Boeing 737NG

Boeing 737NG
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Name	Boeing 737NG
Type	Narrow-body airliner
Manufacturer	Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Status	Out of production

Boeing 737NG The Boeing 737NG is a family of narrow-body, twin-engine airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes as the next generation of the Boeing 737 series. Conceived as a response to market competition from Airbus SAS and evolving airline requirements, the family integrates improvements in range, capacity, and systems while retaining commonality with earlier Boeing models. It served major carriers worldwide and competed with models from Airbus Industrie and regional offerings by Bombardier Aerospace and Embraer.

Development and Design

Development began amid rivalry with Airbus A320 family and in response to airline requests from carriers such as Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and British Airways. Led by engineers within Boeing Commercial Airplanes and guided by executives like Phil Condit, the program introduced a redesigned wing influenced by research from NASA studies and tests at facilities including Ames Research Center. Structural changes incorporated higher-capacity landing gear developed in concert with suppliers such as General Electric and Pratt & Whitney for engine integration considerations. Certification required coordination with authorities including the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Design choices balanced fleet commonality for operators like Ryanair and JetBlue Airways with performance enhancements sought by long-haul low-cost propositions like Norwegian Air Shuttle.

Variants

The family comprises multiple stretch and short-body models tailored to airline demands and ordered by carriers including Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines. Variants included higher-capacity types aimed at low-cost carriers such as Southwest Airlines and full-service operators like Cathay Pacific. Special configurations were adapted for freight operators like FedEx Express and government customers including the United States Air Force for transport and surveillance roles. Some airframes underwent conversions by firms such as Precision Conversions and Wipaire for freighter and VIP configurations.

Systems and Avionics

Avionics suites evolved through suppliers including Rockwell Collins, Honeywell International Inc., and Thales Group, integrating features common with contemporary Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 programs to streamline pilot training for airlines like KLM and Qantas. Flight controls incorporated enhancements informed by research from Langley Research Center and testing at Boeing Field. Engines supplied by General Electric (CFM variants developed with Safran/CFM International) and Pratt & Whitney provided options influencing range and economic performance metrics relevant to operators such as ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Air India. Environmental control systems and cabin modernization were influenced by suppliers including Hamilton Sundstrand and Zodiac Aerospace.

Operational History

Entering service with airlines including United Airlines and Lufthansa, the family saw widespread adoption by low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Southwest Airlines and full-service carriers such as Turkish Airlines and Iberia. The type operated on short and medium-haul routes connecting hubs like Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Heathrow Airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Beijing Capital International Airport. Fleet utilization and dispatch reliability were monitored by lessors including Avolon and GE Capital Aviation Services, while maintenance programs were managed by operators and third-party MROs such as SR Technics and AAR Corp..

Safety and Incidents

Accident and incident investigations involved agencies including the National Transportation Safety Board, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (Switzerland), and national aviation authorities. High-profile events prompted reviews of systems, maintenance protocols, and training at airlines like Pegasus Airlines and Lion Air affiliates. Industry responses included airworthiness directives issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and operational guidance from organizations such as the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Operators and Orders

Major operators included Ryanair, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air China, China Southern Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Turkish Airlines, Iberia, KLM, Qantas, ANA (All Nippon Airways), and Cathay Pacific. Leasing companies and lessors such as Avolon, Air Lease Corporation, GECAS, and SMBC Aviation Capital placed significant orders. Order competitions involved manufacturers including Airbus SAS and influenced airline fleet strategies at conglomerates like International Airlines Group and Delta Air Lines Group.

Specifications

General specifications varied across subtypes and depended on engines supplied by CFM International (a joint venture of GE Aviation and Safran), or options from Pratt & Whitney. Performance and capacity metrics were quoted to airlines including Southwest Airlines and Ryanair and influenced route deployment between hubs like Heathrow Airport and JFK International Airport. Exact values differed by variant and configuration as specified by Boeing Commercial Airplanes during sales and certification processes.

Category:Airliners