FAA Greenlights Boeing's New Fuel-Efficient 737-7 Plane

Boeing's new 737-7 airplane has received certification from the FAA for commercial use. The smallest in the MAX lineup, the plane can carry between 135 to 160 passengers. According to Boeing, it was designed to travel long distances and can fly up to 3,800 nautical miles, which is 700 more than its predecessor.

The company notes that the 737-7 cuts fuel use and CO2 emissions by 20% compared to planes it will eventually replace. The plane underwent extensive testing over eight years, with over 1,000 hours of flight time, system safety analysis, and human factors reviews contributing to the FAA's certification.

Southwest Airlines is set to be the first airline to operate the 737-7, pending delivery from Boeing. In a statement, Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplane, said that the team 'stayed focused on completing all requirements and delivering a safe and more capable airplane to our customers'.