Sept 29 (Reuters) - Boeing ( BA ) is in the early stages

of developing a new single-aisle airplane that would eventually

replace the 737 MAX, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday,

citing people familiar with the matter.

Earlier this year, CEO Kelly Ortberg met with officials from

Rolls-Royce Holdings in the UK to discuss a new engine

for the aircraft, according to the WSJ report.

The U.S. planemaker has also been designing the flight deck

of a new narrow-body aircraft, the report said, adding that

development remains in the early planning phase, with final

decisions yet to be made.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. Boeing ( BA ) and

Rolls-Royce did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request

for comment.

The 737 MAX entered service in 2017, but the model was

grounded globally in 2019 following two fatal crashes.