, 2018 |title=737 MAX: a year of serving the globe |publisher=Boeing |url=https://randy.newairplane.com/2018/05/22/737-max-a-year-of-serving-the-globe/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011531/https://randy.newairplane.com/2018/05/22/737-max-a-year-of-serving-the-globe/ |archive-date=May 23, 2018}}

In 2019, Moody's had estimated Boeing's operating margin to be {{US$|12–15 million}} for each 737 MAX 8 at its list price of $121.6 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=121600000|start_year=2019}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}), although the list price is usually discounted 50–55% in practice. This high margin was made possible by the efficiencies of production volume and the amortization of development costs and capital investment over the decades of the program run. However, costs have since risen significantly and the margin reduced following the two crashes, the FAA grounding, and the severe disruption to production.{{Cite news |last=Zhang |first=Benjamin |date=March 13, 2019 |title=Here's how much Boeing is estimated to make on each 737 Max 8 plane |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.fr/us/boeing-737-max-profit-moodys-2019-3 |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306152501/https://www.businessinsider.fr/us/boeing-737-max-profit-moodys-2019-3 |archive-date=March 6, 2020}}{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2019 |title=Boeing Stock Falls As Trump, FAA Ground Boeing 737 Max Jets In U.S. {{!}} Investor's Business Daily |url=https://www.investors.com/news/boeing-stock-rallies-vietjet-norwegian-lufthansa/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131191207/https://www.investors.com/news/boeing-stock-rallies-vietjet-norwegian-lufthansa/ |archive-date=January 31, 2020 |access-date=January 31, 2020 |website=Investor's Business Daily}} Boeing estimated it would cost an additional $6.3 billion to produce the remaining 737 MAX program, $4 billion for "future abnormal costs" as production restarted, plus an estimated $8.3 billion for concessions and compensation to customers.{{Cite news |last=Polek |first=Gregory |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Amid Big Losses, Boeing To 'Reassess' NMA, Cut 787 Rate |language=en |work=Aviation International News |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2020-01-29/amid-big-losses-boeing-reassess-nma-cut-787-rate |url-status=live |access-date=January 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131053914/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2020-01-29/amid-big-losses-boeing-reassess-nma-cut-787-rate |archive-date=January 31, 2020}}{{Cite web |title=Boeing to Recognize Charge and Increased Costs in Second Quarter Due to 737 MAX Grounding – Jul 18, 2019 |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-07-18-Boeing-to-Recognize-Charge-and-Increased-Costs-in-Second-Quarter-Due-to-737-MAX-Grounding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519202052/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-07-18-Boeing-to-Recognize-Charge-and-Increased-Costs-in-Second-Quarter-Due-to-737-MAX-Grounding |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |access-date=January 31, 2020 |website=MediaRoom}}{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Boeing estimates 737 Max crisis will cost $18.6 billion |language=en |work=Flight Global |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/boeing-estimates-737-max-crisis-will-cost-186-billion/136429.article |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129203620/https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/boeing-estimates-737-max-crisis-will-cost-186-billion/136429.article |archive-date=January 29, 2020}} The rising costs also led Moody's to downgrade Boeing's credit rating.

The 737 MAX 7, MAX 8 and MAX 9 succeed the 737-700, -800, and -900ER, respectively—the most widely used variants of the previous 737 Next Generation series.{{Cite web |date=October 2018 |title=Boeing Commercial Airplanes – Orders and Deliveries – 737 Model Summary |url=http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=737&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=737&ViewReportF=View+Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121013435/http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=737&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=737&ViewReportF=View+Report |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |access-date=February 12, 2021 |publisher=Boeing}}{{Cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=August 30, 2011 |title=Boeing designates 737 MAX family |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/08/30/361428/boeing-designates-737-max-family.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925210731/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/08/30/361428/boeing-designates-737-max-family.html |archive-date=September 25, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2011 |work=Air Transport Intelligence News |publisher=FlightGlobal}} Since 2020, their official FAA type certificate and marketing designations have been 737-7, 737-8, and 737-9. The MAX 8 entered service in May 2017, followed by the MAX 9 in March 2018, and the MAX 200, a high-density variant of the MAX 8, in June 2021. Deliveries of the MAX 7 and MAX 10 have not yet begun, following years of certification delays.{{Cite news |last1=Insinna |first1=Valerie |last2=Shepardson |first2=David |date=July 26, 2023 |title=First delivery of Boeing 737 MAX 7 delayed to 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/first-delivery-boeing-737-max-7-delayed-2024-filing-2023-07-26/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |work=Reuters |language=en}}

The MAX 8 is the most widely ordered variant.{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Scott |date=2023-08-09 |title=Boeing reveals sub-type orders for MAX, 777X for the first time |url=https://leehamnews.com/2023/08/09/boeing-reveals-sub-type-orders-for-max-777x-for-the-first-time/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Leeham News and Analysis |language=en-US}} In 2018, Boeing projected that 60–65% of demand would be for the midsized MAX 8, 20–25% for the larger MAX 9 and MAX 10, and 10% for the smaller MAX 7.{{Cite news |last=Kingsley-Jones |first=Max |date=February 7, 2018 |title=Detailed design starts on 737 Max 10 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-detailed-design-starts-on-737-max-10-445658/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212005011/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-detailed-design-starts-on-737-max-10-445658/ |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |access-date=February 11, 2018 |publisher=FlightGlobal}}

File:EGLF - Boeing 737 Max - N7201S (43406207022).jpg]]

At the July 2016 Farnborough Air Show, Boeing announced that the MAX 7, originally based on the 737-700, will accommodate two more seat rows than the 737-700 for 138 seats.{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2016 |title=Farnborough: Boeing's Execution on 737 MAX Sparkles as MAX 7.5 and MAX 10X Loom |work=Airways Magazine |url=https://airwaysmag.com/industry/boeing-737-max-sparkles-as-max-7-5-10x-loom/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711115643/https://airwaysmag.com/industry/boeing-737-max-sparkles-as-max-7-5-10x-loom/ |archive-date=July 11, 2016}}{{Cite news |date=July 11, 2016 |title=Boeing confirms 737 Max 7 redesign |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-boeing-confirms-737-max-7-redesign-427190/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129034102/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-boeing-confirms-737-max-7-redesign-427190/ |archive-date=November 29, 2019}} Compared to the 737-700, the MAX 7 has a pair of over-wing exit doors rather than the single-door, a {{cvt|46|in|cm}} longer aft fuselage and a {{cvt|30|in|cm}} longer forward fuselage, structural re-gauging and strengthening, and systems and interior modifications to accommodate the longer length.{{Cite web |date=July 12, 2016 |title=Boeing Upscales 737-700 |url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2016-07-12/boeing-upscales-737-700 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527120649/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2016-07-12/boeing-upscales-737-max-7 |archive-date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=July 13, 2016 |website=Aviation International News}} The MAX 7 uses the same wing and landing gear as the MAX 8. It is expected to fly {{Convert|1000|nmi|abbr=on}} farther than the -700 with 18% lower fuel costs per seat. Boeing predicts that the MAX 7 will carry 12 more passengers {{Convert|400|nmi|abbr=on}} farther than A319neo with seven percent lower operating costs per seat.{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Guy |date=March 16, 2018 |title=Boeing Begins 737-7 Flight Test Program |work=Aviation Week Network |url=http://aviationweek.com/new-civil-aircraft/boeing-begins-737-7-flight-test-program |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017221034/http://aviationweek.com/new-civil-aircraft/boeing-begins-737-7-flight-test-program |archive-date=October 17, 2018}}

