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Boeing 737 Boeing
737
Short to Medium-Range Jetliner

DESCRIPTION:
With its long-range 707 and medium-range 727 already in service, Boeing turned its attention to a new short-range 737 to complement the fleet. Though the new aircraft used many of the same components as its larger siblings, the 737 was originally intended to carry only 60 to 85 passengers. By the time the design was ready for production, however, that figure had risen to 100 or more.

The initial production run consisted of the -100 (100-seat) and the stretched -200 (120-seat) models. Demand for the -100 was weak and production was discontinued after only 30 were built. By the time the last -200 rolled off the assembly line, Boeing had already switched production to the second generation 737 series, the -300 (128-seat), -400 (146-seat), and the -500 (108 seat) models. Compared to the -200, these new aircraft not only featured differing lengths (due to different passenger capacities), but were also equipped with much more efficient engines allowing marked improvements in range.

Spurred by the successes of the 737 family, Boeing unveiled the third generation 737s in the 1990s. These included the -600 (108 seat), -700 (146 seat), and -800 (160 seat) models. These new aircraft feature even more fuel efficient and quieter engines as well as larger wings, improved avionics, and lower operating costs. The most recent addition to the family is the -900 model, seating about 180 passengers.

Counting all variants, some 3,800 examples of the 737 have been built by 2001 with production still proceeding, making the 737 the best-selling jetliner in history. Major competitors to the 737 series have included the DC-9, MD-80, and A320.

Data below for 737-200 Advanced and 737-900 except where noted
Last modified 15 April 2011

HISTORY:
First Flight (737-100) 9 April 1967
(737-200) 8 August 1967
(737-300) 24 February 1984
(737-400) 19 February 1988
(737-500) 30 June 1989
(737-600) 22 January 1998
(737-700) 9 February 1997
(737-800) 31 July 1997
(737-900) 3 August 2000
(737-900ER) 1 September 2006
Service Entry

(737-100) 10 February 1968 (with Lufthansa)
(737-200) 28 April 1968 (with United Airlines)
(737-300) 7 December 1984 (with Southwest Airlines)
(737-400) 1 October 1988 (with Piedmont Airlines)
(737-500) 2 March 1990 (with Southwest Airlines)
(737-600) 25 October 1998 (with SAS Scandinavian Airlines)
(737-700) 18 Jaunaury 1998 (with Southwest Airlines)
(737-800) 24 April 1998 (with Hapag Lloyd)
(737-900) 27 May 2001 (with Alaska Airlines)
(737-900ER) 27 April 2007 (with Lion Air)

CREW: (737-200) three flight crew: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer
(737-900) two flight crew: pilot, co-pilot

PASSENGERS: (737-100) 85 in two classes, 99 in one-class
(737-200) 95 in two classes, 124 in one-class
(737-300) 126 in two classes, 149 in one-class
(737-400) 147 in two classes, 168 in one-class
(737-500) 110 in two classes, 132 in one-class
(737-600) 110 in two classes, 132 in one-class
(737-700) 126 in two classes, 149 in one-class
(737-800) 162 in two classes, 189 in one-class
(737-900) 177 in two classes, 189 in one-class
(737-900ER) 201 in two classes, 220 in one-class

ESTIMATED COST:

(737-700) $50.5 to $59 million [2005$]
(737-800) $70.5 to $79 million [2005$]
(737-900ER) $74 to $85 million [2007$]
(737 BBJ) $32 million [2003$] without furnishings

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root unknown
Wing Tip

Boeing TR-8 (?)

