Boeing announced today a new winglet design concept for the Boeing 737 MAX. According to Boeing the new winglet will provide MAX customers with up to an additional 1.5 percent fuel-burn improvement, depending on range.
“The concept is more efficient than any other wingtip device in the single-aisle market because the effective wing span increase is uniquely balanced between the upper and lower parts of the winglet,” said Michael Teal, chief project engineer, 737 MAX.
This winglet design isn’t new, though. In January Airbus already filed a patent for downward-facing winglets, allowing to incorporate a similar winglet design. Maybe we will even see a lawsuit coming.
Images: Boeing