About the 737

The Boeing 737 (B737) Series is the biggest selling jet airliner ever built. The aircraft size, configuration, economy, range and reliability have made the series a favourite with airlines around the world. Since the B737 was launched in the 1960s with the B737-100, more than 7,500 orders have been placed. The B737 fleet has made more than 322 million flights. With 5,600 B737s being delivered and more than 4,100 in service today, the B737 represents more than a quarter of the total worldwide fleet of commercial jet airliners. In fact, on average, about 1,250 B737s are in the air at all times and one takes off or lands every 4.6 seconds.

737s fall into three groups:

The Originals: Boeing B737-100 and B737-200. Production was from 1971 until 1988.
The Classics: Boeing B737-300, B737-400 and B737-500. Production was from 1984 until 2000
Next Generation: B737-600, B737-700, B737-800 and B737-900. Production commenced in 1996 and continues today.

The Next Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft is the biggest selling model and has up to 189 seats, compared to just 100 on the original B737-100. It has more efficient CFM56-7B turbo fans; a new, more fuel-efficient wing and larger tail surfaces – all factors that have encouraged airlines to update their fleets. The new flight decks feature new six-panel LCD screens, providing more effective, easier-to-read information. The Next Generation B737-800 and B737-900 are the largest members of the Boeing family. They are distinguished by new fuselage lengths and an extended single-class seating range.

Technical Details:

Powered by – Two 24,200lb CFM56 fan engines.
Speed – Typical cruising Mach 0.785
Max altitude – 41,000ft
Standard range – 3600km with 162 passengers
Weight – 41,145kg (operating), maximum takeoff 70,535kg
Wing span – 34m
Length – 40m
Height – 12m