Production on the first {{Convert|65|ft|4=-long|adj=mid|abbr=out}} wing spar for the 737-7 began in October 2017. Assembly of the first flight-test aircraft began on November 22, 2017,{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=November 23, 2017 |title=Boeing starts assembling first Max 7 |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-starts-assembling-first-max-7-443577/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041932/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-starts-assembling-first-max-7-443577/ |archive-date=December 1, 2017}} and was rolled out of the factory on February 5, 2018.{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |date=February 5, 2018 |title=Boeing debuts MAX 7 jet, smallest and slowest-selling of its 737 MAX family |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-debuts-max-7-jet-smallest-and-slowest-selling-of-its-737-max-family/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205214819/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-debuts-max-7-jet-smallest-and-slowest-selling-of-its-737-max-family/ |archive-date=February 5, 2018}} The MAX 7 took off for its first flight on March 16, 2018, from the factory in Renton, Washington, and flew for three hours over Washington state.{{Cite news |date=March 16, 2018 |title=Boeing 737 Max 7 narrowbody jetliner makes maiden flight |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-737-max-7/boeing-737-max-7-narrowbody-jetliner-begins-maiden-flight-idUSKCN1GS2CM |url-status=live |access-date=March 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316205319/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-737-max-7/boeing-737-max-7-narrowbody-jetliner-begins-maiden-flight-idUSKCN1GS2CM |archive-date=March 16, 2018}} It reached {{Convert|250|kn||lk=on|abbr=out}} and {{Convert|25,000|ft|m|abbr=on}}, performed a low approach, systems checks and an inflight engine restart, and landed at Boeing's flight test center in Moses Lake, Washington.{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=March 16, 2018 |title=Boeing launches 737 Max 7 into flight testing |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-launches-737-max-7-into-flight-testing-446852/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317032531/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-launches-737-max-7-into-flight-testing-446852/ |archive-date=March 17, 2018}}

Entry into service with launch operator Southwest Airlines was originally expected in January 2019, however, it has been repeatedly delayed.{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=October 4, 2017 |title=Boeing starts building first 737 Max 7 |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-starts-building-first-737-max-7-441830/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510153352/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-starts-building-first-737-max-7-441830/ |archive-date=May 10, 2019}} Southwest had ordered a total of 234 MAX 7s.{{Cite web |last=Josephs |first=Leslie |date=March 29, 2021 |title=Southwest Airlines agrees to buy 100 of Boeing's smallest 737 Max model |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/29/southwest-airlines-adds-100-orders-for-boeing-737-max-jet.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831153152/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/29/southwest-airlines-adds-100-orders-for-boeing-737-max-jet.html |archive-date=August 31, 2021 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |website=CNBC |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bertoletti |first=Mario |date=June 8, 2021 |title=Southwest Airlines Orders 34 Boeing 737 MAX 7 |url=https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/southwest-orders-34-b-737-max-7/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922011822/https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/southwest-orders-34-b-737-max-7/ |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |access-date=September 22, 2021 |website=Airways Magazine |language=en-US}} WestJet also ordered 22 MAX 7s, but later converted those into MAX 8s amid the delays.{{Cite news |date=August 1, 2018 |title=Canada's WestJet defers maiden B737 MAX 7 to 2021 |work=ch-aviation |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/69551-canadas-westjet-defers-maiden-b737-max-7-to-2021 |url-status=live |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608083845/https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/69551-canadas-westjet-defers-maiden-b737-max-7-to-2021 |archive-date=June 8, 2019}} In 2022, Southwest announced that it would take early delivery of its MAX 8 orders to make up for the delay of the MAX 7.{{Cite press release |title=Southwest Airlines Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results |date=July 28, 2022 |url=https://www.swamedia.com/releases/release-92b97e3dd0978391a202b941af0050c3-southwest-airlines-reports-second-quarter-2022-results |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914163929/https://swamedia.com/releases/release-92b97e3dd0978391a202b941af0050c3-southwest-airlines-reports-second-quarter-2022-results |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Southwest Airlines Newsroom}}

{{As of|2024|1}}, Southwest has removed the MAX 7 from future fleet planning, however, the company said that it remained committed to the type, and was willing to wait until 2026 or 2027 for first delivery.{{Cite web |last=Josephs |first=Leslie |date=January 25, 2024 |title=Southwest Airlines takes Boeing Max 7 out of 2024 plans because of certification delays |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/25/southwest-airlines-takes-boeing-max-7-out-of-fleet-plan-for-2024.html |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=CNBC |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=January 30, 2024 |title=Southwest prepared to wait for delayed Boeing MAX 7s, executive says |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/southwest-airlines-not-looking-shift-airbus-aircraft-still-want-boeing-max-7s-2024-01-30/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |work=Reuters}} In July 2024, Boeing CEO David Calhoun estimated the MAX 7 could be certified in the first half of 2025.{{Cite web |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-ceo-sees-path-to-certificating-max-7-and-10-in-first-half-of-2025/159433.article |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=Flight Global |title=Boeing CEO sees path to certificating Max 7 and 10 in first half of 2025}}

File:Boeing 737-8 MAX FIA16 Belyakov (cropped).jpg|alt= ]]

The first variant developed in the 737 MAX series; the MAX 8 replaces the 737-800 with a longer fuselage than the MAX 7. In 2016, Boeing planned to improve its range from {{Convert|3515|nmi|abbr=out}} to {{Convert|3610|nmi|abbr=on}} after 2021.{{Cite news |date=October 31, 2016 |title=Boeing plans performance upgrade for 737 Max after 2021 |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-plans-performance-upgrade-for-737-max-after-2-430944/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101102557/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-plans-performance-upgrade-for-737-max-after-2-430944/ |archive-date=November 1, 2016}} On July 23, 2013, Boeing completed the firm configuration for the 737 MAX 8.{{cite web |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2013-07-23-Boeing-Completes-737-MAX-8-Firm-Configuration |title=Boeing Completes 737 MAX 8 Firm Configuration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923052701/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2013-07-23-Boeing-Completes-737-MAX-8-Firm-Configuration |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |publisher=Boeing |date=July 23, 2013}} The MAX 8 has a lower empty weight and higher maximum takeoff weight than the A320neo. During a test flight conducted for Aviation Week, while cruising at a true airspeed of {{Convert|449|knots|mph km/h|abbr=out}} and a weight of {{Convert|140,500|lb|kg|abbr=out}}, at a lower than optimal altitude (FL350 vs. the preferred FL390) and with an "unusually far forward" center of gravity, the test aircraft consumed {{Convert|4,460|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of fuel per hour.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 completed its first flight test in La Paz, Bolivia. The {{convert|13,300|ft|m|adj=on}} altitude at El Alto International Airport tested the MAX's capability to take off and land at high altitudes.{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2016 |title=737 MAX 8 performs first international flight |work=AeroLatin News |url=http://aerolatinnews.com/destacado/avion-737-max-8-realiza-primer-vuelo-internacional// |url-status=live |access-date=March 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408022445/http://aerolatinnews.com/destacado/avion-737-max-8-realiza-primer-vuelo-internacional/ |archive-date=April 8, 2019}} Its first commercial flight was operated by Malindo Air on May 22, 2017, between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as Flight OD803. In early 2017, a new MAX 8 was valued at $52.85{{nbsp}}million, rising to below $54.5{{nbsp}}million by mid{{nbsp}}2018.{{Cite news |date=September 17, 2018 |title=End of Line B737-800 Values Show Fatigue |work=Aircraft Value News |url=http://www.aircraftvaluenews.com/end-of-line-b737-800-values-show-fatigue/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917143543/http://www.aircraftvaluenews.com/end-of-line-b737-800-values-show-fatigue/ |archive-date=September 17, 2018}}

