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Next-Generation 737 - 737-600/-700/-800/-900ER

The Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) aircraft are twin-engine, short to medium-range, narrowbodied aircraft. The family consists of the –600/-700/-800/-900 and –900ER models. Development of this updated aircraft series was initiated partially in response to Airbus’s production of the A320. Boeing received the go-ahead to replace the “Classic” 737s with the upgraded NG versions in 1993 with the announcement of the 737-700. This was later followed with the introduction of the 737-800 series in 1994, the –600 series in 1995 and finally the –900 series in 1997. After the absorption of Douglas by Boeing, the 737NG became the mainstay of the U.S. short-haul fleet, displacing older MD-80 aircraft. The 737NG has also made its way to Europe and the Pacific Rim with great success, and will continue to provide healthy competition for the Airbus A320 family.

The 737NG aircraft are based on earlier 737 Classic models, retaining significant commonality with their predecessors. However, the upgraded NG variants feature significant performance improvements over the Classic counterparts. The 737NG aircraft have a redesigned wing with 25 percent more area, which provides 30 percent more fuel capacity, and the advanced wing airfoil design employed results in increased cruise speed of 0.78 Mach, versus 0.74 Mach for the Classic models. The NG aircraft are powered by newer CFM56-7B variants, which feature higher thrust ratings than the earlier CFM56-3 models. Design improvements incorporated into the 737NG aircraft provided for up to 900 miles additional range over the Classic models, and allowed for U.S. transcontinental operations. Boeing also upgraded the avionics and cockpit in the new series of aircraft, incorporating some improvements from its 777 family of aircraft.

All of the 737NG aircraft have a wingspan of 112 feet, 7 inches, which is increased to 117 feet, 5 inches with the installation of optional blended winglets. Blended winglets are available as an option installed during production on 737-700, -800 and -900ER models, and are available as a retrofit from Aviation Partners Boeing on 737-700, -800 and -900 models. Blended winglets were first certified for retrofit on the 737-700 and -800 models in 2001, and for retrofit on 737-900 aircraft in 2007. The drag reduction due to blended winglets can reduce block fuel burn by four to five percent on certain missions, or increase the payload/range capability of the aircraft. Winglets have proven to be extremely popular with operators, and although an option, mba considers winglet equipped aircraft to be the standard for 737NG models on which winglets are available.

The 737-600/-700/-800/-900ER models incorporate a new, advanced-technology wing design that helps increase fuel capacity and efficiency, both of which increase range. On each wing, the chord is increased by about 20 inches (50 cm) and the total span by approximately 18 feet (5.5 m). The total wing area is increased by 25 percent to 1,341 square feet (125 m2), providing 30 percent more fuel capacity for a total of 6,875 U.S. gallons (26,020 L).

New-technology Blended Winglets, which are available on the 737-700, -800 and -900ER, further boost performance. The 8-foot (2.4-m)-long wingtip extensions enhance range, fuel efficiency and take-off performance while lowering carbon emissions, engine maintenance costs and noise. The Next-Generation 737 models fly approximately 3,000 nautical miles (5,500 km), an increase of up to 900 nautical miles over earlier 737 models. This increases 737 route capabilities throughout the world. The 737-700ER equipped with nine auxiliary fuel tanks has a maximum range of 5,785 nautical miles (10,710 km). The advanced wing airfoil design provides an economical cruise speed of .78 Mach (590 mph).

The members of the Next-Generation 737 family -- the 737-600/-700/-800/-900ER models -- continue the 737's popularity and reliability in commercial jetliner transport. The Next-Generation family has won orders for more than 6,300 airplanes, while the combined 737 family has surpassed 10,700 orders. Boeing has delivered more than 7,500 737s (of those more than 4,400 are Next-Generation 737s) through April 2013.

The 737-700 was launched in November 1993 with a Southwest Airlines order for 63 airplanes. On Nov. 7, 1997, the 737-700 was awarded type certification by the FAA, and the first delivery followed in December 1997. Europe's Joint Aviation Authority, or JAA, gave its validation Feb. 19, 1998. The second model, the 737-800, was launched Sept. 5, 1994, with commitments for more than 40 airplanes. The 737-800 earned FAA certification March 13, 1998, and JAA type validation April 9. The first delivery was to German carrier Hapag-Lloyd in spring 1998.

The 737 program broke the record for orders for any Boeing model in a single year, accumulating 1,124 net orders in 2012. The 737 MAX - which brings the best of future engine technologies to the record-selling 737 - accounted for 914 of those orders, bringing total orders to date to 1,235. In addition, the Next-Generation 737 set a new single-year record with 415 deliveries to customers worldwide. The 737 program also celebrated its 10,000th order in 2012.

The technical limitations of the 737-900 hindered its ability to compete with the Airbus A321, and Boeing developed the 737-900ER in response. This aircraft is an extended range version of the 737-900. This aircraft was initially referred to as the 737-900X and was launched on July 18, 2005 with an order from Lion Air for 30 aircraft. The first flight took place on September 1, 2006 and the aircraft received FAA certification on April 20, 2007 with the first delivery to Indonesian launch customer Lion Air following on April 27, 2007. The 737-900ER features an additional pair of exit doors as well as a flat rear pressure bulkhead to increase interior accommodation to 180 passengers in a typical two class configuration or up to 215 passengers in a single class. The aircraft has the same external dimensions as the 737-900 but features an increased maximum takeoff weight of 187,700 pounds, strengthened landing gear and wing structures, up to two optional auxiliary fuel tanks and optional winglets. These improvements allow for a range of 3,265 nautical miles carrying 180 passengers with the installation of the two auxiliary fuel tanks and winglets.

The last major variant of the 737NG to be launched was the 737-700ER, with an order by All Nippon Airways in January 2006. The aircraft received FAA certification on February 1, 2007 and the first delivery to ANA took place on February 14, 2007. The 737-700ER is an extended range version of the 737-700, and is essentially a commercial airline variant of the 737BBJ. The 737-700ER combines the fuselage of the 737-700 with the wings and landing gear of the 737-800, and can be equipped with up to nine optional auxiliary fuel tanks. The design results in a range of up to 5,510 nautical miles carrying 126 passengers.

On October 30, 2007 GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., the parent company of Brazil’s low-cost airlines GOL Transportes Aéreos S.A. and VRG Linhas Aéreas S.A., announced the delivery of the 100th aircraft in its combined fleet (GOL Transportes Aéreos and VRG Linhas Aéreas). The new Boeing 737-800 SFP (Short Field Performance) would be used on flights operated by GOL Transportes Aéreos.

Boeing developed the 737-800 SFP specifically for operations at two of Brazil’s busiest airports: Congonhas Airport in São Paulo and Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro, which has one of the shortest runways in the world. The SFPs are also equipped with winglets, a technology that improves aircraft performance during takeoff and affords fuel savings of more than 3 percent per year. All Boeing 737 model aircraft adhere to international safety rules and are certified by U.S. and Brazilian authorities to take-off and land on short runways. The 737-800 SFPs also include internal alterations that have increased seat capacity by nearly 30 percent on São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro shuttle route: SFPs seat 187 passengers compared to 141 seats on the competition’s largest aircraft to land at Santos Dumont.