Boeing remains undecided on proceeding with proposed midsized airplane

Boeing's plans for a new aircraft, the Boeing 797, remain uncertain as of mid-2025. The aircraft, also known as the New Midsized Airplane (NMA), is intended to fill the gap between the Boeing 737 MAX and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Initial reports suggested two variants: a 225-seater with a range of 5,000 nautical miles and a 275-seater with a range of 4,500 nautical miles.

Despite years of consideration, Boeing has not confirmed whether it will proceed with building this new aircraft. A statement made in September 2024 hinted at future development but did not explicitly mention the NMA. This leaves room for speculation about what new airplane Boeing might be planning.

Boeing's focus remains on certifying existing models like the Boeing 737 MAX variants and the updated Boeing 777X. Financial constraints also pose challenges; developing a new aircraft could cost between $15 billion and $50 billion. AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly highlighted that cash flow is crucial for Boeing's ability to sell airplanes and fund new projects.