{{distinguish|Boeing 737-200}}

File:Hamburg Airport Ryanair Boeing 737-8200 MAX EI-HGZ (DSC06013).jpg with the extra pair of exit doors]]

In September 2014, Boeing launched a high-density version of the 737 MAX 8, the 737 MAX 200{{Cite web |date=September 9, 2014 |title=Boeing Launches 737 MAX 200 with Ryanair - Sep 8, 2014 |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2014-09-08-Boeing-Launches-737-MAX-200-with-Ryanair |access-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909004548/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2014-09-08-Boeing-Launches-737-MAX-200-with-Ryanair |archive-date=September 9, 2014 }} or 737-8-200,{{Cite press release |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Ryanair Places Its Biggest Boeing Order for up to 300 737 MAX Jets |url=https://investors.boeing.com/investors/news/press-release-details/2023/Ryanair-Places-Its-Biggest-Boeing-Order-for-up-to-300-737-MAX-Jets/default.aspx |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=Boeing}} named for seating for up to 200 passengers in a single-class high-density configuration with slimline seats; an extra pair of exit doors is required because of the higher passenger capacity. Boeing states that this version would be 20% more cost-efficient per seat than current 737 models and would be the most efficient narrow-body on the market when delivered, including 5% lower operating costs than the 737 MAX 8.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Launches 737 MAX 200 with Ryanair |date=September 8, 2014 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2014-09-08-Boeing-Launches-737-MAX-200-with-Ryanair |access-date=September 10, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909004548/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2014-09-08-Boeing-Launches-737-MAX-200-with-Ryanair |archive-date=September 9, 2014}}{{Cite web |last=Gates |first=Dominic |date=September 8, 2014 |title=Ryanair makes big order for 737 MAX jets that can carry 200 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2024491078_boeingryanairxml.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512212816/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2024491078_boeingryanairxml.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |newspaper=The Seattle Times}} Three of eight service trolleys are omitted to accommodate more passenger space.{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2014 |title=Update 5-Ryanair buys 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets, sees fare price war |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/boeing-ryanairhldgs-idUSL1N0R91WG20140908 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930180008/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/08/boeing-ryanairhldgs-idUSL1N0R91WG20140908 |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |website=Reuters}} An order by Ryanair for 100 aircraft was finalized in December 2014.{{Cite news |date=December 1, 2014 |title=Ryanair, Boeing Finalize Max 200 Deal |work=Aviation International News |url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2014-12-01/ryanair-boeing-finalize-max-200-deal |url-status=live |access-date=June 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617164933/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2014-12-01/ryanair-boeing-finalize-max-200-deal |archive-date=June 17, 2015}}

In mid-November 2018, the first of then 135 ordered by Ryanair rolled out, in a 197-seat configuration.{{Cite news |last=Noëth |first=Bart |date=November 19, 2018 |title=Ryanair's first Boeing 737 MAX 200 aircraft has rolled out of Boeing's final assembly line |work=Aviation24.be |url=https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/ryanair/first-boeing-737-max-200-aircraft-rolled-out-boeing-final-assembly-line/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817201156/https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/ryanair/first-boeing-737-max-200-aircraft-rolled-out-boeing-final-assembly-line/ |archive-date=August 17, 2020}} It was first flown from Renton on January 13, 2019,{{Cite news |title=First High-Capacity Boeing 737-8 Enters Flight Test Jan 23, 2019 Guy Norris |work=Aviation Week Network |url=http://aviationweek.com/awincommercial/first-high-capacity-boeing-737-8-enters-flight-test |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126163514/http://aviationweek.com/awincommercial/first-high-capacity-boeing-737-8-enters-flight-test |archive-date=January 26, 2019}} and was due to enter service in April 2019, with another four MAX 200s expected later in 2019,{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Oliver |date=February 14, 2019 |title=Ryanair Max to make debut at Stansted |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ryanair-max-to-make-debut-at-stansted-455782/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129034052/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ryanair-max-to-make-debut-at-stansted-455782/ |archive-date=November 29, 2019}} though certification and deliveries were deferred while the MAX was grounded. In November 2019, Ryanair informed its pilots that, due to an unspecified design issue with the additional over-wing exit doors, it did not expect to receive any MAX 200s until late April or early May 2020.{{Cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=November 26, 2019 |title=Boeing 737 Max re-certificaton likely to slide into 2020, Ryanair model faces new design issue |work=The Air Current |url=https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/boeing-737-max-re-certificaton-likely-to-slide-into-2020-ryanair-model-faces-new-design-issue/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129034052/https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/boeing-737-max-re-certificaton-likely-to-slide-into-2020-ryanair-model-faces-new-design-issue/ |archive-date=November 29, 2019}} In 2020, at the height of the COVID travel slump, Ryanair renegotiated its order and purchased an additional 75 MAX 200 aircraft at one-third of the list price.{{Cite news |date=March 23, 2023 |title=Every setback is an opportunity for Ryanair |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2023/03/23/every-setback-is-an-opportunity-for-ryanair}}

The high-density variant was certified by the FAA on March 31, 2021.{{Cite news |last=Pilar Wolfsteller |date=April 1, 2021 |title=FAA certificates Boeing 737 Max 8-200 variant |work=Flightglobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/faa-certificates-boeing-737-max-8-200-variant/143145.article |url-status=live |access-date=April 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401100100/https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/faa-certificates-boeing-737-max-8-200-variant/143145.article |archive-date=April 1, 2021}} Ryanair took delivery of its first MAX 200 in June 2021.{{Cite web |title=Ryanair Takes Delivery Of 1st Boeing 737 "Gamechanger" Aircraft – Ryanair's Corporate Website |url=https://corporate.ryanair.com/news/ryanair-takes-delivery-of-1st-boeing-737-gamechanger-aircraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621152416/https://corporate.ryanair.com/news/ryanair-takes-delivery-of-1st-boeing-737-gamechanger-aircraft/ |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |access-date=June 21, 2022 |website=corporate.ryanair.com|date=June 16, 2021 }} Besides launch customer Ryanair, other customers include International Airlines Group and low-cost airlines Akasa Air of India, Allegiant Air of the US, Arajet of the Dominican Republic and Vietnam's VietJet.{{Cite web |title=Boeing: Commercial |url=https://www.boeing.com/commercial/#/orders-deliveries |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991002201937/http://www.boeing.com/commercial/#/orders-deliveries |archive-date=October 2, 1999 |access-date=May 24, 2022 |website= boeing.com}}

Airlines have been shown a 737-8ERX concept based on the 737 MAX 8 with a higher {{Convert|194700|lb|t|abbr=out|adj=mid}} maximum take-off weight and a longer range of {{Convert|4000|nmi|abbr=out}} using the wings, landing gear, and central section from the MAX 9. The range of this aircraft would be closer to the Airbus A321LR, although with a smaller 150 seat capacity.{{Cite news |date=March 12, 2015 |title=Boeing showing 737-8ERX concept in response to A321LR |work=Leeham News |url=https://leehamnews.com/2015/03/12/draft-draft-draft-boeing-showing-737-8erx-concept-in-response-to-a321lr/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323234249/https://leehamnews.com/2015/03/12/draft-draft-draft-boeing-showing-737-8erx-concept-in-response-to-a321lr/ |archive-date=March 23, 2017}}