DIMENSIONS:
Length (737-200) 100.17 ft (30.53 m)
(737-300) 109.58 ft (33.40 m)
(737-700) 110.33 ft (33.63 m)
(737-900) 138.12 ft (42.10 m)
Wingspan (737-200) 93.0 ft (28.35 m)
(737-300) 94.75 ft (28.88 m)
(737-700) 112.58 ft (34.31 m)
(737-900) 112.58 ft (34.31 m)
Height (737-200) 37.0 ft (11.28 m)
(737-300) 36.50 ft (11.13 m)
(737-700) 36.50 ft (11.13 m)
(737-900) 41.00 ft (12.50 m)
Wing Area (737-200) 980 ft² (91.04 m²)
(737-900) 1,341.2 ft² (124.60 m²)
Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:
Empty (737-200) 61,050 lb (27,690 kg)
(737-300) 72,360 lb (32,820 kg)
(737-600) 81,360 lb (36,900 kg)
(737-700) 83,790 lb (38,010 kg)
(737-800) 90,560 lb (41,080 kg)
(737-900) 93,610 lb (42,460 kg)
(737-900ER) 183,425 lb (83,200 kg)
Normal Takeoff unknown
Max Takeoff (737-200) 115,500 lb (52,500 kg)
(737-300) 124,500 lb (56,470 kg)
(737-600) 124,000 lb (56,240 kg)
(737-700) 133,000 lb (60,320 kg)
(737-800) 155,500 lb (70,530 kg)
(737-900) 172,000 lb (78,015 kg)
Fuel Capacity internal:
(737-100) 4,720 gal (17,866 L)
(737-200) 4,780 gal (18,094 L)
(737-300/400/500) 5,311 (20,104 L)
(737-600/700/800/900) 6,875 gal (26,025 L)
external: not applicable
Max Payload

unknown

PROPULSION:
Powerplant (737-100/200) two Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofans
(737-300/400/500) two CFM International CFM56-3C1 turbofans
(737-600/700/800/900) two CFM International CFM56-7B turbofans
Thrust (737-100/200) 31,000 lb (138 kN)
(737-300/400/500) 40,000 lb (177.94 kN)
(737-600/700/800/900) 48,000 lb (213.52 kN)

PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed at altitude: (737-200) 585 mph (945 km/h) at 23,500 ft (7,165 m), Mach 0.84
at altitude: (737-900) 565 mph (910 km/h) at 27,000 ft (8,230 m), Mach 0.82
at sea level: unknown
cruise speed: (737-200) 575 mph (925 km/h) at 22,600 ft (6,890 m), Mach 0.82
cruise speed: (737-900) 520 mph (925 km/h) at 38,975 ft (11,880 m), Mach 0.79
Initial Climb Rate unknown
Service Ceiling (737-900) 41,010 ft (12,500 m)
Cruise Altitude 30,000 ft (9,145 m)
Range (737-200) 1,860 nm (3,440 km)
(737-300) 2,260 nm (4,180 km)
(737-400) 2,060 nm (3,810 km)
(737-500) 2,380 nm (4,400 km)
(737-600) 3,160 nm (5,840 km)
(737-700) 3,300 nm (6,110 km)
(737-800) 2,930 nm (5,420 km)
(737-900) 2,730 nm (5,050 km)
(737-900ER) 3,000 nm (5,555 km)
g-Limits unknown

