UPDATE — 10:07 a.m.
The first 737-8, the Spirit of Renton, accelerated down the rain-slicked runway and lifted off on its first flight about 13 minutes ahead of schedule Friday morning.
The single-aisle airplane is carrying much of the company’s future on its wings. The 737 MAX series will fiercely compete with Airbus’ A320neo for sales in the huge narrow-body airplane market.
Boeing already has 3,072 orders for 737 MAX, making it the company’s all-time best seller.
UPDATE — 9:47 a.m.
Boeing’s 737 MAX just took off a few minutes early from Renton for its first flight.
UPDATE — 9:35 a.m.
Boeing’s newest airplane, the 737 MAX, was born in the Pacific Northwest. So, it is only fitting that it has a rainy first flight, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. PST.
The first 737-8 MAX is waiting at Renton Municipal Airport to take off.
KIRO is streaming live video, and Boeing has a webcast up as well.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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