Where Is Boeing’s Next New Airplane?

Understanding what is next for major aircraft manufacturers like Boeing is one of the industry’s many challenges.

Boeing’s next new airplane has drawn much attention in recent years but, ultimately, has yet to be released.

So the question remains: where is Boeing’s next airplane, what will it be, and why haven’t we seen it yet?

An Optimal Time For Launch At Boeing Goes Begging

In the late 2010s, there was much discussion over the optimal time to launch Boeing’s next new airplane. By then, the company had launched its 737 MAX and 787 and had already ended production of the popular 757 and 767 passenger units.

As Airbus advanced its A321neo series, including the 2019 launch of the highly advanced A321XLR, analysts turned to Boeing to see how it would respond, assuming it had something in the works to compete.

Unfortunately, the 737 MAX crisis and 787 quality assurance problems emerged, delaying the 777X certification program. The focus at the plane maker shifted dramatically. While seen as an optimal time for a new plane launch, several other vital areas of the business needed addressing first, with these all being

Additionally, the certification of the remaining 737 MAX variants was a pressing concern, and it had also been set aside by 2019 in favour of the family’s general re-approval.

That said, it doesn’t mean there haven’t been question marks over where Boeing’s next plane lies and how what many thought was an optimal time to launch a competitor to Airbus went begging.

A Final Nail In The Coffin For Boeing’s New Plane

During one of Boeing’s investor days in early November 2022, the final nail in the coffin for an upcoming new middle-market airliner, often described as Boeing’s next airplane, arrived.

Boeing’s new chief executive put out the flames that may have been there for the type, firmly announcing that we can rule out any development on the plane until after 2030. This leaves a critical market where Boeing will be absent, primarily to Airbus, until well into the next decade.

It was also essential to understand that the company would look toward the 2030s before heading back to the drawing board, rather than an actual release. Thus, per comments from their chief, a new plane could arrive in the mid-2030s.

Why Wait Until the 2030s for a New Plane?

Why is this exactly? Boeing wants to ensure it can provide adequate resources for a new aircraft or its next new airplane. The plane maker will look towards utilising the next generation of unproven technology.

Boeing believes releasing an aircraft now would not only rush the project but also may not offer enough significant improvements to justify the price tag or the longevity in the industry. This comes as airlines approach or conclude a review of their current and next-generation fleets to meet efficiency goals.

Conflicting Stance On Boeing’s Opinions

Boeing’s stance has long drawn mixed reactions from analysts, enthusiasts, and the general public.

Some believe that not releasing a plane now would harm the American manufacturer’s long-term success in the sector, as Airbus would have an unrivalled shot at gaining market share.

This is especially evident when airlines and leasing companies express their desire for such a plane, but that desire remains unmet.

Others believe Boeing’s lack of a subsequent new airplane is no fault of its own and isn’t directly related to awaiting new technology; instead, it is missing the boat.

If Boeing proceeded with a plane now, it wouldn’t enter service likely until the late 2020s or even early 2030s. Airbus’ options are either already certified or months away. Boeing, therefore, wouldn’t have a product ready and, with today’s technology, wouldn’t have a next-generation plane available to customers.

Others applaud Boeing’s wait and believe the time and resources allocated mean its next market entry will return to its previous nature of offering revolutionary aircraft to customers.

Understanding The Problems With Waiting

A consensus, though, is that waiting makes the most sense at this point in the industry, but not moving forward with an NMA has also been detrimental to their performance in the sector. Additionally, allowing their competitor Airbus to gain a monumental, uncontested upper hand cannot be ignored.

This upper hand, now set to be obtained by the European plane maker, could attract existing loyal Boeing customers and potentially swing future orders their way. It could especially hurt customers hoping for a new Boeing plane but now facing the reality that it won’t arrive when they need it.

If a customer placed an Airbus order, the customer and the plane maker would have nearly a decade of relationship-building before Boeing entered with its next aircraft. As a result, that leaves ample time to build a solid relationship and push Boeing to the side.

While this isn’t a defining reason, in the 2030s, Airbus may have gained the upper hand in the relationship side of things, offering what they need under a more suitable deal when the time comes.

The Dated Boeing 737

Looking ahead, though, addressing the dated 737 design is another critical talking point for the American plane maker. Some analysts believe Boeing pushed too far with the MAX to compete with Airbus, and the consensus is that its next plane needs to move beyond the 737.

Boeing is already studying key designs and revolutionary technology that, if successful, could make its way into the next commercial airplane by the end of this decade. However, questions remain about whether a 737 replacement would also cover the A321XLR, 757, and 767 markets.

Positives From Waiting To Launch A New Plane

While disappointing, the wait for Boeing’s next new airplane will be longer than initially anticipated. Still, it can also harbour several significant positives for a company that’s had it rough recently.

This includes enhanced technology that could help Boeing make leaps and strides over its previous aircraft. Therefore, the plane would be a worthy upgrade for customers seeking a new aircraft.

Additionally, studying next-generation technologies should allow Boeing to unveil an aircraft similar to planes from the late 1990s, which are viewed as significant, revolutionary upgrades.

Many would argue that Boeing has been missing this for some time, as the plane maker, alongside Airbus, has tried to capture market share and fend each other off rather than take the time to study the next generation.

Ultimately, Boeing’s future remains to be seen, but its next new airplane will likely be some time away.