PLEASE NOTE: THIS PAGE HAS A LOT OF GRAPHICS.
PLEASE BE PATIENT AS THE PAGE LOADS.
updated 3/11/2000
THE AIRPLANE AND AIRLINES PAGE
THE BOEING 737 CLASSICS, AND
BOEING 737 NEW GENERATION
On the pages saluting my company, USAirways, the 737s that we fly are known
as "Classic" models: the series -200, -300, and -400. There is also a series
-500, comparable in size to the series -200, that is available, which USAirways does not operate. The 737
Classic models are all derived from the base airplane design of the original 737, first produced in 1968.
By far the most prolific and best selling commercial jetliner ever, the 737 Classics define the essence
of the Boeing product: versatile, strong, graceful, a "pilot's airplane".
737-100 landing on a dirt runway...
somewhere on a Pacific island.
My personal favorite of the 737 line. This is a picture
of the series -400, lifting off from the runway at Boeing
Field in Seattle, on its maiden flight.
At right,
the flight
deck of a
737-400. The
flight decks
of all 737s
are pretty
much
common.
All three versions of the second generation
737 Classics are in production, shown above
at Boeing's Renton, WA, assembly facility:
the series -300, -400, and -500.
Boeing 737 "New Generation" :
The series -700, -800, and -900
"The 737 that is designed to fly HIGHER, FASTER, and
FARTHER...than any other airplane in its class."
...quoted from a Boeing ad, introducing the new 737s.
Boeing found it necessary, in competition with Airbus, to completely update and in some cases redesign the
737. The last of the 737 "Classics" was the model 737-500, which was essentially an updated version of the
737-200.
The introduction of the 737 series -600, -700, -800, and -900 brought in what is known as the 737 "NG", or
"New Generation". The "NG" series have redesigned wings, updated flight controls, state of the art flight
deck electronics, and new series CFM56 high bypass turbofan engines. Incorporating all these changes, as
well as others, the New Generation 737 meets its advertising tagline: "...to fly Higher, Faster, and Farther...
than any airplane in its class..." Below, see pictures of the 737 "New Generation". The series numbers follow
the aircraft sizing: the -600 being the smallest of the New Generation 737, followed by the -700, then the -800,
and finally the 737-900, which is the largest of the new 737 family.
At left, a 737-900 on its
maiden flight
At left, the first prod-
uction 737-600 during
her maiden flight.
At right, the first
production 737-700
receives finishing
touches in the paint
hangar prior to the
official rollout of the
new airplane.
The New Generation 737 Family poses in its natural
habitat. The -700 is on the bottom, -800 next up, -600
is second from the top, and the -900 is on the top.
Boeing, the Boeing logo, "737NG", "737 New Generation", and all associated aircraft designs and designations
are registered trademarks of The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA, USA.