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American Airlines' First Boeing 737 MAX Rolls Off the Assembly Line

July 31, 2017
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2 min read
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American Airlines' First Boeing 737 MAX Rolls Off the Assembly Line
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The first Boeing 737 took to the skies in April 9, 1967, and since then, it's been redesigned and relaunched quite a few times. The latest iterations are the long-range and fuel efficient 737 MAX aircraft models — which have racked up a combined 3,803 orders per Boeing's latest report. The first 737 MAX delivery was just a couple of months ago in mid-May to Asian low-cost carrier Malindo Air.

American Airlines accounts for exactly 100 of these new aircraft — with an option for 40 more — from an order placed way back in February 2013. And it looks like the first of these is nearing delivery. Yesterday, #AvGeek photographer Chris Edwards shared photos of American Airlines first 737 MAX just after it rolled off the assembly line:

This is an aircraft that has received more media attention than AA may have wanted. First, in January, the airline revealed that it wasn't going to install in-flight entertainment screens on these aircraft, which is especially peculiar as these are designed for longer flights — Norwegian is using its 737 MAX to fly across the Atlantic. Instead, AA is relying on streaming entertainment options to passengers' personal devices via Wi-Fi.

Then, back in early May, it was reported that its 737 MAXs would have as little as 29 inches of pitch in some rows of economy, prompting a backlash in the press and social media that led to the airline reversing this decision. Still, standard economy seats will have just 30 inches of pitch — down from the 31-inch pitch found on most of AA's aircraft. However, the airline thankfully chose to install ViaSat Wi-Fi rather than the standard (and sometimes miserably slow) Gogo Wi-Fi that's found on the carrier's other 737s.

We asked AA when it expects to take delivery of this aircraft and on which routes it may operate on. While there are no firm dates yet, an airline spokesperson confirmed that this is the airline's first of four 737 MAXs expected this year and that AA "will begin service on the MAX towards the end of the year."

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • 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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  • $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.
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