Boeing debuts first 737 MAX 8

Boeing celebrated the completion of final assembly of the first 737 MAX 8. The production-complete airplane rolled out of the Renton factory and into the paint hangar on Nov. 30th, the precise date determined when the MAX development schedule was defined more than four years ago. On Dec. 8th the freshly painted 737 MAX 8, named the Spirit of Renton, was revealed to employees in a special teal version of the Boeing livery. After celebrations are complete, the airplane will undergo pre-flight preparation in the factory before departing for Renton Field to continue flight test readiness. The airplane is on track for first flight in early 2016. With the second and third 737 MAX 8 flight test airplanes currently in final assembly and the fourth (and final) in sub-assembly, the 737 MAX remains on track for first delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines in the third quarter of 2017.