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Fast Facts: Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 family began with the 737-100 and 737-200, followed by the Boeing 737 Classic family, which includes the 737-300, 737-400 and 737-500 models. The latest members of the 737 family are the Boeing Next-Generation 737s, comprising the 737-600, 737-700, 737-700ER (Extended Range), 737-800 and 737-900ER models.
The Boeing 737 program launched February 1965 as a short-range airplane to complement the larger 707 and 727 jetliners. The initial customer for the 737-100 was Lufthansa, the German national airline, which ordered 22 airplanes.
This was the first time that a Boeing airplane was sold to a foreign airline before it was ordered by an American customer.
Boeing rolled out the first 737-100 in Seattle on Jan. 17, 1967, and delivered it to Lufthansa on Dec. 28, 1967. Lufthansa entered the 737-100 into commercial service on Feb. 10, 1968.
The 737-200 first rolled out on June 29, 1967, and was delivered to launch customer United Air Lines on Dec. 29, 1967. United entered the 737-200 into service on April 28, 1968.
Once the 737-200 was in service, that model quickly proved to be the overwhelming favorite of airline customers, and the 737-100 was discontinued after production of 30 airplanes.
The last 737-200 model was delivered in August 1988.
Classic
Continually improving and advancing aerodynamic and structural technologies--as well as serving customers' needs--Boeing produced several Classic 737 series passenger and derivative models from 1984 to 2000.
737-300: Boeing rolled out the 737-300 on Jan. 17, 1984, in Renton, Wash., and delivered the first airplanes to USAir on Nov. 28, 1984, and to Southwest Airlines on Nov. 30, 1984. The last delivery was to Air New Zealand on Dec. 17, 1999.
737-400: The 737-400 program launched June 1986, with Boeing rolling out the first airplane on Jan. 26, 1988. Boeing delivered the first airplane on Sept. 15, 1988, to launch customer Piedmont Airlines. The last 737-400 delivery was to CSA Czech Air on Feb. 25, 2000.
737-500: The FAA certified the 737-500 on Feb. 12, 1990, and first deliveries to Southwest Airlines and Braathens SAFE began shortly after. The last 737-500 delivered was to Air Nippon on July 26, 1999.
The last airplane of the Classic 737 series, a 737-400, was delivered to CSA Czech Air on Feb. 25, 2000.
By then, Boeing delivered 1,988 737-300/400/500 models to 154 customers around the world.
Next-Generation 737 family
Boeing on Nov. 17, 1993, authorized the Next-Generation 737-600, -700 and -800 programs. The Next-Generation 737 is the newest and most technologically advanced single-aisle airplane. It flies higher, faster and farther than previous models and competitors. In addition, its flight deck features the latest liquid-crystal flat-panel displays and is designed to accommodate new communications and flight-management capabilities.
737-600: Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) was the launch customer for the 737-600 on March 15, 1995, when the carrier ordered 35 airplanes. Boeing rolled out the first 737-600 from the Renton, Wash., factory on Dec. 8, 1997, and delivered it to SAS on Sept. 19, 1998. SAS entered the airplane into service on Oct. 25, 1998.
737-700: On Nov. 17, 1993, the 737-700 launched with an order from Southwest Airlines for 63 airplanes. Boeing rolled out the airplane in Renton, Wash., on Dec. 8, 1996. On Dec. 17, 1997, Boeing delivered the first Next-Generation 737-700 to launch customer Southwest Airlines. Southwest entered the airplane into service on Jan. 18, 1998.
737-800: Boeing received the first 737-800 order on Sept. 5, 1994, from launch customer Hapag-Lloyd of Germany. Boeing rolled out the airplane on June 30, 1997. On April 22, 1998, the first 737-800 is delivered to launch customer Hapag-Lloyd. The carrier entered the airplane into service on April 24, 1998.
737-900: On Nov. 10, 1997, Alaska Airlines announced an order for 10 737-900s and 10 options, launching the fourth model in the Next-Generation 737 family. The first Next-Generation 737-900 rolled out from the Renton, Wash., factory on July 23, 2000, and deliveries began in May 2001. Alaska Airlines entered the 737-900 into service on May 27, 2001.
737-900ER (Extended Range): A higher capacity, longer-range derivative of the 737-900, the 737-900ER launched July 18, 2005, with an order for 30 airplanes from Indonesia carrier Lion Air. On April 27, 2007, Boeing delivered the first Next-Generation 737-900ER to launch customer Lion Air.
737 milestones
The Boeing 737 family is the best-selling commercial jet in history. Today, more than 7,000 orders have been placed for 737s.
On Feb. 13, 2006, Boeing delivered the 5,000th 737 to Southwest Airlines. Guinness World Records acknowledged the 737 as the most-produced large commercial jet airplane in aviation history.
On July 26, 2006, Boeing made history by delivering the 2,000th Next-Generation 737, nearly seven years sooner than any other commercial jet airplane model. The milestone delivery--a 737-700 to Southwest Airlines--occurred nearly nine years after Southwest received the first Next-Generation 737.
On June 13, 2003, the Boeing Next-Generation 737 fleet surpassed 10 million flight hours within five years of entering service--a record and a feat equal to one airplane flying more than 1,141 years nonstop.
On Nov. 17, 1995, the Boeing Next-Generation 737 program set a new aviation record by selling more Next-Generation 737s in the first two years they have been offered than any other commercial jetliner.
For more information on the Boeing 737 family, visit: www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/index.html