Source: The Points Guy
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted certification to Boeing’s 737 MAX 7, a variant of the 737 MAX family that can carry between 135 to 160 passengers and has a range of up to 4,300 miles. Southwest Airlines is set to be the launch customer, with delivery expected in the coming months. The certification comes after more than four years of delays due to technical issues and safety concerns. Boeing has already built around 30 MAX 7s and nine MAX 10s.
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The destination is rediscovered.
Airlines will use the 737 MAX 7 on longer, thinner routes that don’t have enough demand to support a larger wide-body plane. Southwest Airlines plans to begin flying passengers on the MAX 7 three to six months after delivery. The airline’s current schedule does not include any routes or frequencies using the plane. The 737 MAX 7 has a relatively low per-seat operating cost thanks to its efficient engines. The FAA required the MAX 7 to incorporate key improvements, including updates to the flight-control software and a redesigned engine anti-ice system. The trip promises a break from the usual routine of flying on larger planes.
The escape is carefully planned, with Boeing building around 30 MAX 7s and nine MAX 10s before certification.
Author: Evan Null
