Boeing has pushed back on a Wall Street Journal report that it has shifted focus toward developing a replacement for the 737, calling the coverage “misleading,” FlightGlobal reported on 2 October 2025. The Journal said Boeing had begun early work on a new single-aisle jet and that CEO Kelly Ortberg met Rolls-Royce executives to discuss potential engines; Boeing’s internal memo and subsequent analyst notes emphasize that such technical studies are routine and do not indicate an imminent program launch.
FlightGlobal’s reporting quotes Boeing’s internal communication to staff, which reiterated the company’s priority on recovery, delivering backlog, resolving quality issues, and certifying the 737-7/10 and 777-9, while noting Boeing “continually conducts configuration studies” as part of normal product planning. Analysts at Bernstein and JP Morgan told investors they saw no evidence Boeing intended to accelerate a new-jet launch now.
What FlightGlobal and other outlets actually confirm
- WSJ scoop: Reported that Boeing is conducting early-stage work on a 737 successor and that Ortberg met Rolls-Royce. That story prompted the broader media wave.
- Boeing rebuttal: Boeing’s internal memo, circulated 30 Sept, called the reporting misleading and stressed no change in strategic priorities beyond routine studies. FlightGlobal reproduces and summarizes that memo.
- Analyst view: Bernstein called the Journal’s coverage “misleading”; JP Morgan and other sell-side analysts said early studies do not mean an imminent launch. Reuters reiterates that Boeing remains focused on backlog and certification.
Why this matters
- Product launches reshape OEM pipelines, supplier strategies, and airline fleet planning; a clean-sheet narrowbody could take a decade or longer from launch to entry into service.
- Market signal vs. reality: public reporting of early studies can move investor expectations even if no decision to launch exists. Analysts caution against treating component trials or executive meetings as program commitments.
Context & technical background
- Boeing has for years maintained “product baseline” activities, market studies, engine reviews, and concept testing, even when not ready to launch a program. Past examples include the shelved NMA effort and ongoing work with NASA on advanced wing concepts. FlightGlobal notes composite component tests and NASA-assisted research (e.g., long, thin wing concepts) are part of that baseline work.
- AirSpace Economy’s previous analysis explored why design work can start years before a launch: risk reduction, supplier engagement, and technology maturation are prerequisites. See “Boeing begins design work on new jet” for a deeper explanation of product development stages and what an OEM must confirm before launching a successor.
What’s next? Industry outlook
- Watch for official announcements: A confirmed product launch would be accompanied by a formal Boeing announcement, launch partner/airline commitments, and detailed supplier planning, none of which had occurred at this writing.
- Regulatory & market timeline: If Boeing decides to launch, expect a multi-year timeline (design, engine selection, supply contracts, regulatory certification) before the aircraft reaches service; industry consensus currently points to a mid-to-late-2030s in-service target for next-gen narrowbodies.
Sources
- FlightGlobal, Jon Hemmerdinger, “Boeing calls ‘misleading’ a report it has shifted more focus to 737 replacement,” 2 Oct 2025.
- The Wall Street Journal, “Boeing Has Started Working on a 737 MAX Replacement,” 29 Sep 2025 (original investigative report).
- Reuters, “Boeing in early stages of developing 737 Max replacement, WSJ reports,” 30 Sep 2025 (corroboration and context).
- Bernstein/analyst notes, cited in FlightGlobal and Leeham commentary, describe the WSJ story as “misleading.”
- Bloomberg/WSJ coverage and follow-ups on OEM product strategy and engine discussions (background context).
