Boeing Was ‘Go, Go, Go’ to Beat Airbus with the 737 Max

American Airlines, an exclusive Boeing customer for more than a decade, was ready to place an order for hundreds of new, fuel-efficient jets from the world’s other major aircraft manufacturer, Airbus. To win over American, Boeing ditched the idea of developing a new passenger plane, which would take a decade. The competitive pressure to build the jet — which permeated the entire design and development — now threatens the reputation and profits of Boeing, after two deadly crashes of the 737 Max in less than five months.

Source: www.nytimes.com