A brand new wing design improved fuel capacity and increased aerodynamic efficiency. Besides flying farther and faster than earlier models, the new 737s also can fly higher than the competing A320, giving passengers a smoother ride. Airlines benefit from its altitude capability by being able to fly above bad weather, congested routes and less capable airplanes.. Next-Generation 737 designers also drew inspiration from the 777, placing large displays in the flightdeck dashboard and updating the passenger cabin with contoured walls and ceilings that create a spacious feeling and greater stowage capacity than the classic 737s.
The Next-Generation 737s are short- to medium-range jetliners having so many common features, they are essentially the same airplane offered in four sizes. The 737-600 can carry 110 to 132 passengers. The 737-700 accommodates 126 to 149 people. The 737-800 can seat 162 to 189 passengers. And the largest Next-Generation model, the 737-900, is capable of carrying 177 to 189 passengers. A Next-Generation fleet shares several family traits, including size and layout of the flight deck, pilot type rating, spares and maintenance procedures.
The 737s have been allowing airlines to introduce reliable, frequent service on domestic routes and short-range international flights for more than 30 years. The newest 737s allow operators to offer the same reliable service on transcontinental and medium-range international routes. Not only will passengers notice that they now have more flights between cities, but that they have jet service to new cities and can choose to take direct nonstop flights where they used to have to make a connecting flight.
The 737 - the best-selling jetliner of all time - has done more to make air travel available to more people than any other airplane. The 737s have carried the equivalent of the world's population - about 6.1 billion passengers. |
