en.Wedoany.com Reported - Boeing activated a new 737 MAX final assembly line, named the "North Line," at its Everett factory on July 6. This production line will become the second manufacturing base for Boeing's best-selling narrow-body aircraft, supporting the company's long-term plan—once the 737 MAX 10 receives certification (expected by the end of the year), the Everett line will be dedicated to MAX 10 production.

According to Reuters, the North Line will initially handle final assembly of the 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9, before transitioning to exclusive MAX 10 production. This new line supplements the three existing 737 production lines at the Renton plant and marks Boeing's first assembly of 737 aircraft outside Renton. The first 737 MAX was loaded onto the North Line on July 6.

The activation of the new assembly line supports Boeing's recent authorization from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase monthly production to 47 aircraft by 2027, gradually reaching 52 deliveries per month. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated that the new line is designed as a replica of the existing Renton lines and will not immediately boost output, but it will help Boeing achieve its production increase goals in the coming years. Following production restrictions caused by the Alaska Airlines MAX 9 door plug incident, Boeing received regulatory approval to raise its production cap.

The Boeing 737 MAX competes directly with the Airbus A320neo in the narrow-body market. The A320neo leads in total orders and deliveries, but the MAX 8 remains favored by major airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, the world's largest 737 operator, which holds a substantial number of committed orders. Boeing assembles the 737 MAX at its Renton plant in Washington state and the newly activated Everett facility, while Airbus assembles the A320neo in Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; Tianjin, China; and Mobile, Alabama, USA.

Boeing's Everett factory is the world's largest building by volume, historically assembling wide-body aircraft such as the 747, 777, 767, and 787. With most 787 assembly moved to Charleston, South Carolina, Everett has freed up significant capacity, enabling the development of the North Line.

The launch of the North Line marks a key step in Boeing's strategic expansion and model focus, allowing it to leverage capacity left over from wide-body programs, alleviate production constraints, and strengthen the 737 MAX series' competition with the Airbus A320neo. Boeing stated that the MAX aircraft offers seat widths of up to 18 inches (46 cm), larger cabin windows, and the Sky Interior, enhancing the passenger experience.