In a development that could reshape the future of single-aisle aviation, Boeing has issued a formal Request for Information (RFI) to major engine manufacturers, marking the strongest signal yet that the iconic 737 family may be nearing the end of its evolutionary runway.
The RFI, sent out on June 13, calls for proposals for a 30,000-pound-thrust engine, targeting a next-generation single-aisle aircraft that will ultimately succeed the 737 MAX series. While Boeing has not released a prototype or flashy branding around the program, insiders say the move sets the stage for what could be the most consequential commercial aircraft launch of the next two decades.
According to industry analysts and reports by Aviation Week, leading engine makers Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and CFM International (a GE/Safran joint venture) are expected to respond with concepts powered by the latest in fuel-efficiency and sustainable propulsion. CFM’s RISE open-fan concept and Pratt’s GTF Advantage are likely contenders.
While the RFI reportedly leaves room for unconventional designs, Boeing is said to favor ducted fan engines over the more radical open-fan or hybrid-electric proposals for now. “The risk tolerance within Boeing has shifted toward proven configurations,” one industry consultant noted, citing recent certification challenges and regulatory pressures following the MAX crisis.
The LinkedIn post from Dragon Aviation Company (Singapore), an aviation advisory firm, summed up the sentiment:
“It hasn’t been announced with a flashy name or prototype. But Boeing just took the first real step toward replacing the 737.”
The post also referred to a quote from a former industry executive, stating,
“We’re not ready… but we need to be when the market is,”
referencing the timing pressure Boeing faces to match or leapfrog Airbus’s A321XLR lead.
A Quiet but Strategic Pivot
Boeing’s current single-aisle lineup, led by the 737 MAX, has been under intense scrutiny since the dual crashes and grounding of the type between 2019-2020. While the aircraft has returned to global service and is a core product in Boeing’s commercial portfolio, customer trust and regulatory hurdles remain ongoing challenges.
The new RFI suggests Boeing is preparing for a clean-sheet aircraft, an approach many believe is the only viable path to compete with Airbus’s increasingly dominant A320neo family.
“The next big move in narrowbodies will define the industry’s environmental and economic future,” says aviation economist Dr. Jenna Holmstrom. “This isn’t just about selling jets, it’s about what kind of propulsion we’ll be flying for the next 40 years.”
Engine Makers Prepare for Battle
The contract to power Boeing’s next narrowbody could be the most lucrative engine deal in two decades, given the volume of expected orders and the longevity of such platforms. CFM, which currently powers the majority of 737 MAX aircraft with its LEAP-1B engines, is seen as a frontrunner, but Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney are both aggressively pushing newer, more sustainable technologies.
Rolls-Royce, for example, is investing heavily in UltraFan and hydrogen-combustion research, while Pratt & Whitney continues to refine its geared turbofan (GTF) series for better emissions and noise performance.
Whether Boeing opts for evolutionary or revolutionary propulsion will depend on multiple variables: certification risk, production timelines, fuel economy, and compatibility with Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).
What’s Next?
Boeing has not officially committed to a launch date or even a project name. However, insiders speculate that a program announcement could come by 2026, with entry into service by the early 2030s.
As for the 737 MAX, it remains a vital workhorse, but its long-term future is now in question. With rising airline interest in longer-range, higher-efficiency narrowbodies, Boeing’s clean-sheet aircraft may need to leap far beyond incremental gains.
“The pressure is mounting,” said a leasing executive based in Dubai. “If Boeing doesn’t move soon, it risks falling permanently behind Airbus.”
The coming months will reveal how far Boeing is willing to go, and how fast engine makers can catch up.
