Your next trans-Atlantic trip may be on Boeing's humble 737

The smallest aircraft made by Boeing and Airbus are about to find a new role operating trans-Atlantic routes that were previously the preserve of some of the world's biggest planes. The re-engined 737 Max and A320neo jets offer a 15% fuel saving meant to cut costs on the shortest inter-city services. At the same time the revamp has added about 500 miles to their range -- just enough to allow the narrow-bodies to span the 3,000 miles between the eastern US and Western Europe. While 8 hours on a 130-foot plane with 3 toilets and 1 gangway might not immediately appeal to travellers used to the spacious cabins of an Airbus A380, airlines say the smaller jets will open up direct routes that wouldn't otherwise be viable. That would also do away with the need to switch between flights at a busy hub. <br/>