Boeing is preparing to begin 737 MAX production at its Everett, Washington, site, marking the first time the narrowbody aircraft will be assembled at a factory traditionally dedicated to widebody programs.
The new assembly line, known as the North Line, is scheduled to start operations this summer and is intended to expand overall 737 production capacity as demand for single-aisle aircraft remains strong.
The line will be capable of producing all 737 MAX variants, with initial output expected to include the 737-8, 737-9 and 737-10. The latter, the largest version of the family, remains in the certification process.
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Boeing said early production will follow a low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase, during which assembly will proceed at a reduced pace to allow additional inspections and adjustments to the manufacturing system. Aircraft built during this stage will also be used to demonstrate compliance with U.S. Federal Aviation Administration requirements, enabling the line to operate under Boeing’s production certificate.
The Everett line will replicate the manufacturing process used at Boeing’s Renton facility, where all 737 aircraft are currently assembled. One difference is the introduction of a wing transport system designed to move partially assembled wings to Everett for final integration.
Boeing 737 MAX 10 (Steve Knight/CC) 
The Everett plant and the location that is expected to receive the 737 MAX 10 assembly line (GE) 
Boeing 737 MAX 10 in Farnborough 22 (Ricardo Meier)
The company is hiring and training hundreds of workers for the new line, combining newly recruited employees with experienced staff from existing Boeing sites, including Renton, Everett and Moses Lake. Training includes classroom instruction followed by on-the-job work at the Renton plant.
Once the validation phase is completed, the Everett line is expected to be integrated into Boeing’s broader 737 production system, supporting plans to increase output beyond 47 aircraft per month.
