Boeing announced this week that it's new 737 MAX series, which is still three years from entering service, has surpassed the 2,000 order mark. The company said this week that 39 customers have ordered the planes, with a total of 2,010 orders valued at $290 Billion at list prices.
Rendering of the 737-8MAX [Boeing]
The MAX is the fastest-selling Boeing plane in history, as planes scramble to meet capacity demand in the most fuel efficient way possible. Boeing says the MAX will be 14 percent more fuel efficient that the current 737 Next Generation series, largely driven by its new CFM LEAP-1B engines. Boeing says the plane is on track to begin final assembly in mid-2015, the 737 MAX will fly in 2016 and deliver to launch customer Southwest Airlines in the third quarter of 2017.
Rendering of the A321neo [Airbus]
Boeing's primary competitor, Airbus is currently developing their next A320 series, the A320neo. NEO stands for New Engine Option. Planned for entry into service in 2015, the NEO program began ahead of Boeing's MAX , and has over 2,600 orders from 50 customers.
Bombardier's CS100 [Bombardier]
While the 737 and A320 hold most of the medium range, single-aisle market, other competitors are trying to break into the market as well. China's COMAC 919 is slated to enter service in 2018, though industry insiders are skeptical because the program has already faced several delays. Canada's Bombardier is also putting a jet into the market — the CSeries. Orders have been slow for the first CSeries plane, the CS100, with only 447 orders and plans to enter service in 2015. Republic Airways has ordered forty of them and is concerned about the slow pace of orders. Republic, who owns Chautautqua Airways, Republic Airlines, and Shuttle America says they have no plans to cancel their order.