Boeing prepares new single-aisle aircraft to replace 737 Max

International

US manufacturer explores successor design amid safety legacy and Airbus competition

Boeing is moving ahead with early plans to develop a new narrow-body, single-aisle aircraft intended to succeed its troubled 737 Max, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The project, not yet officially announced, is in preliminary stages and subject to approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Leadership changes and engine talks

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has appointed a senior product chief within the company’s commercial aircraft division to oversee the new program. Earlier this year, Ortberg met Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilic in the UK to discuss potential engine supply. At a September investor event, Erginbilic confirmed that a new aircraft project would shape the company’s future direction.

Focus on efficiency and new design

The proposed model is expected to feature a lighter structure, reworked fuselage design, and next-generation engine architecture. Boeing has set a target of at least 15% greater fuel efficiency compared to current models. Development costs are projected to run into tens of billions of dollars.

Replacing a troubled legacy

The move comes as Boeing continues to manage the legacy of the 737 Max, which was grounded globally after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people. The aircraft, introduced in 2017, has since returned to service under strict FAA supervision. Boeing agreed in 2021 to $2.5 billion in compensation and penalties while strengthening safety oversight and management.

The company also faces reputational challenges after the crash of a Boeing 737-800 in South Korea in December 2024, the country’s deadliest aviation accident.

Regaining ground against Airbus

Boeing currently has around 6,000 commercial aircraft in its order backlog, which it aims to deliver and certify before introducing a new model. However, industry analysts note that the company is under pressure to recover market share lost to Airbus in recent years.