File:Boeing, N7379E, Boeing 737-9 MAX (cropped).jpg

The 737 MAX 9 replaces the 737-900 and has a longer fuselage than the MAX 8. In 2016, Boeing planned to improve its range from {{Convert|3510|nmi|abbr=out}} to {{Convert|3605|nmi|abbr=on}} after 2021. Lion Air was the launch customer with an order for 201 in February 2012. It made its roll-out on March 7, 2017, and first flight on April 13, 2017;{{Cite news |date=April 13, 2017 |title=Boeing's 737 MAX 9 takes off on first flight |work=The Seattle Times |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeings-737-max-9-ready-for-first-flight-thursday/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818071518/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeings-737-max-9-ready-for-first-flight-thursday/ |archive-date=August 18, 2020}} it took off from Renton Municipal Airport and landed at Boeing Field after a 2 hr 42 min flight.{{Cite news |date=April 13, 2017 |title=Boeing completes 737 Max 9 maiden flight |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-boeing-begins-737-max-9-flight-test-effor-436238/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414163529/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-boeing-begins-737-max-9-flight-test-effor-436238/ |archive-date=April 14, 2017}} It was presented at the 2017 Paris Air Show.{{Cite news |date=June 9, 2017 |title=Civil Aviation Programs To Watch |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |url=http://aviationweek.com/paris-air-show-2017/civil-aviation-programs-watch#slide-0-field_images-1639711 |url-status=live |access-date=June 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527121753/https://aviationweek.com/pike-space-force-should-be-established#slide-0-field_images-1639711 |archive-date=May 27, 2021}}

Boeing 737 MAX 9 flight tests were scheduled to run through 2017, with 30% of the {{nowrap begin}}-8{{nowrap end}} tests repeated; aircraft 1D001 was used for auto-land, avionics, flutter, and mostly stability-and-control trials, while 1D002 was used for environment control system testing. It was certified by February 2018.{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=February 16, 2018 |title=Boeing 737 Max 9 receives certification |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-737-max-9-receives-certification-445995/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510153424/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-737-max-9-receives-certification-445995/ |archive-date=May 10, 2019}} Asian low-cost carrier Lion Air Group took delivery of the first MAX 9 on March 21, 2018, before entering service with Thai Lion Air.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Delivers First 737 MAX 9 |date=March 21, 2018 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-03-21-Boeing-Delivers-First-737-MAX-9 |access-date=March 22, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911160746/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-03-21-Boeing-Delivers-First-737-MAX-9 |archive-date=September 11, 2020}} As the competing Airbus A321neo attracted more orders, the sale value of a 737 MAX 9, {{as of|lc=y|2018}}, was the same as a MAX 8 at $53{{nbsp}}million{{Cite news |date=November 12, 2018 |title=B737-9 EASA Certification Does Nothing for Values |work=Aircraft Value News |url=http://www.aircraftvaluenews.com/b737-9-easa-certification-does-nothing-for-values/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113170105/http://www.aircraftvaluenews.com/b737-9-easa-certification-does-nothing-for-values/ |archive-date=November 13, 2018}} (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=53000000|start_year=2018}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}).

File:737 MAX 10 Roll Out (Nov 2019) - 003.jpg

Loyal customers, such as Korean Air and United Airlines, pressed Boeing to develop a variant larger than the MAX 9 in order to compete with the Airbus A321neo, of which Boeing revealed studies in early 2016. As the Airbus A321neo had outsold the MAX 9 five-to-one, the proposed MAX 10 included a larger engine, stronger wings, and telescoping landing gear in mid-2016.{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=July 4, 2016 |title=Farnborough: Proposed stretch of 737 Max 9 possible, but challenging |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-proposed-stretch-of-737-max-9-possible-426628/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705150435/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-proposed-stretch-of-737-max-9-possible-426628/ |archive-date=July 5, 2016}} In September 2016, it was reported that the variant would be simpler and lower-risk, with a modest stretch of {{Convert|6|-|7|ft|sigfig=3|abbr=out}} for a length of {{Convert|143|-|144|ft|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}, seating 12–18 more passengers for 192–198 in a dual-class layout or 226-232 for a single class, needing an uprated {{Convert|31,000|lbf|kN|abbr=out}} LEAP-1B that could be available by 2019 or 2020, and would likely require a landing-gear modification to move the rotation point slightly aft.{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Guy |date=September 30, 2016 |title=Simpler 737-10X, New Midsize Airplane Both 'Doable' |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |url=http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/simpler-737-10x-new-midsize-airplane-both-doable |url-status=live |access-date=September 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930141607/http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/simpler-737-10x-new-midsize-airplane-both-doable |archive-date=September 30, 2016}}

In October 2016, Boeing's board of directors granted authority to offer the stretched variant with two extra fuselage sections forward and aft with a {{Convert|3100|nmi|abbr=out}} range, reduced from the {{Convert|3300|nmi|abbr=on}} range of the MAX 9. In early 2017, Boeing showed a {{Convert|66|in|m|abbr=out}} stretch to {{Convert|143|ft|m|abbr=on}}, enabling seating for 230 in a single class or 189 in two-class capacity, compared to 193 in two-class seating for the A321neo. The modest stretch of the MAX 10 enables the aircraft to retain the existing wing, and the Leap 1B engine from the MAX 9 with a trailing-link main landing gear as the only major change.{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Guy |date=January 10, 2017 |title=Boeing Defines Final 737 MAX Stretch Offering |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |url=http://aviationweek.com/technology/boeing-defines-final-737-max-stretch-offering |url-status=live |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131222215/http://aviationweek.com/technology/boeing-defines-final-737-max-stretch-offering |archive-date=January 31, 2017}} Boeing 737 MAX Vice President and General Manager Keith Leverkuhn said the design had to be frozen in 2018, for a 2020 introduction.{{Cite news |last=Flottau |first=Jens |date=March 10, 2017 |title=Customers Press Boeing To Launch New Midsize Widebody Aircraft Soon |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |url=http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/customers-press-boeing-launch-new-midsize-widebody-aircraft-soon |url-status=live |access-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310112256/http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/customers-press-boeing-launch-new-midsize-widebody-aircraft-soon |archive-date=March 10, 2017}}

Boeing hopes that 737 operators and 737 MAX customers like United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Lion Air, and Chinese airlines will be interested in the new variant.{{Cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=January 12, 2017 |title=Boeing chases airlines for stretch 737 |work=CNN |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/01/12/news/companies/boeing-chases-airlines-for-max-10/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019223538/https://money.cnn.com/2017/01/12/news/companies/boeing-chases-airlines-for-max-10/ |archive-date=October 19, 2020}} Boeing predicts a 5% lower trip cost and seat cost compared to the A321neo.{{Cite news |last=Tinseth |first=Randy |date=March 6, 2017 |title=MAX 10X |publisher=Boeing |url=http://www.boeingblogs.com/randy/archives/2017/03/max_10x_1.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126185251/http://www.boeingblogs.com/randy/archives/2017/03/max_10x_1.html |archive-date=November 26, 2017}} Air Lease Corporation wants it a year sooner; its CEO John Pleuger stated, "It would have been better to get the first airplane in March 2019, but I don't think that's possible."{{Cite news |last=Johnsson |first=Julie |date=March 7, 2017 |title=Boeing's Longest 737 Max Can't Debut Too Soon for One Buyer |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-07/boeing-s-longest-737-max-can-t-debut-soon-enough-for-one-buyer |url-status=live |access-date=March 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308223239/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-07/boeing-s-longest-737-max-can-t-debut-soon-enough-for-one-buyer |archive-date=March 8, 2017}} AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly is cautious and said the -9 and -10 "will cannibalize each other".

