Boeing 737 Next Generation

Boeing 737 Next Generation. The Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes as the third generation derivative of the original Boeing 737. Launched in 1993 as a new family to compete with the modern Airbus A320 family, it incorporated advanced CFM International CFM56 engines, a redesigned wing, and a modernized glass cockpit based on the Boeing 777. The 737NG series, comprising the -600, -700, -800, and -900 variants, became one of the best-selling commercial aircraft families in aviation history before being succeeded by the Boeing 737 MAX.

Development and design

The program was officially launched in November 1993 following an order from Southwest Airlines, with the primary goal of creating a more efficient and capable aircraft to challenge the dominance of the rival Airbus A320 family. The design team, led by engineers at Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Renton, Washington, focused on a major aerodynamic overhaul, most notably a new wing with increased span and area, designed with technology from the Boeing 757 and Boeing 767. The flight deck was updated with a modern glass cockpit featuring LCD displays, similar to the systems introduced on the Boeing 777, which reduced crew workload. Power was provided by more fuel-efficient CFM International CFM56-7B engines, which were quieter and met stricter International Civil Aviation Organization noise regulations. The fuselage was also strengthened, and the interior featured the then-new Boeing Sky Interior on later models, with larger bins and LED lighting.

Variants

The 737NG family consists of four main passenger models. The 737-600, the smallest, was a direct successor to the Boeing 737-500 but saw limited sales, with major orders from Scandinavian Airlines and WestJet. The 737-700 was the base model and a replacement for the Boeing 737-300, with a popular extended-range version, the -700ER, ordered by All Nippon Airways. The 737-800, a stretched version of the -700, became the most successful variant, serving as the backbone for many major carriers like American Airlines, Ryanair, and Lufthansa. The largest model, the 737-900, was followed by the 737-900ER (Extended Range), which added extra exit doors and optional fuel tanks, finding significant success with airlines such as Lion Air and United Airlines. Specialized variants included the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) and military models like the P-8 Poseidon for the United States Navy.

Operational history

The aircraft first entered revenue service with launch customer Southwest Airlines on 17 December 1997. It quickly gained a reputation for reliability and efficiency, leading to massive orders from low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Southwest Airlines, as well as legacy airlines including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Air China. The 737-800, in particular, became ubiquitous at airports worldwide, defining short- to medium-haul travel in the 2000s and 2010s. The type saw extensive use across all continents, operating in diverse environments from the Arctic with Air Greenland to remote islands in the Pacific Ocean. Production of the 737NG continued for nearly three decades, with the final delivery, a 737-800 for Kuwait Airways, occurring in January 2024, as Boeing transitioned fully to the Boeing 737 MAX family.

Specifications

Specifications vary by model, with the 737-800 being the most common. It typically seats 162 to 189 passengers in a two-class layout and is powered by two CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines, each producing 26,400 lbf of thrust. The aircraft has a wingspan of 35.8 meters (117 ft 5 in), a length of 39.5 meters (129 ft 6 in), and a tail height of 12.5 meters (41 ft 2 in). Maximum take-off weight for the -800 is 79,016 kg (174,200 lb), with a range of approximately 5,765 kilometers (3,115 nautical miles). The flight deck is equipped with a Rockwell Collins-supplied avionics suite, and the aircraft is certified for Category III autoland operations.

Accidents and incidents

The 737NG has a strong safety record, though it has been involved in several notable accidents. These include the crash of Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in 2009, caused by a faulty radio altimeter, and the fatal crash of Air India Express Flight 812 in Mangalore in 2010 due to a runway overrun. In 2013, Lion Air Flight 904 overran the runway at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. A major hull-loss accident occurred in 2020 with Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, which was shot down shortly after takeoff from Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps amid tensions following the Operation Martyr Soleimani. The aircraft's design was scrutinized but not implicated in the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes, which involved the subsequent Boeing 737 MAX.

Category:Boeing aircraft Category:Twinjets Category:Airliners introduced in the 1990s