Aircraft

Boeing has designated its re-engined 737, the 737 MAX, re-launching its narrowbody family as the 737 MAX 7, 8 and 9 with CFM International Leap-1B engines.

"The 737 MAX will deliver maximum efficiency, maximum reliability and the Boeing Sky Interior will continue to offer maximum passenger comfort," said Nicole Piasecki, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of business development and strategic integration.

"We call it the 737 MAX because it optimises everything we and our customers have learned about designing, building, maintaining and operating the world's best single-aisle airplane," added Piasecki, who said the aircraft aims to meet the 99.7% dispatch reliability of the current 737 family offering.

Boeing has dropped the 100-seat 737-600 from its next offering, which had never been a big seller, choosing to re-engine the -700, -800 and -900ER, creating the 737-7, -8 and -9.

Entry into service is expected in 2017

The variants, announced 30 August, were given the MAX designation in a press conference at Boeing Commercial Airplanes Customer Experience Centre near its Renton, Washington facility.

Boeing to date has received 496 orders from five airlines, including 100 from American Airlines which will receive its first in 2018 after it concludes taking delivery of 100 newly ordered 737NG aircraft the year prior.