Boeing has officially received the green light from the FAA to use its brand new 737-7 airplane for commercial purposes.
“Our team of dedicated engineers and test experts worked through challenges, an extended pandemic, and the transition to new certification processes,” Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplane, said in a statement Monday. “Through it all, our team stayed focused on completing all requirements and delivering a safe and more capable airplane to our customers.”
According to the same statement, the new 737-7 plane is the smallest in the MAX lineup, with just 135 to 160 seats. To compare, the 737-8 can fit 160 to 180 people, the 737-9 about 175 to 195, and the 737-10 anywhere from 185 to 210 people.
That being said, despite its small size, the 737-7 was designed to travel long distances. Currently, it can travel a maximum of 3,800 nautical miles, according to the statement. That is 700 more nautical miles than the 737-10.
Boeing also notes that the 737-7 cuts fuel use and CO2 emissions by 20%, compared to planes it will eventually replace.
The 737-7 started its tests eight years ago, and Boeing notes that over 1,000 hours of testing, as well as “extensive system safety analysis and human factors reviews” contributed to the FAA’s certification.
The first 737-7 airplane is set to debut with Southwest Airlines soon, with the airlines now just waiting for Boeing to provide them with their first plane.
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