Thousands of Boeing employees recently helped celebrate the debut of the first 737 MAX 7 at the company's Renton, Washington factory.

The new Boeing 737 MAX 7 will carry up to 172 passengers and have a maximum range of 3,850 nautical miles, which is the third and newest member, as well as the longest range, of the MAX airplane family.

While the new plane will be able to fly 1,000 nautical miles farther than its predecessor, it will have 18 percent lower fuel costs per seat. The MAX 7 will also be able to carry 12 more passengers 400 nautical miles farther than the Airbus A319neo.

“For our airline customers serving airports at high altitudes or remote locations, the MAX 7 is the ideal complement to their fleet. We look forward to demonstrating the incredible flexibility and range of this airplane,” Boeing vice president Keith Leverkuhn said in a statement. “This is the third 737 MAX family member our team has successfully introduced in just three years. That's a phenomenal accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of the entire 737 team.”

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Before it is put into service, the first MAX 7 will undergo system checks and will be entered into a flight testing program during the coming weeks. The plane will enter service in 2019, following delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines.

The MAX 8 entered service with customers across the globe last year, and the MAX 9 will start deliveries in the coming months. The MAX 10 was launched at last year's Paris Air Show and is scheduled to enter service in the 2020 timeframe.