Boeing will begin full aircraft production of the 737 MAX on July 6 at a newly constructed final assembly line north of Seattle.
The new 737 MAX assembly line in Everett, Washington, is a key component in the company's plan to increase its monthly production rate to 52 aircraft, a target set for next year.
Boeing Chief Executive Kelly O'Berg disclosed this information during a Friday interview with CNBC.
O'Berg stated, "Our new production line is identical in setup to the existing line at our Renton facility. The first aircraft will begin assembly on July 6, and approximately one month later, this fourth final assembly line will be fully operational."
This new assembly line in Everett, Washington, is central to Boeing's strategy to achieve a monthly production target of 52 aircraft, a goal planned for the coming year. The company has already increased the 737 MAX monthly output from 42 to 47 planes this year and is currently maintaining that rate.
Despite Boeing's intentions to accelerate production and boost deliveries, its capacity expansion is constrained by regulatory oversight from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Following a mid-air door plug blowout incident on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX in January 2024, the FAA implemented controls that limit Boeing's ability to ramp up production.
This safety incident triggered an extended regulatory review of quality and safety concerns within Boeing's manufacturing processes.
O'Berg commented, "We are focused on rebuilding our production quality control system. Over the past 18 months, we have steadily increased our rate while fundamentally transforming our production model. It is crucial now to ensure the entire production system is stable before pushing for further increases, moving away from the previous approach of rushing schedules and overloading work-in-progress. This gives us confidence for the path forward."
O'Berg and Boeing's management have set a long-term production target: with adequate support from the supply chain, the ultimate goal for 737 MAX monthly production is 63 aircraft.
Initially, the new production line will prioritize building the 737 MAX 10 model. This extended-range, single-aisle aircraft is expected to receive FAA certification within the year, enabling the start of initial deliveries once certified.