Boeing (BA) will open a fourth 737 MAX production line at its Everett facility (PAE) in mid-2026, marking the first time the aircraft will be assembled outside its long-standing Renton site. The move reflects a strategic shift as the company works to stabilize production and meet sustained global demand for single-aisle aircraft.
The expansion also signals a new phase for Everett, widely known as the world’s largest building by volume, which is now being repurposed following the end of the 747 program. Boeing is leveraging the facility’s scale to support higher output targets for its most commercially critical aircraft.
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Boeing is Expanding its Production
Boeing’s new “North Line” will increase 737 MAX production capacity and support long-term output goals. The company plans to gradually raise production from around 38–42 aircraft per month toward 47, and eventually 63 per month over several years
The Everett line will complement three existing lines at Renton, which has historically been the sole site for 737 production. This diversification is designed to improve manufacturing resilience after years of supply chain disruptions and regulatory constraints
The 737 MAX remains Boeing’s best-selling aircraft and a critical revenue driver, competing directly with Airbus’s A320neo family in the narrowbody market.
Boeing’s Everett Transformation
The Everett facility is undergoing a major transition as Boeing reallocates space once used for legacy widebody programs. The new 737 line replaces capacity freed after production changes, including the end of the 747 and relocation of 787 assembly
According to Boeing’s official update, the North Line will be capable of building all MAX variants, including the 737-8, 737-9, and 737-10
The company will replicate Renton’s production system in Everett, with the addition of specialized logistics tools such as wing transport systems to support final assembly. This ensures consistency in quality while expanding geographic production capacity.
Jennifer Boland-Masterson, Boeing’s production leader for the Everett line, said that getting the new facility up and running will first require using baby steps.
“It’s like running,” said “We know how to do it, and we’ve done it before, but we need to warm up our muscles. You don’t start with a marathon. You start with shorter distances and build up from there.”
Boeing’s Workforce and Readiness
Boeing has begun training a mixed workforce of experienced employees and new hires to operate the Everett line. Workers are undergoing structured training at Renton before transitioning to the new facility
This approach aims to maintain consistent safety and quality standards across all production lines. The company is emphasizing knowledge transfer from veteran mechanics to new employees to reduce operational risks during the ramp-up phase.
Reuters also reports that Boeing has already started preparing staff for the line, even as it adopts a cautious production increase strategy.
Boeing quoted the world of John V., a mechanic with nearly four decades of experience at Boeing, and someone transitioning into the role of FAA and customer coordinator for the North Line, bringing with him extensive expertise from the 747, 767, and 777 programs:
“This will be my first time working on the 737 program..But we are doing the training right. Even folks like me who have been around for a long time are in Renton now getting familiar with the program and the product before the North Line starts.”
Here are the details of two other employees:
| Attribute | Jaden M. | Alondra P. |
|---|---|---|
| Hire Date | Late 2025 | Late 2025 |
| Role / Line | 737 North Line, Flow Day 1 | 737 North Line |
| Training Completed | Foundational Training + SOJT | Foundational Training + SOJT |
| Training Details | Installs dorsal fin; trained with experienced teammates; emphasized proper procedures | Paired with experienced teammates to reinforce skills and understand job roles |
| Location of SOJT | Renton, WA | Renton, WA |
Boeing’s Production Recovery
The Everett expansion comes amid Boeing’s broader recovery effort following years of setbacks. The 737 MAX program faced a global grounding after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 people and triggered major regulatory reforms.
More recently, production has been constrained by quality issues and regulatory oversight, including a 2024 fuselage incident that led to stricter FAA controls on output
Boeing is now taking a gradual approach to scaling production, increasing output in controlled steps to avoid repeating past mistakes. The Everett line is central to this strategy, enabling capacity growth without overloading existing facilities.
One of the steps taken by Boeing to better its security is LRIP, whose essence can be distilled in the following table:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Stage | Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) |
| Purpose of LRIP | Build process intentionally slowed to allow additional checks and adjustments for future standard flow times |
| FAA Conformity | First set of LRIP airplanes used to demonstrate compliance with U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
After finishing LRIP and the FAA conformity airplanes, the North Line will join the overall 737 MAX production process, increasing capacity to support output above 47 aircraft per month.