SEATTLE - On May 15, Boeing and Southwest Airlines announced the launch of the 737 MAX 7, the third member of the 737 MAX family. The Dallas-based carrier and launch customer for the 737 MAX program became the first airline to order the 737 MAX 7, when it converted 30 existing orders for Next-Generation 737s into orders for the 737 MAX 7.
Southwest also exercised options to add five more Next-Generation 737-800s to its fleet. These airplanes, along with the 737 MAX 7s, are part of Southwest's ongoing effort to improve fuel efficiency and profitability. The 737 MAX 7 supports Southwest's expanding fleet modernization effort. Southwest is expected to take its first 737 MAX 7 delivery in 2019.
The 110-foot-long airplane incorporates the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver improved fuel efficiency. The 737 MAX 7 also will extend the range over today's 737-700 by approximately 400 nautical miles (741 km). With the MAX 7 conversions and exercised options for 737-800s, Southwest's unfilled orders consist of 180 737 MAX airplanes and 137 Next-Generation 737s. The 737 MAX now has orders for 1,315 airplanes.
