Boeing Commercial Airplanes 737 Manufacturing Site
Renton, Washington
Throughout the years, the Airplane Programs manufacturing site in Renton, Wash., has been home to many of commercial aviation's most renowned airplanes, including the 707, 727, 737 and 757. Today, employees at the 278-acre site, which encompasses 4.1 million square feet (380,902 square meters) of building space, produce the Boeing Next-Generation 737 airplane models.
The Next-Generation 737 family -- the newest, most-advanced jetliner in its class -- entered service in 1998 and is offered in four sizes. The family includes the 737-600, -700, -800 and -900ER. Other models include the 737-700C convertible freighter and the Boeing Business Jet.
Located a few miles southeast of Seattle, the Renton manufacturing facility once was a marsh through which the Cedar River flowed. In 1941, the U.S. Government needed a location to build the XPPB-1 Sea Ranger, an experimental flying boat that would serve as a bomber and patrol airplane. Under Boeing supervision, the Cedar River was diverted and construction began on a 95-acre, 2.3 million square-foot (215,353 square meters) plant.
Military production carried Renton activities through the rest of the 1940s. In 1952, Boeing made a $16 million gamble developing a prototype that would change commercial aviation history -- the Boeing 367-80, nicknamed the "Dash 80." Two different production aircraft were developed from the Dash 80; the military KC-135 Stratotanker and the world's first successful commercial jetliner -- the 707, which established Boeing as a leader in the aviation industry and ushered in the new age of commercial jet transportation.
After 37 years of production, the last 707 rolled off the assembly line April 30, 1991. Commercial production ceased in 1978, but the airframe continued to be built for 13 years. These airframes were converted into the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), as well as the VC-137 series, which was used by the President of the United States and known as Air Force One.
With the company's newfound success in commercial jet transports, Boeing continued new airplane development and during the 1960s introduced two of the most popular jetliners in aviation history -- the Boeing 727 and the Boeing 737. The popularity and economy of the three-engine 727 helped it become the world's most-ordered jetliner of its time until it was surpassed by the 737.
The Boeing 737 is the most widely used commercial jetliner in history, accounting for more than one-fourth of all commercial jetliners in service today. The Next-Generation 737 family, introduced in 1998, is the newest, most technologically advanced jetliner in its class and accounts for about half of all 737 orders ever placed.
Known for its exceptional fuel efficiency and low noise levels, the Boeing 757 family includes two passenger models -- the 757-200 and the larger 757-300 -- and a freighter, which is based on the 757-200 fuselage. Boeing completed production of the 757 in late 2004. More than 1,000 757s have been delivered to customers around the world. In the history of commercial aviation, only seven commercial airplane programs have achieved this significant milestone. All told, the Renton site has produced 42 percent of the world's current jetliner fleet.
The final assembly building for the 737 originally was intended for 707 and 727 assembly and later for the Boeing Supersonic Transport, which never went into production. The building was also used to refurbish the first four production Boeing 747s, which were assembled in Everett Wash. When completed, the 737 final assembly building was the world's largest building by volume รข€“ a record later surpassed by the final assembly building for the Boeing 747, 767 and 777 in Everett.
The ground floor of the final assembly building for the Boeing 737 covers 760,000 square feet (70,600 square meters). Activities at other main buildings at the Renton site include wing production and a paint hangar.
In 2003 Boeing began to consolidate site operations into the final assembly building, bringing together under one roof most of the people who design, build and support the Boeing 737 airplane program. The renovated factory space created an environment that promotes greater efficiency, communication and collaboration. This consolidation also has resulted in a smaller footprint for the Renton site.
The Renton Airport, located west of the main site, is used by Boeing to perform pre-flight tests on all 737s before they make their initial test flight. After the flight, the 737s land at Boeing Field in Seattle where final preparations are made before they are delivered to customers.