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Wired Takes Viewers Inside the 737 MAX Test Plane

Oct. 11, 2016
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2 min read
Boeing 737 MAX featured
Wired Takes Viewers Inside the 737 MAX Test Plane
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While it's not the sexiest plane out there, the Boeing 737 is the world's most sold — with more than 9,200 Boeing 737s delivered — and flown aircraft. Its versatility allows carriers like RyanAir to pack 189 passengers for short hops in Europe or airlines like SAS to offer an all-business transatlantic flight with 44 seats from Texas to Norway.

Still, Boeing isn't resting on its past success. The company's consistently working on the newest redesign of the popular 737 base model to come up with the newest, most competitive model. The latest of these redesigns is the new 737 MAX, which is designed to be up to 40% more quiet and 14% more fuel efficient than Boeing's most recent 737 Next-Generation model.

While the plane might look strikingly similar on the outside, Boeing must re-certify each redesign as if it's launching a brand-new aircraft. This might seem unnecessary at first blush, but even a seemingly minor tweak might cause unforeseen instability for the aircraft. For this reason, the FAA requires each new model to go through a series of extreme tests to demonstrate its safety.

Just the first 15 of Boeing's 737 MAX customers. Image courtesy of Boeing.

And Boeing needs to get this one right; it's already sold 3,331 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to 69 different buyers. That's almost 25% of all 737 aircraft orders in the plane's nearly 50-year history — before the first MAX has been officially delivered! Only the 737-800 model has sold more (5,015). In just a matter of years, millions of passengers will be relying on this new aircraft to safely deliver them to their destination.

Just a week after Wired brought us an awesome inside look on how Boeing builds a 737 in just nine days, the publication is offering a look inside the 737 MAX test plane. Check out the video below for the fascinating explanation of the types of tests that the new aircraft is put through. #AvGeeks: Prepare to control your squealing.

As you can see, the inside of this 737 MAX looks quite different than the one we toured at Farnborough, which was mostly mocked up with the interior of 737 MAX launch customer Southwest.

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Are you looking forward to flying on the new 737 MAX?

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Pros

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.