Boeing plans to bring a fourth 737 MAX assembly line online in Everett, Washington, in mid-summer, company officials said at a regional aerospace suppliers' meeting. The new facility will be known as the North Line and is intended to expand the planemaker's 737 MAX output.
The addition comes as Boeing works to lift production on the 737 MAX from 38 jets per month to 42 jets per month. Executives framed the North Line as one element of that broader scaling effort.
At the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Association's Advance 2026 conference, Katie Ringgold, Boeing Vice President and 737 program General Manager, told attendees that suppliers should expect the company to drive another roughly 15% increase in output over the next 18 months. Ringgold linked that guidance to Boeing's subsequent production aim of 47 737s per month.
Company representatives described the timing for the North Line opening as mid-summer. Outside of that timing and the production-rate figures, the remarks did not add further detail on staffing, specific supplier commitments, or capital expenditures for the new line.
Context and implications
- The North Line is explicitly part of Boeing's step-up strategy for the 737 MAX family.
- Boeing communicated the expected 15% further output increase directly to suppliers, signaling that the company expects supply-chain partners to support higher volumes over the coming 18 months.
- The company identified 47 jets per month as its next production target for the 737 aircraft following the intermediate increase to 42 per month.
What was not disclosed
- No specific dates beyond the “mid-summer” timeframe were provided for the North Line opening.
- Details on supplier contracts, hiring plans, or capital investment amounts associated with the new line were not presented in the comments reported at the conference.