Boeing rolls out its first 737 MAX 8 single-aisle airliner

RENTON, Wash. -- Boeing Co.  on Tuesday rolled out its first 737 MAX 8, named the Spirit of Renton.

The freshly painted 737 MAX 8 will undergo pre-flight preparation in the factory before departing for Renton Field to continue flight test readiness, Boeing said. 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.

"The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Boeing-designed Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market," Boeing said in its news release.

The company said the new single-aisle airplane will deliver 20 percent lower fuel use than the first Next-Generation 737s and the lowest operating costs.

The 737 MAX 8 is the first member in Boeing’s new family of single-aisle airplanes to begin production. The 737 MAX family has nearly 3,000 orders from 60 customers worldwide.