Boeing 737 Next Generation facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Boeing 737 Next Generation 737-600/-700/-800/-900
The 737-800 is the best-selling 737NG variant. Southwest Airlines (as seen in this January 2015 picture) is the largest operator.
General information
Type	Narrow-body airliner
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Status	In service, military variants in production
Primary users	Southwest Airlines Ryanair United Airlines American Airlines
Number built	7,113 as of January 2025^[update]
History
Manufactured	1996–2020 (civilian variants) 1996–present (military variants)
Introduction date	December 17, 1997 (December 17, 1997) with Southwest Airlines
First flight	February 9, 1997; 28 years ago (1997-02-09)
Developed from	Boeing 737 Classic
Variants	Boeing Business Jet Boeing C-40 Clipper Boeing E-7 Wedgetail Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Developed into	Boeing 737 MAX

The Boeing 737 Next Generation, often called 737NG, is a popular twin-engine airplane. It's a narrow-body aircraft, meaning it has one aisle for passengers. Boeing Commercial Airplanes started making these planes in 1997.

The 737NG is an improved version of the older Boeing 737 Classic series. It has a new wing design that's bigger and holds more fuel. This allows it to fly farther. It also has modern engines, a glass cockpit (digital screens instead of old dials), and a new passenger cabin. There are four main types: the –600, –700, –800, and –900. These planes can carry between 108 and 215 passengers. The main competitor for the 737NG is the Airbus A320 family.

By January 2025, over 7,100 737NG aircraft had been delivered. The 737-800 is the most popular type. Boeing stopped making new passenger 737NGs in 2019. The newer Boeing 737 MAX planes started being used in 2017.

Developing the 737 Next Generation

The first 737NG, a 737-700, was shown on December 8, 1996. It first flew on February 9, 1997, and later went to Southwest Airlines.

Why a New Plane?

Boeing decided to create the 737 Next Generation because other airlines, like United Airlines, started buying planes from Airbus. These Airbus planes, like the A320, had newer technology. Boeing wanted to update its 737 Classic planes to be more efficient and fly longer distances. So, in 1993, they announced the "737 Next Generation" program.

Testing the New Planes

The first 737NG plane, a 737-700, was ready on December 8, 1996. It flew for the first time on February 9, 1997. The larger 737-800 first flew in July 1997. The smallest version, the 737-600, flew in January 1998. Boeing used 10 planes for testing to make sure they were safe and worked well.

Cool New Features

Boeing added special features to the 737NG over time.

Better Takeoffs and Landings

In 2004, Boeing offered a "Short Field Performance" package. This helped planes take off and land better on shorter runways. It's especially useful for airports with limited space. This package became standard for the 737-900ER.

Lighter Brakes

In 2008, Boeing started offering new carbon brakes. These brakes are much lighter than the old steel ones. This weight saving helps the plane use less fuel. For example, a 737-800 could save 0.5% on fuel.

Improved Fuel Efficiency

New engine parts, called "Evolution nacelles," were tested in 2009. These improvements help the plane fly more smoothly and use about 2% less fuel on longer flights.

Enhanced Short Runway Package

This special package helps the 737-600, -700, and -800 models use shorter runways. It allows them to carry more weight (passengers or fuel) when flying from these airports. The package includes:

Better winglets that help the plane land at slower speeds.
Improvements to the leading-edge slats (parts of the wing) for faster climbs on shorter runways.
Faster braking after landing to reduce stopping distances.
Increased aerodynamic braking (using parts of the wing to slow down).
A special tail skid to prevent the tail from hitting the ground during landing.

The first plane with this package was delivered in 2006 to Gol Transportes Aéreos. Many airlines have ordered this feature.

Making Sure Planes Are Safe

Boeing and aviation authorities regularly inspect planes to ensure they are safe. In 2019, during a routine check, tiny cracks were found on a part called a "pickle fork." This part connects the fuselage (the main body) to the wings. This part is designed to last a very long time.