The 737 MAX 10 was launched on June 19, 2017, with 240 orders and commitments from more than ten customers.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Launches Larger Capacity 737 MAX 10 at 2017 Paris Air Show |date=June 19, 2017 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2017-06-19-Boeing-Launches-Larger-Capacity-737-MAX-10-at-2017-Paris-Air-Show |access-date=June 19, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626100818/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2017-06-19-Boeing-Launches-Larger-Capacity-737-MAX-10-at-2017-Paris-Air-Show |archive-date=June 26, 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Trimble |first=Stephen |date=June 19, 2017 |title=Boeing launches 737 Max 10 |publisher=Flightglobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-boeing-launches-737-max-10-438370/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510153358/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-boeing-launches-737-max-10-438370/ |archive-date=May 10, 2019}} United Airlines will be the largest 737 MAX 10 customer, converting 100 of their 161 orders for the MAX 9 into orders for the MAX 10.{{Cite news |last=Dron |first=Alan |date=June 20, 2017 |title=United converts 100 MAX to -10 variant; CALC includes -10s in order |work=Aviation Week Network |url=http://atwonline.com/paris-air-show-2017/united-converts-100-max-10-variant-calc-includes-10s-order |url-status=live |access-date=June 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623061204/http://atwonline.com/paris-air-show-2017/united-converts-100-max-10-variant-calc-includes-10s-order |archive-date=June 23, 2017}} Boeing ended the 2017 Paris Air Show with 361 orders and commitments, including 214 conversions, from 16 customers,{{Cite news |date=June 22, 2017 |title=Propelled by MAX 10, Boeing thumps Airbus at Paris Air Show |work=Leeham |url=https://leehamnews.com/2017/06/22/propelled-max-10-boeing-thumps-airbus-paris-air-show/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110014442/https://leehamnews.com/2017/06/22/propelled-max-10-boeing-thumps-airbus-paris-air-show/ |archive-date=January 10, 2019}} including 50 orders from Lion Air.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing, Lion Air Group Announce Commitment for 50 737 MAX 10s |date=June 19, 2017 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2017-06-19-Boeing-Lion-Air-Group-Announce-Commitment-for-50-737-MAX-10s |access-date=July 5, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630114801/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2017-06-19-Boeing-Lion-Air-Group-Announce-Commitment-for-50-737-MAX-10s |archive-date=June 30, 2017}}

The variant configuration was firmed up by February 2018,{{Cite press release |title=Boeing 737 MAX 10 Reaches Firm Configuration |date=February 6, 2018 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-02-06-Boeing-737-MAX-10-Reaches-Firm-Configuration |access-date=February 11, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919105022/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-02-06-Boeing-737-MAX-10-Reaches-Firm-Configuration |archive-date=September 19, 2020}} and by mid-2018, the critical design review was completed. {{As of|August 2018}}, assembly was underway with a first flight planned for late 2019. The semi-levered landing gear design has a telescoping oleo-pneumatic strut with a down-swinging lever to permit {{Convert|9.5|in|cm|abbr=out}} taller gear. Driven by the existing retraction system, a shrink-link mechanical linkage mechanism at the top of the leg, inspired by carrier aircraft designs, allows the gear to be drawn in and shortened while being retracted into the existing wheel well.{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Guy |date=August 30, 2018 |title=Boeing Unveils 737-10 Extended Main Landing Gear Design Details |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |url=http://aviationweek.com/new-civil-aircraft/boeing-unveils-737-10-extended-main-landing-gear-design-details |url-status=live |access-date=August 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902093747/http://aviationweek.com/new-civil-aircraft/boeing-unveils-737-10-extended-main-landing-gear-design-details |archive-date=September 2, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Guy |date=February 9, 2018 |title=Boeing Completes Configuration For Final 737 MAX Derivative |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |url=http://aviationweek.com/new-civil-aircraft/boeing-completes-configuration-final-737-max-derivative |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212091714/http://aviationweek.com/new-civil-aircraft/boeing-completes-configuration-final-737-max-derivative |archive-date=February 12, 2018}} Entry into service was slated for July 2020.{{Cite web |title=Airport Compatibility Brochure Boeing 737 MAX 10 |url=https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/737MAX10Brochure.pdf |access-date=February 12, 2019 |website=Boeing}}

On November 22, 2019, Boeing unveiled the first MAX 10 to employees in its Renton factory, Washington, scheduled for the first flight in 2020.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing 737 MAX 10 Makes its Debut |date=November 22, 2019 |publisher=Boeing |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130578 |access-date=November 23, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915173156/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130578 |archive-date=September 15, 2020}} At the time, 531 MAX 10s were on order, compared to the 3142 Airbus A321neos sold, capable of carrying 244 passengers or to fly up to {{Convert|4700|nmi|abbr=out}} in its heaviest A321XLR variant.{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=November 23, 2019 |title=Muted Boeing unveils 737 Max 10 |work=Flightglobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-muted-boeing-unveils-737-max-10-462495/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125144700/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-muted-boeing-unveils-737-max-10-462495/ |archive-date=November 25, 2019}} The MAX 10 has similar capacity as the A321XLR, but shorter range and much poorer field performance, greatly hindering its potential to service smaller airports as compared to the A321XLR.{{Cite news |date=February 23, 2020 |title=Why the A321XLR makes sense for Alaska Airlines |work=Leeham News and Analysis |url=https://leehamnews.com/2020/02/23/why-the-a321xlr-makes-sense-for-alaska-airlines/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312173432/https://leehamnews.com/2020/02/23/why-the-a321xlr-makes-sense-for-alaska-airlines/ |archive-date=March 12, 2021}}

By early 2021, Boeing expected 737 MAX 10 deliveries to start in 2023.{{Cite news |last=Jon Hemmerdinger |date=February 2, 2021 |title=Boeing delays 737 Max 10 deliveries two years, to 2023 |work=Flightglobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-delays-737-max-10-deliveries-two-years-to-2023/142245.article |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202191935/https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-delays-737-max-10-deliveries-two-years-to-2023/142245.article |archive-date=February 2, 2021}} The variant made its maiden flight on June 18, 2021, initiating its flight test and certification program.{{Cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |date=June 18, 2021 |title=Boeing 737 Max 10 makes maiden flight |work=Flight Global |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-737-max-10-makes-maiden-flight/144230.article |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627215105/https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/boeing-737-max-10-makes-maiden-flight/144230.article |archive-date=June 27, 2021}}

On June 29, 2021, United Airlines placed an order for another 150 of the Boeing 737 MAX 10. These MAX 10 will replace a large number of United's older Boeing 757-200s.{{Cite news |last=Dominic Gates |date=June 29, 2021 |title=United orders 200 Boeing 737 MAX planes in huge boost for the jet program |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/united-orders-200-boeing-737-max-planes-in-huge-boost-for-the-jet-program/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705065320/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/united-orders-200-boeing-737-max-planes-in-huge-boost-for-the-jet-program/ |archive-date=July 5, 2021}} In January 2024, United CEO Kirby noted in an interview that the airline was in the process of developing plans that did not include the MAX 10 in its future fleet.{{Cite web |last=Josephs |first=Leslie |date=January 23, 2024 |title=United CEO casts doubt on 737 Max 10 order after Boeing's recent problems |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/23/united-ceo-casts-doubt-on-boeing-737-max-10-order.html |access-date=January 23, 2024 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

In September 2021, Ryanair failed to reach an agreement with Boeing over an order of MAX 10s, citing cost as a primary concern.{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2021 |title=Ryanair Fail To Reach Agreement Over Boeing MAX10's – Travel Radar |url=https://travelradar.aero/ryanair-fail-to-reach-agreement-over-boeing-max10s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914120758/https://travelradar.aero/ryanair-fail-to-reach-agreement-over-boeing-max10s/ |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=September 14, 2021 |website=Travel Radar – Aviation News}} However, in May 2023, Ryanair announced the order of 150 MAX 10s and an option to purchase a further 150.{{Cite web |last=Goodbody |first=Will |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Ryanair inks $40bn Boeing deal for up to 300 new 737-MAX-10 aircraft |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/0509/1382605-ryanair-boeing-deal/ |access-date=May 9, 2023 |publisher=RTE News}}

