Boeing Has Started Working on a 737 MAX Replacement

• Boeing is developing a new single-aisle aircraft to replace the 737 MAX, aiming to regain market share from Airbus. The program is in an early stage.
• The company has explored a potential engine collaboration with Rolls-Royce and is designing the flight deck for the new model, with CEO Kelly Ortberg meeting Rolls-Royce leadership.
• This marks a strategic shift toward a clean-sheet, next-generation design that could sustain Boeing for decades, while Ortberg remains focused on fixing quality and strengthening the balance sheet.
• A true clean-sheet program could take more than ten years and cost tens of billions; Rolls-Royce tech could offer about a 10% efficiency gain over current A320neo engines, potentially up to 20% with airframe upgrades, with first deliveries potentially around 2035 if a partnership advances.
• Boeing continues to pursue its recovery plan: a backlog of roughly 6,000 commercial airplanes and certification of announced models, while regulators like the FAA gradually loosen oversight amid ongoing challenges with 737 MAX upgrades and the 777X timeline. Airbus remains a major competitive force, and Boeing has also been pursuing related initiatives in avionics and eco-friendly concepts (e.g., X-66 and Wisk Aero).

https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/boeing-has-started-working-on-a-737-max-replacement-40a110df