Originally Posted by
Heathrow Harry
the 737 was selling well.. it would have been a brave man to turn off that cash flow by announcing a new design.....
The other issue was the Boeing was caught a bit off-guard by the A320 NEO. Boeing really wanted to launch a brand new 737 replacement (I knew people who were working on it) - but when Airbus launched the NEO it was selling like hotcakes, totally outclassed the existing 737-7/8/900 and being little more than a re-engine it would come to market years before an all new replacement aircraft. Worse, it would take years more to bring the new aircraft production up to the ~50-60/month rate that was possible with the A320/737. That would have meant basically conceding a several thousand aircraft market to Airbus until Boeing could bring their new aircraft to market - something that was simply unthinkable.
What going to be really interesting to watch is what happens with the Boeing NMA - rumor mill says it'll be launched by the end of the year. IF it's a really good aircraft it could take over the upper end from the A320 series, while perhaps providing a baseline for an eventual 737 replacement.