Boeing Business Jets Celebrates Flyaway of First BBJ MAX Airplane

Milestone paves the way for delivery of the newest version of the best-selling business jetliner

SEATTLE, April 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today celebrated the fly away of the first BBJ MAX airplane, which extends the range, performance and cabin comforts of the world's most popular business jetliner.




"We are excited to see the first BBJ MAX come to life and fly through the development milestones. In the past few weeks, the airplane has achieved factory rollout, first flight, multiple certifications, and now flyway," said Greg Laxton, Head of Boeing Business Jets.

The first airplane, a BBJ MAX 8, will now be outfitted with an auxiliary fuel tank, which will enable the new owner to fly up to 6,640 nautical miles (12,297 km) in a standard configuration.

"The BBJ MAX will be able to connect distant cities like a widebody commercial jet. It's one of the reasons why this game-changing airplane outsold the competition four to one last year," said Laxton.

Customers from around the world have placed orders for nearly 20 BBJ MAX airplanes, including all three models: the BBJ MAX 7, BBJ MAX 8, and BBJ MAX 9. The first delivery is set for later this year.

Aside from its market-leading range and interior space, the BBJ MAX also features a system that provides a lower cabin altitude, integrated airstairs, and other modern amenities.

The Boeing Business Jet MAX - based on the new 737 MAX airplane family – is designed with more fuel efficient engines, improved aerodynamics, and advanced systems. The new technology allows all three models of the family to fly farther and have lower operating costs than its predecessors.

Boeing Launches BBJ MAX Family with First Order

Existing BBJ customer first to select BBJ MAX 8

BBJ MAX based on new, fuel-efficient 737 MAX
SEATTLE - PRNewswire/ -Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced the launch of the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) MAX family of airplanes after receiving the first order from an undisclosed customer. The order is for a BBJ MAX 8, which is based on the 737 MAX 8 and the newest business jet to join the BBJ family.

"We are honored that an existing BBJ customer has become the first to select the BBJ MAX," said Capt. Steve Taylor, president, Boeing Business Jets. "The BBJ MAX provides more room, longer range and emits fewer emissions than its nearest competition, making it an ideal choice for today's BBJ customers."
BBJ is the market leader in the large cabin, ultra-long-range business jet market and the new BBJ MAX will extend that advantage.

With new CFM International LEAP-1B engines and other aerodynamic improvements including Advanced Technology winglets, the 737 MAX will provide a 14 percent fuel-use improvement compared to today's most efficient single-aisle airplanes. The fuel-use improvement is even greater at longer ranges typically flown by BBJ customers.

The BBJ MAX 8 will have a range of 6,325 nautical miles (11,713 km), an increase of more than 800 nautical miles (1,482 km) over the BBJ2. It will share the same cabin size with today's BBJ2, offering customers a 19-foot (5.8 meter) longer cabin and three times the cargo space of today's BBJ, while improving on its market-leading range capability and maintaining the BBJ advantages of lower cabin altitude, unmatched reliability and outstanding product support around the globe. The BBJ continues to be the leading choice for businesses, corporations and private owners.    

The new BBJ family also will include the BBJ MAX 9, based on the 737 MAX 9, and is expected to offer a 6,255 nautical mile (11,584 km) range with an even larger cabin than the BBJ MAX 8. Plans for a BBJ MAX 7 are still being studied.

"We expect a large demand for the BBJ MAX, particularly for those BBJ owners who want to fly farther and more efficiently and still maintain the exceptional comfort of a BBJ," Taylor said.

 Development of the 737 MAX is on schedule with firm configuration of the airplane achieved in July 2013. First flight is scheduled in 2016 with deliveries to commercial airline customers beginning in 2017. The 737 MAX has accumulated more than 1,900 orders to date from 37 customers worldwide
The first BBJ MAX will be delivered in 2018 without an interior, and a completion center of the customer's choosing will install the jet's VIP interior.