Is this the end of the Boeing 737?
The Boeing 737 is one of the most successful and iconic aircraft in aviation history. Since its first flight in 1967, the 737 has been produced in various versions and variants, serving airlines and passengers around the world for over half a century. However, the 737 is also facing some serious challenges in the current market, especially after the grounding and scandals of the 737 MAX, the latest and largest model in the family. In this blog post, we will explore the history and evolution of the 737, and the prospects and possibilities for its future.
The origins of the 737
The 737 was initially a stop-gap solution to compete with the Douglas DC-9, a smaller and simpler twin-engine jet that was gaining popularity in the late 1960s. Boeing wanted to offer a similar product to its customers, but did not have the time or resources to develop a completely new design. Instead, it borrowed the fuselage design from the 727 and the 707, two of its successful jetliners, and moved the engines from the rear to under the wings. The 737 was powered by the Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines, which were smaller and more powerful than the Rolls-Royce engines used by the 727.
The 737 was designed to be a short-haul aircraft, capable of operating from smaller and less developed airports. It had a lower operating cost and a higher reliability than its competitors, making it attractive to airlines. The 737 also had a common type rating with the 727, meaning that pilots could fly both aircraft with minimal additional training. The 737 entered service in 1968, and soon became a best-seller for Boeing, with over 1,000 orders by the end of the decade.
The 7J7 project and the 737 NG
By the 1980s, Boeing wanted to replace the 737 and the 727 with a new design that would incorporate the latest technologies and innovations in the industry. The project was called the 7J7, and it was envisioned to have fly-by-wire, advanced composites, and open fan engines. The open fan engines were a revolutionary concept that promised to reduce fuel consumption and noise by using a large fan at the rear of the engine, similar to a propeller. The 7J7 would have been a game-changer for the market, offering a significant improvement in performance and efficiency over the existing aircraft.
However, the open fan engines proved to be too immature and risky, and Boeing faced difficulties in finding a suitable engine manufacturer and partner. The 7J7 project was eventually shelved, and Boeing instead used some of the technologies and concepts for the 7J7 to develop the 777, a wide-body aircraft that entered service in 1995. The 777 was a huge success for Boeing, and became one of its most popular and profitable products.
Meanwhile, Boeing also decided to update the 737 with new engines, better wings, and avionics, and called it the 737 Next Generation (NG). The new engines were the CFM56, which were quieter and more efficient than the JT8D. The new wings were larger and more aerodynamic, increasing the range and payload of the aircraft. The new avionics were more modern and sophisticated, enhancing the safety and comfort of the flight. The 737 NG entered service in 1997, and was offered in four variants: the -600, the -700, the -800, and the -900. The 737 NG was a huge hit with airlines and passengers, and became the best-selling version of the 737, with over 7,000 orders by 2023.
The 737 MAX and the A320neo
In the 2010s, Boeing faced a new challenge from its rival Airbus, which launched the A320neo family, a re-engined version of its own narrow-body aircraft. The A320neo family had new engines and sharklets, which are wingtip devices that reduce drag and fuel burn. The A320neo family offered a significant improvement in efficiency and performance over the previous generation of aircraft, and quickly gained a large market share and customer base.
Boeing was pushed to develop the 737 MAX, a re-engined version of the 737 NG, to compete with the A320neo family. The 737 MAX had larger engines that required changes to the wing and the landing gear, and a software system called MCAS to compensate for the aerodynamic effects of the larger engines. The 737 MAX was launched in 2011, and entered service in 2017. It was offered in four variants: the -7, the -8, the -9, and the -10. The 737 MAX was initially well-received by airlines and passengers, and had over 5,000 orders by 2019.
However, the 737 MAX also faced several technical and regulatory issues, and was involved in two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, in which 346 people were killed. The entire global fleet of 737 MAX aircraft was grounded after the Ethiopian Airlines crash in 2019, and faced a lengthy and rigorous process of investigation, review, and certification before returning to service. The 737 MAX also suffered a severe blow to its reputation and credibility, and lost many orders and customers to Airbus and other competitors.
The future of the 737
The 737 MAX can keep up with the A320neo family in terms of efficiency, but not with the newer Airbus A220, which is a smaller, lighter, and more efficient aircraft that was originally designed by Bombardier. The A220 is ideal for the regional and low-cost market, and has been gaining popularity and orders from airlines around the world. Airbus could launch a stretched version of the A220 that would compete directly with the 737 MAX-8, the most popular and profitable variant of the 737.
Boeing will need to respond to this threat with a new design, as the 737 has reached the end of its development potential. The 737 is based on a 60-year-old design that has been modified and upgraded several times, but cannot accommodate any more changes or improvements. The 737 is also facing increasing competition from other manufacturers, such as Embraer, Comac, and Irkut, who are offering new and innovative products for the narrow-body market.
Boeing has already sketched out a design for a new narrow-body aircraft to completely replace the 737 product line. The new aircraft would have a more elliptical fuselage, allowing for a twin-aisle configuration and a faster turnaround time. It would also have a composite structure, new engines, and fly-by-wire. The new aircraft is expected to enter service by 2030, if not sooner.
The Boeing 737 has been a remarkable and resilient aircraft that has served the aviation industry for over five decades. However, the 737 is also facing some serious challenges and uncertainties in the current market, especially after the 737 MAX crisis. Boeing will have to make some tough decisions and bold moves to secure the future of its narrow-body product line, and to maintain its competitiveness and leadership in the market. The 737 may not be the end of the line for Boeing, but it may be the end of an era.