KNOWN VARIANTS:
737-100 First production model; 30 built
727-200 Stretched model for up to 124 passengers; total of 1,095 built (including all 737-200 models)
737-200C Convertible cargo/passenger model
737-200QC Quick-change passenger/cargo convertible model
T-43 Navigation training aircraft built for the US Air Force with the passenger cabin replaced by avionics consoles and accomodation for 12 trainees and three instructors; 19 built
Advanced
737-200
Improved 727-200 with new engines and a passenger capacity up to 130
Advanced
737-200C/QC
Improved cargo models based on the Advanced 727-200
Advanced
737-200
Executive Jet
Advanced 737-200 model specially tailored as a luxury business/executive transport
Advanced
737-200
High Gross
Weight Structure
Advanced 737-200 model with a strengthened wing structure, modified landing gear, and an additional fuel tank for increased range
Advanced
737-200
SLAMMR
Maritime patrol and transport model built for Indonesia and equipped with a side-looking airborne multi-mission radar (SLAMMR); 3 built
737-300 Second generation 737 with a longer fuselage for up to 149 passengers and new engines; 1,113 built
737-400 Lengthened 737-300 carrying up to 168 passengers; 486 built
737-400SF Freighter model converted from 737-400 passenger airframes
737-500 Shortened 737-300 carrying up to 132 passengers; 389 built
737-600 Shortened 737-700 model carrying up to 132 passengers, replacing 737-500 model; 69 built before production ended
737-700 Third generation 737 for up to 149 passengers, replacing 737-300 model; 306 built by 2001
737-800 Lengthened 737-700 carrying up to 189 passengers, replacing -400 model; 383 built by 2001
737-900 Lengthened 737-700 model for up to 189 passengers; production discontinued in favor of the 737-900ER
737-900ER or 737-900X Extended range, higher capacity variant of the 737-900 for up to 220 passengers designed to replace the Boeing 757-200
737 BBJ Boeing Business Jet derived from the 737 combining the basic fuselage of the 737-700 with the wing of the 737-800, also includes winglets to improve range
737 BBJ2 Boeing Business Jet 2 with the longer fuselage of the 737-800 with a longer fuselage for increased passenger space
737 AEW&C Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control model based on the 737-700 but fitted with a large Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar antenna above the fuselage and space in the cabin for eight to twelve operators, ordered by Australia, South Korea, and Turkey
P-8A Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) to replace the P-3 Orion and based on the 737-800, modifications include addition of an internal weapons bay and advanced sensors for sea reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-ship defense missions

