The Boeing Company and Southwest Airlines Co. announced the launch of the 737 MAX 7, the third member of the 737 MAX family. The carrier and launch customer for the 737 MAX program became the first airline to order the 737 MAX 7, when it converted 30 existing orders for Next-Generation 737s into orders for the 737 MAX 7. Southwest also exercised options to add five more Next-Generation 737-800s to its fleet. These airplanes, along with the 737 MAX 7s, are part of Southwest's ongoing effort to improve fuel efficiency and profitability. The 737 MAX 7 supports Southwest's expanding fleet modernization effort. Southwest is expected to take its first 737 MAX 7 delivery in 2019. The 737 MAX 7 brings the most advanced engine technologies to the next-generation 737-700. The 110-ft long airplane incorporates the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver improved efficiency with the most reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX 7 also will extend the range over 737-700 by approximately 400 nautical miles (741 km).

The Boeing Company and Turkish Airlines finalized a firm order for 40 737 MAX 8s, 10 737 MAX 9s and 20 Next-Generation 737-800 jets, valued at $6.9 billion at list prices. The order, originally announced as a commitment last month, also includes options for an additional 25 737 MAX 8s.

The Boeing Company will shed 1,500 information-technology positions in the Puget Sound region over the next three years. The cuts will affect almost a third of the total 4,700 Boeing IT positions here, and continue a wave of job reductions that has hit several corners of the company since March 2013. The cuts will come through a combination of layoffs, attrition from retirements, and relocation of some jobs to two new IT centers Boeing is establishing in St. Louis, Mo., and North Charleston, S.C. The company will offer severance packages to some employees who volunteer for layoff. The first layoff notices under the plan went out in March 2013 to about 150 local employees, with those layoffs due this month. Another round of layoffs is set for September 2013. The cuts will come through attrition and as many as 700 layoffs.