The 737 MAX 8 is a twin-engine, narrow-body, long-range jet airliner developed and manufactured by American aviation company Boeing. It is a member of the 737 MAX line, an advanced evolutionary development of the 737 family. The 737 MAX 8 took its maiden flight on January 29, 2016, and it embarked on its first commercial flight on May 22, 2017.

The 737 MAX line is the fourth generational iteration of the 737 family of aircraft. Boeing developed the original 737 in the mid-1960s to provide an economical jetliner for short-haul routes. The first of this initial series of the 737, the 737-100, took its maiden flight on April 9, 1967. The 737 proved a resounding success.

The next line of the 737, the 737 Classic, entered service in November of 1984. This was followed by the 737 NG (“Next Generation”), which Boeing introduced in December of 1997. Each successive generation brought greater range, improved avionics and flight controls, improved safety, and greater efficiency.

Boeing announced the MAX series in August of 2011. Improvements over the 737 NG series include aerodynamic changes, airframe modifications for extended lifespan, and higher efficiency engines. The first of the 737 MAX lineage, the MAX 8, replaced the 737-800. Boeing introduced the first MAX 8, named the “Spirit of Renton,” on December 8, 2015. The aircraft took its maiden flight on January 29, 2016, lifting off from Renton Municipal Airport in the Seattle, Washington area.

The MAX 8 features an aerodynamically optimized main wing with split-tip winglets to mitigate drag-inducing vortex formation. It is powered by two CFM International LEAP-1B high-bypass turbofan engines that are 14% more efficient than the engines used on the 737 NG series. The engines are housed in nacelles that incorporate chevrons for noise reduction. The aerodynamic and engine improvements make the MAX 8 capable of long-range, intercontinental flight.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is piloted by two and can accommodate up to 189 passengers, although it typically carries up to 178. The aircraft measures 129 feet, 6 inches in length, stands 40 feet, 4 inches tall, and has a wingspan of 117 feet, 10 inches. Each of its two LEAP 1-B engines generates up to 29,000 pounds of thrust. The 737 MAX 8 has a range of 4,028 miles, a service ceiling of 41,000 feet above sea level, and a cruising speed of 521 miles per hour.