KNOWN OPERATORS:
Civil Abu Dhabi Amiri Flight
Access Air
Adam Air
Aeris
Aer Lingus
Aero Asia
Aero Continente Chile
Aeroflot
Aeroflot Nord
Aerolineas Argentinas
Aéromaritime
Aeromexico
Aero Peru
Aerosucre Colombia
Aerosvit-Ukrainian Airlines
Aerosweet Airlines
Aero Zambia
Aigle Azur
Air Afrique
Air Algerie
Air Anatolia
Air Aruba
AirAsia
Air Atlantis
Air Austral
Air Belgium
Air Berlin USA
Air Caledonie
Air California
Air Caribbean
Air China
Air Djibouti
Air Europa
Airfast Indonesia
Air Florida
Air Foyle
Air France
Air Gabon
Air Great Wall
Air Guinee
Air Guizhou
Air India
Air India Cargo
Air India Express
Air Inter Cameroon
Air Kazakhstan
Air Kenya
Air Lanka
Air Lease Corporation (ALC)
Air Liberte
Air Madagascar
Air Malawi
Air Malta
Air Martinique
Air Mediterranee
Air Namibia
Air Nauru
Air New Zealand
Air Nippon
Air Niugini
Air One
Air Pacific
Air Philippines
Air Sahara
Air Sénégal International (ASI)
Air Seychelles
Air Sicilia
Air Sinai
Air Solvakia
Air Tanzania
Air Toulouse
AirTran Airways
Air Zaire
Airzena Georgian Airlines
Air Zimbabwe
Alaska Airlines
Alliance Air
All Nippon
Aloha Airlines
Altitude Aircraft Leasing Trust
AMC Airlines
American Airlines
American Trans Air (ATA)
America West Airlines
Ameristar Air Cargo
AN Express Airlines
Angel Air
Angola Air Charter
Ansett Australia
Ansett New Zealand
Antinea Airlines
Ardo Flight Operations
Arik Air
Arkira Israeli Airlines
Asiana Airlines
Astraeus Airlines
Atlant-Soyuz
Atlas Air
Austral
Avant Airlines
Avensa
Aviacsa
Aviandina
Aviateca
Aviation Capital Group
Aviation Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO)
Aviation Methods
Aviagenix
Avolon
AWAS
Axon Airlines
Azerbaijan Airlines
Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management
Bahamasair
Balkan Bulgarian Airlines
Batavia Air
Bavaria
Bayu Air Indonesia
BCI Aircraft Leasing
Belavia
Bellview Airlines
Biman Bangladesh Airlines
Bluebird Cargo
Blue Dart Aviation
Blue Panorama Airlines
BMI Baby
BOC Aviation
Boliviana de Aviación (BoA)
Bouraq Indonesia
Braathens
Braniff
BSA Brasil Rodo Aereo
Britannia Airways
British Air Tours
British Airways
British Midland
British World Airlines
Brussels International Airlines
BWIA International
CAAC
CAL Congo Airlines
Cameroon Airlines
Canadian Airlines
Canadian North
Can Jet
Cargo Jet Canada
Carnival Air
Casino Express
Cayman Airways
Centennial Air
Centralwings
Chanchangi Airlines
China Airlines
China Eastern Airlines
China Hainan
China Southern Airlines
China Southwest
China United Airlines
China Xinhua Airlines
China Xinjiang Airlines
China Yunnan Airlines
City Bird
Color Air
Comair
Condor
Continental Airlines
Copa Airlines
Copa Panama
Corsair
Cronus Airlines
CSA Czech Airlines
Cubana de Aviacion
DBA Airline
Delta Air Lines
Deutsche
Dinair Lineas Aereas
Dubai Aero-space Enterprise (DAE)
East African Airlines
Eastwind Airlines
Easy Jet
Ecoair International
Egyptair
El Al
Estonian Air
Ethiopian Airlines
Excel Airways
Euralair International
Eurocypria Airlines
Europe Aéro Services (EAS)
European Aircharter
Euro Sun
Facts Air
Falcon Air
Far Eastern Air Transport
Faucatt Peru
First Air
Fischer Air
FlyDubai
FlyMe
Freedom Air International
Frontier Airlines
Fujian Airlines
Futura International Airways
Galaxy Airways
Garuda Indonesia
Gati
GATX
GB Airways
General Electric
GE Capital
GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS)
Genesis Lease
Germania
GMG Airlines
Global Aircraft Solutions
Go Fly
GOL Linhas Aereas
GOL Transportes Aereos
Grandair
Gulf Air
Hapag Lloyd
Hainan Airlines
Heliopolis Airlines
Helios Airways
Hong Kong Airlines
Iberia
Icelandair
Iceland Express
Indian Airlines
India Post
Inter Air
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC)
Iran Air
Iraqi Airways
Islandflug
Israir
Istanbul Airlines
Itek Air
JAL Express
JAT Yugoslav Airlines
Japan Airlines
Japan Transocean Air
Jet2
Jet Airways
JetLite
Jordan Aviation
Jugoslovenski
Kam Air
Kamaria
Karthango Airlines
KD-Avia
Kenya Airways
Khalifa Airways
KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines
KTHY Cyprus Turkish Airlines
Kulula Airlines
LAB Airlines
Lacsa
Ladeco Airlines
L'Aeropostale
LAM Mozambique
Lan Chile
Lan Peru
Lapa
Lauda Air
Ledeco
Lignes Aeriennes Congolaises
Lina Congo
Lion Mentari Air
Lithuanian Airlines
Lorair
Lot
LTU
Lufthansa
Luxair
Luxor Air
Maersk Air
Magnicharters
Malaysian Airline System (MAS)
Malev
Mandala Airlines
Mandarin Airlines
Mango
Markair
MAT Macedonian Airlines
