Boeing’s Plans to Replace its Best-Selling 737 with New Aircraft in the 2030s

Boeing is planning to replace the 737, its best-selling narrowbody aircraft, with a new design in the future. However, the exact timeline and specifications of the 737 replacement are not yet clear, as Boeing is facing several challenges and uncertainties in the market.

The Covid epidemic changed the air transport landscape drastically. Small jets are in, big jets are out. During 2020 and 2021 airlines have been taking delivery and ordering mainly single-isle jets. Looking forward to 2025 and beyond, should Boeing invest in its 797 New Midsize Airplane (NMA) project or replace it’s best selling 737 with a brand new 150 to 250 seat design using 787 and 777X technologies?

With the Boeing 737 MAX disaster having serious repercussions on delivery and sales, research shows that Boeing might scrap the 797 NMA program to make a new version of the 737 instead, the FSA. With a new CEO has to fix the inherent flaws with the 737 program that actually has a large customer base, as opposed to a new aircraft such as the 797 NMA which may have a limited market.

The 737 family, which includes the 737 Classic, 737 Next Generation (NG) and 737 MAX variants, has been in service since 1968 and has competed with the Airbus A320 family for decades. The 737 MAX, the latest and most advanced version of the 737, was introduced in 2017 but was grounded worldwide in 2019 after two fatal crashes. The 737 MAX has since been recertified by several regulators and resumed operations with some airlines, but it still faces public skepticism and legal issues.

The Future Small Airplane (FSA) 737 replacement investment would enable Boeing to compete effectively against the Airbus A320 series and the new Comac C919 rival from China, and upstage them both. As of August 2020, the A320neo family aircraft backlog stood at 5,591 planes, with 7,468 orders and 1,877 deliveries as of July 2021. Meanwhile, Boeing 737 MAX orders stood at 4,364 and backlog at 3,929 aircraft. Clearly the A320 is the preferred jet of the global carriers.

Boeing had previously sketched out a design for a new narrowbody aircraft to replace the 737 product line, as part of its Yellowstone Project , a long-term plan to develop new aircraft with advanced technologies. The new aircraft, known as Boeing Y1 , was expected to cover the 100- to 250-passenger market and feature an elliptical composite fuselage, new engines and improved aerodynamics. Boeing had initially targeted a launch date of 2020 for the Y1, but later shelved the project in favor of developing the 737 MAX.

However, after the 737 MAX crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Boeing may have to reconsider its strategy and accelerate its plans for a 737 replacement. According to some reports, the first Biden budget , which will be unveiled on May 28, 2021, includes a significant increase in funding for NASA’s aeronautics research, with a focus on developing a new single-aisle aircraft design to replace the 737. NASA is reportedly working on validating Boeing’s transonic truss-braced wing (TTBW) design , which could offer higher efficiency and lower emissions than conventional wings.

Boeing has not yet announced any official decision or timeline for its 737 replacement, but it is likely that it will face pressure from both the government and the market to do so in the coming years. Airbus, its main rival, is already ahead of Boeing in the narrowbody segment with its A320neo family , which offers more range and flexibility than the 737 MAX. Airbus is also working on developing new technologies for its future A320 successor , such as hydrogen propulsion and wing technology.

Therefore, Boeing may have to launch a new narrowbody aircraft by the early 2030s at the latest, if not sooner, to remain competitive and relevant in the industry. However, this will require significant investment and innovation from Boeing, as well as overcoming regulatory hurdles and customer expectations. The 737 replacement will be a critical project for Boeing’s future success and reputation.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, theaircurrent.com, boeing.com