Boeing quickly told the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) about this. They then asked airlines to inspect planes that had flown many times. If cracks were found, the planes were grounded and repaired. This was to make sure all planes remained safe for flying. About 5% of the first 1,200 planes inspected had these small cracks and were fixed.

After an engine problem on a Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 in 2018, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggested redesigning a part of the engine casing called the nacelle. This would make the planes even safer.

How They Are Built

The Boeing Renton Factory increased its production from 31.5 to 52 planes per month.

Boeing increased how many 737s they built each month. In 2010, they made about 31 planes a month. By 2018, they aimed to make 52 planes a month.

Building a 737 at the Boeing Renton Factory is a fast process. The main body, called the fuselage, arrives on Day 1. Wires and hydraulic systems are installed on Day 2 and 3. On Day 4, the wings and landing gear are attached. Then, the inside of the plane is fitted with airline seats, kitchens (called galleys), and bathrooms. Engines are added on Day 8. By Day 10, the plane is ready for test flights!

Boeing stopped making new passenger 737NGs in 2019. The last ones were delivered in January 2020. However, they still make military versions like the P-8 Poseidon.

What Came Next?

The Boeing 737 MAX first flew on January 29, 2016.

Boeing thought about designing a completely new plane to replace the 737. But in 2011, they decided to update the 737NG instead. This new version is called the Boeing 737 MAX. It has more fuel-efficient engines and special winglets that look like split tips. The first 737 MAX flew in January 2016.

New "Split Scimitar winglets" also became available for some 737NG models starting in 2014. These winglets save even more fuel than the older ones.

How the 737NG Is Designed

This view shows the 737NG's wing, which is 25% larger and 16 feet (4.9 meters) wider than the 737 Classic's wing.

The advanced "glass cockpit" of a Boeing 737-800.

The 737NG has a redesigned wing that is 25% larger and 16 feet (4.9 meters) wider. This bigger wing holds 30% more fuel. It also uses quieter and more fuel-efficient engines. The plane can carry more weight when taking off and has a longer range. This means it can fly over 3,000 nautical miles, allowing for flights across continents.

The flight deck (where the pilots sit) has modern digital screens. The passenger cabin is also improved, with more curved walls and bigger overhead bins, similar to the larger Boeing 777.

In 2010, Boeing introduced the "Boeing Sky Interior" for the 737NG. This new interior has pivoting overhead bins, new walls, and colorful LED mood lighting. Newer "Space Bins" can hold even more carry-on bags.

Different Types of 737NG Planes

737-600

A SAS 737-600 in July 2007. The 737-600 is the shortest 737NG.

The 737-600 is the smallest of the 737NG family. It was first delivered in 1998 to SAS. Only 69 of these planes were made. It's similar in size to the Airbus A318. This model does not have winglets.

737-700

A Southwest Airlines 737-700 landing in August 2009. This plane is 110 feet 4 inches (33.63 meters) long.

The 737-700 was the first 737NG model ordered, with Southwest Airlines placing a big order in 1993. They received the first one in 1997. It replaced the older 737-300. It usually carries 126 to 149 passengers. It's similar to the Airbus A319.

The 737-700C is a special version where the seats can be removed to carry cargo instead. It has a large door on the side for loading goods. The United States Navy uses this version, calling it the Boeing C-40 Clipper.

737-700ER

An All Nippon Airways Boeing 737-700ER in January 2015.

The 737-700ER (Extended Range) was launched in 2006. It's based on the 737-700 but has stronger wings and landing gear from the 737-800. It can carry extra fuel tanks to fly much farther, up to 5,775 nautical miles. This means it can fly very long distances, but it carries less cargo. All Nippon Airways was the first airline to use it.

737-800

The 129-foot 6-inch (39.47-meter) long 737-800, operated by Hapag-Lloyd, in September 2010.