In November 2022, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stanley Deal told investors at a conference that the MAX 10 was expected to enter service in 2024, though this did not happen. By October 2023, deliveries were anticipated in early 2025.{{Cite news |last1=Guy Norris |last2=Sean Broderick |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Boeing Closing In On 737-7, 737-10 Certification Milestones |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/boeing-closing-737-7-737-10-certification-milestones |work=Aviation Week}} In July 2024, Boeing CEO David Calhoun estimated the MAX 10 could be certified in the first half of 2025. By October 2024, Delta Air Lines expected to receive its first deliveries of the MAX 10 in 2026.{{cite news |last1=Velani |first1=Bhavya |title=Delta Air Lines to Receive its First 737 MAX 10 in 2026 |url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2024/10/13/delta-to-recieve-first-737-max-10-in-2026/ |work=Aviation A2Z |date=October 13, 2024}}

The BBJ MAX 8 and BBJ MAX 9 are business jet variants of the 737 MAX 8 and 9, with new CFM LEAP-1B engines and advanced winglets providing 13% better fuel burn than the Boeing Business Jet; the BBJ MAX 8 has a {{Convert|6325|nmi|-1|abbr=out}} range, and the BBJ MAX 9 a {{Convert|6255|nmi|km|-1|abbr=on}} range.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Business Jets to Offer the BBJ MAX |date=October 29, 2012 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2012-10-29-Boeing-Business-Jets-to-Offer-the-BBJ-MAX |access-date=November 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103233804/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2012-10-29-Boeing-Business-Jets-to-Offer-the-BBJ-MAX |archive-date=November 3, 2016}} The BBJ MAX 7 was unveiled in October 2016, with a {{Convert|7000|nmi|-1|abbr=on}} range and 10% lower operating costs than the original BBJ, while being larger.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing Business Jets Unveils BBJ MAX 7 |date=October 31, 2016 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=129797 |access-date=November 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133015/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=129797 |archive-date=October 31, 2018}} The BBJ MAX 8 first flew on April 16, 2018, before delivery later the same year, and has a range of {{Convert|6,640|nmi|-1|abbr=on}} with an auxiliary fuel tank.{{Cite press release |title=Milestone paves the way for delivery of the newest version of the best-selling business jetliner |date=April 16, 2018 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-04-16-Boeing-Business-Jets-Celebrates-Flyaway-of-First-BBJ-MAX-Airplane |access-date=April 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133013/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-04-16-Boeing-Business-Jets-Celebrates-Flyaway-of-First-BBJ-MAX-Airplane |archive-date=October 31, 2018}}

{{As of|2023|10}}, the five largest operators of the Boeing 737 MAX were Southwest Airlines (207), United Airlines (145), Ryanair Holdings (126), Alaska Airlines (62), and American Airlines (54).{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

{{Main|List of Boeing 737 MAX orders and deliveries}}

American Airlines was the first disclosed customer. By November 17, 2011, there were 700 commitments from nine customers, including Lion Air and SMBC Aviation Capital.{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2011 |title=Lion Air commits to up to 380 Boeing 737s |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/lion-air-commits-to-up-to-380-boeing-737s-365027/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119172227/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/lion-air-commits-to-up-to-380-boeing-737s-365027/ |archive-date=November 19, 2011 |access-date=November 18, 2011 |website=Air Transport Intelligence News |publisher=FlightGlobal}}{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2011 |title=ACG Becomes third identified 737 Max customer |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/acg-becomes-third-identified-737-max-customer-365044/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120123601/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/acg-becomes-third-identified-737-max-customer-365044/ |archive-date=November 20, 2011 |access-date=November 18, 2011}} By December 2011, the 737 MAX had 948 commitments and firm orders from thirteen customers.{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2011 |title=737 Max commitments top 948 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/737-max-commitments-top-948-365947/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230142732/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/737-max-commitments-top-948-365947/ |archive-date=December 30, 2013 |access-date=December 15, 2011 |website=Air Transport Intelligence News |publisher=FlightGlobal}} On September 8, 2014, Ryanair agreed to 100 firm orders with 100 options.{{Cite web |title=Ryanair places $22bn order with Boeing, buys up to 200 new aircraft |url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ryanair-places-22bn-order-with-boeing-buys-up-to-200-new-aircraft-30564972.html#sthash.6NLAipaR.dpuf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608180503/http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ryanair-places-22bn-order-with-boeing-buys-up-to-200-new-aircraft-30564972.html#sthash.6NLAipaR.dpuf |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |website=Independent.ie|date=September 5, 2014 }} In January 2017, aircraft leasing company GECAS ordered 75.{{Cite press release |title=Boeing, GECAS Announce Order for 75 737 MAXs |date=January 4, 2017 |publisher=Boeing |url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/GECAS-Orders-75-737-MAXs |access-date=January 4, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105175957/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/GECAS-Orders-75-737-MAXs |archive-date=January 5, 2017}} By January 2019 the 737 MAX had 5,011 firm orders from 78 identified customers, with the top three being Southwest Airlines with 280, flydubai with 251, and Lion Air with 251. The first 737 MAX 8 was delivered to Malindo Air on May 16, 2017.

