Are airlines prioritizing investment in technologically-advanced narrowbody aircraft instead of widebodies? It is hard to generalize, but opening a fourth assembly line for the Boeing 737 MAX indeed says something about the aircraft demand the US manufacturer Boeing forecasts for the future. Let's look closely at what Boeing has in store.

Boeing to open a fourth assembly line for the 737 MAX

Over the last few years, Boeing and Airbus have progressively invested in developing technologically advanced versions of their narrowbody families of aircraft, the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320. Increasingly more carriers have responded positively to the projects, to the point that Boeing has announced today the opening of a fourth production line for the 737 MAX in Everett.

The rationale behind choosing Everett as the location for the additional production line lies in the fact that the manufacturer's jet plant in the US state of Washington is getting emptier with the end of Boeing 747 production and the relocation of the Boeing 787 project. Adding to the three already existing production lines in Renton (although just two are currently active), the opening of the fourth one allows the US manufacturer to boost production of the family of narrowbody aircraft.

Indeed, in 2022, Boeing reportedly produced an average of 20 to 25 Boeing 737s a month, missing the target quota of 31. Nonetheless, Boeing took advantage of the 737s it had manufactured during the grounding of the aircraft type, thus being able not only to achieve but to overcome the delivery target of 357 aircraft. However, this is still markedly lower than the number of Airbus A320 family aircraft delivered in 2022: 516.

Photo: Jack Darling Photo/Shutterstock

The need to rapidly ramp up production of the Boeing 737 MAX reflects Boeing's forecasts of aircraft demand over the next twenty years. In its Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) for 2022-2041, Boeing expects the single-aisle market to experience the most significant expansion, with a projected 50% growth.

According to an internal memo seen by The Seattle Times, the CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Stan Deal, referred to opening the new line in the second half of 2024. Activating a production line for a project like the Boeing 737 MAX is no easy task, even for Boeing.

In the note, Deal affirmed that Boeing has already started notifying suppliers, customers, and unions. Concluding the notice to the employees, Boeing's Commercial Airplanes' CEO highlighted how the top priorities during the process of activating the new plant will be safety and quality.

What do we know about the Boeing 737 production line so far?

With the news of the fourth Boeing 737 MAX production line being released today, there are few details available.

According to Boeing's Commercial Airplanes CEO, the Boeing 737 MAX production line in Everett will take the place of what used to be the Boeing 787 assembly bay. However, Boeing is still working on the Boeing 787 project, with some aircraft currently stored in Everett needing restructuring work to the fuselage. However, all Boeing 787s will be moved to the - sadly - empty Boeing 747 assembly bay.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying

In the note to the employees, Deal clarified that Boeing is not moving the whole Boeing 737 MAX production from Renton to Everett. Indeed, most of the employees working on the Boeing 737 MAX project will continue working in Renton, where the third production line is also being reactivated.

The production bay in Everett aims to increase capacity and will focus on the latest variants of the 737 MAX, such as the Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 and the Boeing 737 MAX 10.

Goodbye 747

The announcement of a fresh production line comes as Boeing prepares to make the final delivery of the 747 ever. The Queen of Skies, which first took to the skies almost 54 years ago to the day, is now heading into the sunset. The final quad-engine beauty is a 747-8F destined for Atlas Air, which will hopefully remain in the skies for decades to come and generations more to enjoy.

Do you think that airlines are progressively favoring technologically-advanced narrowbodies over widebodies? Let us know by clicking on the comment button below!

Source: The Seattle Times; FlightGlobal