Boeing 737

Boeing 737
A Boeing 737-200, the first mass-produced 737 model, in operation with South African Airlink in 2007
Role	Narrow-body airliner Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Boeing
First flight	April 9, 1967; 57 years ago (1967-04-09)
Introduction	February 10, 1968, with Lufthansa
Retired	2004 (737-100)[citation needed]
Status	In production
Primary users	Southwest Airlines Ryanair United Airlines American Airlines
Produced	1966 (1966)–present
Number built	11,727 as of March 2024[update][1]
Variants	Boeing T-43
Developed into	Boeing 737 Classic Boeing 737 Next Generation Boeing 737 MAX

The Boeing 737 is a narrow-body aircraft produced by Boeing at its Renton factory in Washington. Developed to supplement the Boeing 727 on short and thin routes, the twinjet retained the 707 fuselage width and six abreast seating but with two underwing turbofans instead of four. Envisioned in 1964, the initial 737-100 made its first flight in April 1967 and entered service in February 1968 with Lufthansa. The lengthened 737-200 entered service in April 1968, and evolved through four generations, offering several variants for 85 to 215 passengers.

The 737-100/200 original variants were powered by Pratt & Whitney JT8D low-bypass turbofan engines and offered seating for 85 to 130 passengers. Launched in 1980 and introduced in 1984, the 737 Classic -300/400/500 variants were upgraded with more fuel-efficient CFM56-3 high-bypass turbofans and offered 110 to 168 seats. Introduced in 1997, the 737 Next Generation (NG) -600/700/800/900 variants have updated CFM56-7 high-bypass turbofans, a larger wing and an upgraded glass cockpit, and seat 108 to 215 passengers. The latest generation, the 737 MAX -7/8/9/10 variants, powered by improved CFM LEAP-1B high-bypass turbofans and accommodating 138 to 204 people, entered service in 2017. Boeing Business Jet versions have been produced since the 737NG, as well as military models.

As of March 2024^[update], 16,555 Boeing 737s have been ordered and 11,727 delivered. Initially, its main competitor was the McDonnell Douglas DC-9, followed by its MD-80/MD-90 derivatives. In 2013, the global 737 fleet had completed more than 184 million flights over 264 million block hours since its entry into service. It was the highest-selling commercial aircraft until being surpassed by the competing Airbus A320 family in October 2019, but maintains the record in total deliveries. The 737 MAX, designed to compete with the A320neo, was grounded worldwide between March 2019 and November 2020 following two fatal crashes. A further accident involving an uncontrolled decompression led to the grounding of most 737 MAX 9 aircraft in January 2024.