[kayfox]

Boeing wanted a whole new design, the airlines pushed for a re-engined 737.

[Tempest1981]

Who at Boeing made the final decision? Was there a debate?

[kayfox]

Boeing, like many successful businesses these days, is a customer focused company. So ultimately the customers made that decision.

You don't spend billions of dollars developing a product that wont sell... unless your Airbus with the A380.