Boeing CEO Predicts 737 MAX Replacement Before 2030, Sees Return Of Supersonic

Boeing Company CEO Jim McNerney today revealed his predictions for the future replacement of the recently launched narrow body 737 MAX aircraft.

The replacement would take to the skies before 2030, the CEO predicted, and use similar composite technology to that in the 787 and the 777X, with engines consisting of more ceramic components.

“There is a great chance it will be a composite aeroplane, it’s a good chance it will be slightly bigger,” he said on stage at an event in Abu Dhabi.

He described the seats as being “like a video arcade” due to the connectivity and bandwidth that will be available, while the aircraft’s shape is expected to remain largely the same, with potentially more interior space.

The CEO’s predictions for the future also included newer and lighter materials used in aeroplane manufacturing over the next 30 years, with supersonic aircraft, like the retired Concorde, making a return.

“Supersonic, in the next couple of decades I think will come back,” he said. “Last time the Concorde just cost too much for the ticket, to pay for the cost of the aeroplane. I think technology advancement will allow that capability to be offered much more cheaply,” he said.