Following the groundings in March 2019, Boeing suspended all deliveries of 737 MAX aircraft,{{Cite news |date=March 12, 2019 |title=Lion Air Said to Plan Airbus Order Switch After Boeing 737 Crash |agency=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-12/lion-air-suspends-delivery-of-boeing-max-jets-after-africa-crash |url-status=live |access-date=April 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330223151/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-12/lion-air-suspends-delivery-of-boeing-max-jets-after-africa-crash |archive-date=March 30, 2019}} reduced production from 52 to 42 aircraft per month, and on December 16, 2019, announced that production would be suspended from January 2020 to conserve cash. At the time of the grounding, the 737 MAX had 4,636 unfilled orders{{Cite news |last=Sutherland |first=Brooke |date=March 19, 2019 |title=China's Boeing Threat Has More Bite Than Bark |agency=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-03-19/boeing-ba-may-feel-china-trade-bite-after-all |url-status=live |access-date=March 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503083457/https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-03-19/boeing-ba-may-feel-china-trade-bite-after-all |archive-date=May 3, 2019}} valued at an estimated $600{{nbsp}}billion.{{Cite news |last1=Genga |first1=Bella |last2=Odeh |first2=Layan |date=March 13, 2019 |title=Boeing's 737 Max Problems Put $600 Billion in Orders at Risk |publisher=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-14/boeing-s-600-billion-in-max-orders-at-risk-as-airlines-retreat |url-status=live |access-date=March 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324053603/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-14/boeing-s-600-billion-in-max-orders-at-risk-as-airlines-retreat |archive-date=March 24, 2020}}{{Cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Liz |last2=Freed |first2=Jamie |date=January 15, 2020 |title=Malaysia Airlines suspends Boeing 737 MAX deliveries due to jet's grounding |work=Reuters |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-boeing-737-max-malaysia/malaysia-airlines-suspends-delivery-of-boeing-737-max-jets-due-in-2020-idUKKBN1ZE07G |url-status=dead |access-date=January 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035206/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-boeing-737-max-malaysia/malaysia-airlines-suspends-delivery-of-boeing-737-max-jets-due-in-2020-idUKKBN1ZE07G |archive-date=January 16, 2020}} Boeing produced over 450 MAX aircraft awaiting delivery, about half of which are expected to be delivered in 2021, and the majority of the remainder in 2022. By November 30, 2020, at the time of the ungrounding, the unfilled orders stood at 4,039 aircraft.{{Cite news |last=Johnsson |first=Julie |date=December 8, 2020 |title=Boeing Loses 23 Max Orders as Virgin Australia Remakes Fleet |publisher=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-08/boeing-loses-23-max-orders-as-virgin-australia-remakes-fleet |url-status=live |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108232053/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-08/boeing-loses-23-max-orders-as-virgin-australia-remakes-fleet |archive-date=January 8, 2021}} In November 2021, during the Dubai Airshow, Boeing received 72 firm orders from a new 737 MAX customer, India based Akasa Air,{{Cite web |title=Akasa Air Orders 72 Fuel-Efficient 737 MAX Airplanes to Launch Service in Fast-Growing Indian Market |url=https://investors.boeing.com/investors/investor-news/press-release-details/2021/Akasa-Air-Orders-72-Fuel-Efficient-737-MAX-Airplanes-to-Launch-Service-in-Fast-Growing-Indian-Market/default.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722163613/https://investors.boeing.com/investors/investor-news/press-release-details/2021/Akasa-Air-Orders-72-Fuel-Efficient-737-MAX-Airplanes-to-Launch-Service-in-Fast-Growing-Indian-Market/default.aspx |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |access-date=June 27, 2022}} to be fulfilled over a 4-year period with first delivery in June 2022.{{Cite news |last=Chowdhury |first=Anirban |title=Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-owned Akasa Air receives first Boeing aircraft |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/rakesh-jhunjhunwala-owned-akasa-air-receives-first-boeing-aircraft/articleshow/92245173.cms |url-status=live |access-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627015051/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/rakesh-jhunjhunwala-owned-akasa-air-receives-first-boeing-aircraft/articleshow/92245173.cms |archive-date=June 27, 2022}} In late January 2022 Boeing was working to clear the remaining inventory of 335 MAX aircraft and estimated most of them would be delivered by the end of 2023. In December 2022, the 1000th 737 MAX was delivered. In July 2023, Boeing first revealed the 737 MAX sub-type orders as follows: 2,751 MAX 8 (63%), 810 MAX 10 (19%), 344 MAX 200 (8%), 297 MAX 7 (7%), and 137 MAX 9 (3%).{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Scott |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Boeing reveals sub-type orders for MAX, 777X for the first time |work=Leeham News |url=https://leehamnews.com/2023/08/09/boeing-reveals-sub-type-orders-for-max-777x-for-the-first-time/ |access-date=August 10, 2023}}

{{as of|2025|4|df=US}}, the 737 MAX has 4,742 unfilled orders and 1,813 deliveries.

{{trim|{{#section-h:List of Boeing 737 MAX orders and deliveries|Orders and deliveries by year}}}}

{{See also|Boeing 737 MAX groundings|List of accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 737#737 MAX (MAX 7/8/200/9/10)}}

{{As of| 2023}}, the 737 MAX series had experienced 1.48 fatal hull loss accidents for every million takeoffs.{{cite web |date=September 2023 |title=Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/techissues/pdf/statsum.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101005316/http://www.boeing.com/news/techissues/pdf/statsum.pdf |archive-date=November 1, 2014 |access-date=June 30, 2024 |publisher=Boeing |page=10}}

{{Main|Lion Air Flight 610}}

File:Lion Air Boeing 737-MAX8; @CGK 2018 (31333957778).jpg]]

On October 29, 2018, Lion Air Flight 610, a recently-delivered 737 MAX 8, crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia. The flight was a scheduled domestic flight to Depati Amir Airport, Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia. All 189 people on board died. This was the first fatal aviation crash and first hull loss of a 737 MAX. The aircraft had been delivered to Lion Air two months earlier.{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2018 |title=Lion Air: How could a brand new plane crash? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46014260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328005918/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46014260 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |access-date=March 14, 2019 |website=BBC News Online}}{{Cite web |last=Kami |first=Indah Mutiara |date=October 29, 2018 |title=Breaking News: Basarnas Pastikan Pesawat Lion Air JT 610 Jatuh |url=https://news.detik.com/berita/4277520/breaking-news-basarnas-pastikan-pesawat-lion-air-jt-610-jatuh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029112221/https://news.detik.com/berita/4277520/breaking-news-basarnas-pastikan-pesawat-lion-air-jt-610-jatuh |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |access-date=October 30, 2018 |website=Detik.com}} People familiar with the investigation reported that during a flight piloted by a different crew on the day before the crash, the same aircraft experienced a similar malfunction but an extra pilot sitting in the cockpit jumpseat correctly diagnosed the problem and told the crew how to disable the malfunctioning Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) flight-control system.{{Cite news |last1=Levin |first1=Alan |last2=Suhartono |first2=Harry |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Pilot Who Hitched a Ride Saved Lion Air 737 Day Before Deadly Crash |agency=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-19/how-an-extra-man-in-cockpit-saved-a-737-max-that-later-crashed |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320012103/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-19/how-an-extra-man-in-cockpit-saved-a-737-max-that-later-crashed |archive-date=March 20, 2019}} Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee released its final report into the crash on October 25, 2019,{{Cite web |title=Aircraft Accident Investigation Report. PT. Lion Airlines Boeing 737 (MAX); PK-LQP Tanjung Karawang, West Java, Republic of Indonesia 29 October 2018 |url=http://knkt.dephub.go.id/knkt/ntsc_aviation/baru/2018%20-%20035%20-%20PK-LQP%20Final%20Report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025171953/http://knkt.dephub.go.id/knkt/ntsc_aviation/baru/2018%20-%20035%20-%20PK-LQP%20Final%20Report.pdf |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 |publisher=Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi}} attributing the crash to the MCAS pushing the aircraft into a dive due to data from a faulty angle-of-attack sensor, causing the aircraft to think it was pitching up more than it was in reality. Following the Lion Air crash, Boeing issued an operational manual guidance, advising airlines on how to address erroneous cockpit readings.{{Cite news |date=November 7, 2018 |title=Boeing issues operational manual guidance to airlines following Lion Air crash |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/asia/boeing-airline-advice-lion-air-intl/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145733/https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/asia/boeing-airline-advice-lion-air-intl/index.html |archive-date=November 7, 2018}}

{{Main|Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302}}

File:Ethiopian Airlines ET-AVJ takeoff.jpg]]