The Boeing 737-800 is a longer version of the 737-700. It replaced the older 737-400 and competes with the Airbus A320. It can seat 162 to 189 passengers. The first 737-800 was delivered in 1998 to Hapag-Lloyd Flug.

This plane also helped fill a gap when Boeing stopped making the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and McDonnell Douglas MD-90. Many U.S. airlines used the 737-800 to replace their older Boeing 727 planes.

The 737-800 is very fuel-efficient. It uses about 80% of the fuel that an MD-80 would use for a similar flight, while carrying more passengers. In 2011, United Airlines even flew a 737-800 using a mix of biofuel and regular jet fuel to help reduce its carbon footprint.

The 737-800 is the most popular 737NG model. Ryanair, a low-cost airline, has over 400 of these planes.

737-800BCF

A West Atlantic 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) in May 2018.

In 2016, Boeing started a program to turn old passenger 737-800s into cargo planes. These are called 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter). The first one was delivered in 2018 to West Atlantic. These planes are popular because they are cost-effective for carrying goods.

The changes include adding a large cargo door and a system to handle cargo. These planes can fly about 1,995 nautical miles with a full load of cargo.

737-800SF

Another company, Aeronautical Engineers Inc (AEI), also converts 737-800s into cargo planes, called 737-800SF. These planes can carry about 52,800 pounds (23,950 kg) of cargo and fly 2,000 nautical miles. The first AEI-converted plane was delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in 2019.

737-900

An Alaska Airlines 737-900 taking off in October 2004. This plane is 138 feet 2 inches (42.11 meters) long.

Boeing later made the 737-900, which is an even longer version. It's 138 feet 2 inches (42.11 meters) long. However, because of its exit door setup, it could only carry up to 189 passengers, similar to the shorter 737-800. Alaska Airlines was the first to use it in 2001. Only 52 of these planes were made before a better version came out.

737-900ER

The first flight of the 737-900ER in September 2006. This plane has an extra exit door behind the wing.

The 737-900ER (Extended Range) is the longest and final version of the 737NG. It was designed to replace the Boeing 757-200 and compete with the Airbus A321.

This plane can have extra fuel tanks and standard winglets to fly farther. It also has an extra pair of exit doors and a redesigned back section, allowing it to carry up to 220 passengers. Airlines can choose to "plug" (deactivate) the extra doors if they carry fewer than 189 passengers.

The 737-900ER first flew in 2006. The first plane was delivered to Lion Air in 2007. Over 500 of these planes were delivered.

Military Versions

An Airborne early warning and control plane, the Boeing 737 AEW&C, in May 2004.

The 737NG is also used for military purposes:

Boeing 737 AEW&C: This is an "airborne early warning and control" plane. It's like a flying radar station that helps militaries see what's happening in the sky. Countries like Australia, Turkey, and South Korea use it.
C-40 Clipper: The U.S. Navy uses this plane to carry cargo and passengers. The U.S. Air Force uses other versions (C-40B and C-40C) to transport generals and other important leaders.
P-8 Poseidon: The U.S. Navy uses the P-8 to find submarines and patrol the seas. It has special raked wingtips instead of the blended winglets seen on other 737NGs.

Boeing Business Jet (BBJ)

A typical BBJ cabin, designed for luxury travel.

The Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) is a special version of the 737NG made for private and luxury travel. It has the strong wings and landing gear of the 737-800 and extra fuel tanks for a much longer range. The first BBJ flew in 1998.

BBJ1: Based on the 737-700, it has a longer range. Over 100 of these were delivered.
BBJ2: Based on the 737-800, it's longer than the BBJ1, with more cabin and baggage space. It has a slightly shorter range.
BBJ3: Based on the 737-900ER, it's even longer than the BBJ2 but has a slightly shorter range.

Who Uses the 737NG?

As of July 2018, over 6,300 Boeing 737 Next Generation planes were being used by airlines around the world. This includes 69 of the -600s, 1,027 of the -700s, 4,764 of the -800s, and 513 of the -900s.