Boeing is opening its 737 North Line at the Everett factory this summer — and it is a bigger deal for this city than almost anything else happening in 2026.
This is the first time in aviation history that a 737 MAX will be assembled outside of Boeing’s Renton facility. The North Line is the fourth 737 production line Boeing is operating — three are in Renton — and it occupies space in the Everett factory that used to build 787 Dreamliners before Boeing moved that production to South Carolina in 2021. CEO Kelly Ortberg recently toured the facility. Boeing confirmed operations begin this summer.
What the North Line Is
The North Line will initially produce the 737-8, 737-9, and 737-10 — all MAX variants. It’s been designed as an exact replica of the Renton production system, with one key difference: a specialized 737 Wing Transport Tool that ferries partially completed wings to Everett for final assembly. Boeing is starting the line at Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) — a deliberately slow ramp intentionally built to allow additional quality checks before FAA sign-off under Boeing’s production certificate PC700. After LRIP, the North Line gets fully integrated into Boeing’s overall 737 flow, unlocking production capacity above 47 aircraft per month. The long-term target is 63 MAX per month across all four lines.
Who’s Building the Team
Boeing is staffing the North Line with a mix of new hires and experienced employees from Renton, Everett, and Moses Lake. The knowledge transfer approach is intentional — veteran mechanics who spent careers on 747s, 767s, and 777s are now training on 737 systems in Renton before coming back to run the Everett line. John V., a nearly 40-year Boeing veteran with experience across all three widebody programs, is transitioning to the role of FAA and customer coordinator for the North Line. “This will be my first time working on the 737 program,” he said. “But we are doing the training right.”
Among the first hired specifically for the line were Jaden Myers and Alondra Ponce, who completed 12 weeks of foundational training followed by structured on-the-job training in Renton. “Training was so positive and refreshing,” Ponce said. “It was different than any training I’ve done from other jobs.” Myers: “Opening a new production line is something special. So, we have to do it right.”
The 737 MAX 10 Angle
CEO Ortberg confirmed that the 737 MAX 10 — the largest 737 variant at 143 feet 8 inches, with capacity for up to 230 passengers — will be produced predominantly at the Everett North Line once FAA certification clears. The 737 MAX 10 is currently awaiting FAA certification, with Boeing expecting it to happen in 2026. By isolating the MAX 10 to Everett, the three Renton lines can maintain faster, more efficient flow on the -8 and -9 variants. Ortberg said the MAX 10 will naturally flow through the Everett factory at a slower pace than the other variants — which is exactly the point. “By isolating or providing that fourth line in Everett, it will allow us to let the three lines in Renton flow faster.”
What This Means for Everett Workers
More than 30,000 Boeing employees already work on the Everett campus. The North Line is hiring hundreds more — new positions in mechanics, quality, FAA coordination, and production leadership. Boeing is not relocating the entire 737 program from Renton. This is pure capacity addition. For Everett, that means new aerospace jobs landing in a city whose economy has been anchored by widebody programs that are now scaling down. The North Line is the bridge between Everett’s widebody past and its narrowbody future.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Boeing 737 North Line in Everett open?
Boeing has confirmed the North Line opens this summer 2026. It will initially operate at Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) to demonstrate FAA conformity before scaling to full integration.
Has Boeing ever built 737s in Everett before?
No. This is the first time in the 737’s history — going back to 1967 — that it will be assembled outside of Renton. Everett has historically built only widebody jets: the 747, 767, 777, and 787.
How many 737s per month will Everett build?
Initially LRIP — a slow, checked ramp. After FAA conformity sign-off the line joins the overall 737 flow, pushing total production capacity above 47 per month. Long-term target across all four lines is 63 per month.
Is Boeing hiring for the North Line?
Yes. Boeing is hiring hundreds of employees for the North Line — a mix of new hires and transfers from Renton, Everett, and Moses Lake. Positions include mechanics, FAA coordinators, and production leaders.
What happened to the space where 787s were built in Everett?
Boeing moved all 787 production to its North Charleston, South Carolina facility in 2021, freeing the Everett bay for the new 737 North Line. The 747 line closed in December 2022 with the rollout of the final Queen of the Skies.
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