On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, operated by a four-month-old 737 MAX 8, crashed approximately six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2019 |title=Ethiopian Airlines: 'No survivors' on crashed Boeing 737 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-47513508 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310084636/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-47513508 |archive-date=March 10, 2019 |access-date=March 10, 2019 |website=BBC News Online}} on a scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya,{{Cite web |title=Official pressrelease |url=https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/corporate/media/media-relations/latest-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106092811/https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/corporate/media/media-relations/latest-press/ |archive-date=November 6, 2018 |access-date=March 10, 2019 |website=ethiopianairlines.com}} killing all 149 passengers and 8 crew members. The cause of the crash was initially unclear, though the aircraft's vertical speed after takeoff was reported to be unstable.{{Cite news |last1=Watts |first1=Jonathan |last2=Burke |first2=Jason |date=March 10, 2019 |title=Ethiopian Airlines crash: inquiry to explore how 'excellent' pilot was unable to avert disaster |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/10/ethiopian-airlines-says-kenya-flight-with-157-onboard-has-crashed |url-status=live |access-date=March 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310085943/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/10/ethiopian-airlines-says-kenya-flight-with-157-onboard-has-crashed |archive-date=March 10, 2019}} Evidence retrieved on the crash site suggests, that at the time of the crash, the aircraft was configured to dive, similar to Lion Air Flight 610.{{Cite web |last1=Lazo |first1=Luz |last2=Schemm |first2=Paul |last3=Aratani |first3=Lori |title=Investigators find 2nd piece of key evidence in crash of Boeing 737 Max 8 in Ethiopia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/french-start-analysis-ethiopian-airlines-black-boxes-as-new-evidence-appears/2019/03/15/87770e8c-468f-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317203009/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/french-start-analysis-ethiopian-airlines-black-boxes-as-new-evidence-appears/2019/03/15/87770e8c-468f-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html |archive-date=March 17, 2019 |access-date=March 16, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} The similarity of the physical and flight data evidence from the accidents led to the global 737 MAX groundings beginning on the day of the second accident,{{Cite web |last=Asquith |first=James |date=August 19, 2019 |title=When Will the Boeing 737 MAX Fly Again? Not This Year |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesasquith/2019/08/19/when-will-the-boeing-737-max-fly-again-not-this-year/#8974b223528a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821010744/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesasquith/2019/08/19/when-will-the-boeing-737-max-fly-again-not-this-year/#8974b223528a |archive-date=August 21, 2019 |access-date=August 21, 2019 |website=Forbes}} with the Aircraft returning to service on December 9th, 2020.

{{Main|Alaska Airlines Flight 1282}}

File:N704AL 2023-10-28 KBFI.jpg]]

On January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, a 737 MAX 9, suffered an uncontrolled decompression shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport due to a mid-cabin exit door plug blow-out shortly after takeoff.{{cite news |last=Yoon |first=John |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/05/business/alaska-airlines-flight-portland-landing.html |title=Alaska Airlines Plane Forced to Land at Oregon Airport Shortly After Takeoff |work=The New York Times |date=January 5, 2024 |access-date=January 5, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Petchenik |first=Ian |date=January 6, 2024 |title=Alaska Airlines 737-9 MAX exit door separates in flight |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/alaska-airlines-737-9-max-exit-door-separates-in-flight/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106095031/https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/alaska-airlines-737-9-max-exit-door-separates-in-flight/ |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |website=Flightradar24 Blog}} The MAX 9, like the 737-900ER, features a rear mid-cabin exit door on each side behind the wings that is required when used with dense seating configurations. On less densely configured aircraft, those exit doors are not required and door plugs are installed in their place, as was the case on this aircraft.

The plane returned to Portland, and there were no fatalities or significant injuries among the 171 passengers and 6 crew on board. Some small personal belongings, along with cabin trim such as seat covers and headrests, were sucked out of the opening. According to some passengers, a child seated nearby had his shirt pulled off and sucked out of the aircraft while his mother held him.{{Cite news |first1=Audrey |last1=McAvoy |first2=David |last2=Koenig |url=https://apnews.com/article/alaska-airlines-portland-oregon-emergency-landing-b522e36ff228b5ea9a89ea13ee24f597 |title=Federal officials order grounding of some Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners after plane suffers a blowout |publisher=Associated Press |date=January 6, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Hradecky |first=Simon |date=January 6, 2024 |title=Accident: Alaska B39M at Portland on Jan 5th 2024, emergency exit and panel separated in flight |url=https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51354f78&opt=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106225013/https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51354f78&opt=0 |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |publisher=The Aviation Herald}} The FAA, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and the NTSB quickly acknowledged the accident and an investigation was launched.{{cite news |last1=Shepeardson |first1=David |last2=Insinna |first2=Valerie |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-safety-board-investigating-alaska-airlines-boeing-737-max-9-emergency-landing-2024-01-06/ |title=U.S. safety board investigating Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 emergency landing |publisher=Reuters |date=January 5, 2024 |access-date=January 5, 2024}} As a precautionary measure, Alaska Airlines grounded their 737 MAX 9 fleet.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/06/alaska-airlines-grounds-boeing-737-max-9-planes-after-mid-air-window-blowout |title=Alaska Airlines grounds Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after mid-air window blowout |work=The Guardian |date=January 6, 2024}} Hours later, the FAA ordered the grounding and inspection of 171 aircraft from the global 737 MAX 9 fleet with similar configuration to the incident aircraft, along with corrective action if necessary.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/alaska-airlines-portland-oregon-emergency-landing-b522e36ff228b5ea9a89ea13ee24f597 |title=Federal officials order grounding of Boeing 737-9 Max jetliners after a plane suffers a blowout |publisher=Apnews.com |date=January 6, 2024}} Alaska Airlines and United Airlines both reported finding loose door plug bolts on some of the aircraft inspected.{{cite news |title=Boeing 737 Max 9: United Airlines finds loose bolts in jet inspections |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67919436 |date=January 8, 2024}}

On February 5, 2024, the NTSB said in its preliminary report that the four key bolts that should have secured the door plug were not installed on delivery to Alaska Airlines because Boeing had opened the door plug at its Renton factory to repair damaged rivets, then failed to secure it.{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Key bolts missing when Boeing delivered Alaska blowout jet, NTSB report says |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/ntsb-report-on-alaska-flight-1282-says-key-bolts-missing-when-boeing-delivered-jet/ |access-date=February 7, 2024 |website=The Seattle Times}}

In May 2024, US authorities were investigating an incident which occurred on Southwest Airlines Flight 746 from Phoenix to Oakland. The 737 MAX 8 airliner experienced Dutch roll and some damage to the rudder standby power control unit was reported.{{cite news |title=The FAA is investigating a new incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet in midair |date=June 13, 2024 |last=Rose |first=Joel |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/06/13/nx-s1-5004725/boeing-737-max-southwest-dutch-roll |access-date=August 17, 2024}}{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/dutch-roll-during-southwest-airlines-flight-causes-structural-damage-to-plane/articleshow/111011968.cms |title='Dutch roll' during Southwest Airlines flight causes structural damage to plane |newspaper=The Times of India}}

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{{Portal|Aviation}}

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• Boeing Business Jet

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• Airbus A220-300
• Airbus A320neo family
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• Yakovlev MC-21

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{{reflist|group=n}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Robison |first=Peter |title=Flying Blind: The 737 MAX Tragedy and the Fall of Boeing |publisher=Doubleday |year=2021 |isbn=978-0-385-54649-2 |location=New York |type=Hardcover}}
• {{Cite news |last=Wise |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Wise |date=March 11, 2019 |title=Where did Boeing go wrong? |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/technology/2019/03/ethiopian-air-crash-where-did-boeing-go-wrong-with-the-737-max.html}}
• {{Cite news |date=January 27, 2016 |title=Countdown to Launch: The Boeing 737 MAX Timeline |work=Airways |url=https://airwaysmag.com/industry/boeing-737-max-timeline/ |access-date=January 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331120516/https://airwaysmag.com/industry/boeing-737-max-timeline/ |archive-date=March 31, 2019}}

{{commons and category|Boeing 737 MAX}}

• {{official website|https://www.boeing.com/commercial/737max/}}
• {{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Paul |date=May 12, 2017 |title=Flight test: Boeing's 737 Max – the same but different |work=FlightGlobal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/flight-test-boeings-737-max-the-same-but-differe-437170/}}
• {{Cite web |title=Boeing's Fatal Flaw (full documentary) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXMO0bhPhCw |access-date=September 19, 2021 |website=Frontline PBS | date=September 14, 2021 |language=en}}

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737 MAX

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737 MAX