MC Aviation Partners
Mediterranean Air Service
Mekong Airlines
Meridiana
Merpati Nusantara
Mid East Jet
Midway Airlines
MNG Airlines
Monarch
Myanmar Airways International
Nacional Transportes Aereos
Nations Air
Nationwide Airlines
Nigeria Airways
Nok Air
Nordeste
Norfolk Air
Norfolk Jet Express
North American Airlines
Northern Air Cargo
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Okay Airways
Olympic Airways
Oman Air
Orient Eagle Airways
Orient Express Air
Our Airline
Ozjet
Pace Airlines
Pacific Western Airlines
Palmair European
Pakistan International Airlines
Pamir Airways
Pan American World Airways (Pan Am)
Pegasus Airlines
People Express
Piedmont Airlines
Pharaoh Airlines
Philippine Air Lines
PLUNA
Polynesian
Presidential Air
Primeras
Privatair
Pro Air
Qantas
Regional Air
Rico Linhas Aéreas
Rio-Sul
Rostechnologii
Royal Air Maroc
Royal Aviation
Royal Brunei Airlines
Royal Khmer Airlines
Royal Tongan Airlines
Rwandair
Rwandair Express
Ryan International Airlines
Ryanair
S7 Airlines
Sabena
Sabre
Safair
Sahara Airlines
Sahsa
Sama
Saro
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Sata International
Saudia
Saudi Aramco Aviation
Sempati
Seven Air
Shaheen Air International
Shandong Airlines
Shanghai Airlines
Shenzhen Airlines
Sierra Pacific Airlines
Silkair
Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise
Sky Aviation
Skymark Airlines
Slovak Airlines
Sobelair
Solomon Airlines
Somon Air
South African Airways
Southwest Airlines
Spicejet
Sterling European
Sudan Airways
Sun Air
Sun Country Airlines
SunExpress
Sunwest International
TAAG Angola Airlines
TACA Peru
Taesa
Taf Linhas Aereas
TANS
TAME
TAP Air Portugal
Tarom
Tassili Airlines
TAT
Thai International Airways
THY Turkish Airlines
Titan Airways
Tombo Aviation Services
Transaero
Transavia Airlines
TransBrazil
Transmile Air Services
Transportes Aéreos Fortaleza (TAF)
Transworld Aviation
Travel Service Airlines
TUI
Tunisair
Turkmenistan Airlines
Ukraine International Airlines
United Airlines
US Airways
Varig
Vanguard Airlines
VASP
Victory Aviation
VietJetAir
Vietnam
Virgin Blue
Virgin Express
Virgin Express Ireland
Viscount Air Service
VRG Linhas Aereas
XL Airways
Westair
Western Airlines
West Jet Airlines
Western Pacific
Wien Air Alaska
Winair
Wuhan Airlines
Xiamen Airlines
Yemenia
Zambia Airways
Zhongyuan Airlines
Government/Military Australia (Royal Australian Air Force)
Brazil, Força Aérea Brasileira (Brazilian Air Force)
Chile, Fuerza Aérea de Chile (Chilean Air Force)
India, Bharatiya Vayu Sena (Indian Air Force)
Indonesia, Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara (Indonesian Air Force)
Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force)
Mexico, Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (Mexican Air Force)
Peru, Fuerza Aérea del Perú (Peruvian Air Force)
South Korea, Han-guk Kong Goon (Republic of Korea Air Force)
Taiwan, Chung-Kuo Kung Chuan (Republic Of China Air Force)
Thailand, Kongtap Agard Thai (Royal Thai Air Force)
Tunisia, Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriyah At'Tunisia (Republic of Tunisia Air Force)
Turkey, Türk Hava Kuvvetleri (Turkish Air Force)
United Arab Emirates (United Arab Emirates Air Force)
United States (US Air Force)
United States (US Navy)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

Boeing 737


SOURCES:
  • Aboulafia, Richard. Jane's Civil Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1996, p. 42-47, Boeing 737-100/200, Boeing 737-300/400/500, Boeing 737-600/700/800.
  • Boeing 737 site
  • Chant, Christopher and Taylor, Michael J.H. The World's Greatest Aircraft. Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books, 2006, p. 229, Boeing 737.
  • Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 169-170, Boeing Model 737.
  • Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 1999, p. 163-181, Boeing 737, Boeing 737 series 300, 400 and 500, Boeing 737 'Next Generation'.
  • Müller, Claudio. Aircraft of the World. NY: Muddle Puddle Books, 2004, p. 68-71, Boeing 737 BBJ/BBJ2, 737-900.
  • Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 213-215, Boeing 737-100/200, Boeing 737-300/400/500, Boeing 737-600/700/800.
  • Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 264-266, Boeing 737.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 248-250, Boeing 737-300 to 737-900 and Boeing Business Jet.









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