Boeing Test Flies New 737 Max Aircraft

By Jon Ostrower 

Boeing Co. on Friday held the first test flight of an updated version of its single-aisle 737 jetliner that it hopes will woo cost-conscious airlines.

The 737 Max aircraft, carrying two test pilots aloft, began its maiden sortie from Boeing's 737 production facility in Renton, Wash. under overcast and rainy skies at just around 9:45 a.m. local time.

The 737 Max is Boeing's latest iteration of its best-selling single-aisle jet, which has been in continuous production for nearly a half century. The model features aerodynamic updates and two new CFM International Leap engines, part of the plane maker's offer to airlines of 14% better fuel efficiency.

Boeing holds orders for 3,072 of the 737 Max aircraft, the first of which is scheduled to be delivered to Southwest Airlines Co. in the third quarter of 2017.

Rival Airbus Group SE's A320neo--or new engine option--entered passenger service for the first time on Monday with Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 29, 2016 14:24 ET (19:24 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.