by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 10/05/2017 at 12:35
by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 10/05/2017 at 12:35
Tags: wingspan
; Planelopnik
STARS: 13
In 1964, Boeing began development of the twin-engine 737 as a smaller, more economical alternative to the four-engine 707 and the 727 trijet. The first 737 took its maiden flight on April 9, 1967, starting a remarkable journey that has seen the 737 become the best-selling and most-produced airliner in history. Here are a few interesting facts about Boeing’s most popular airliner from a snapshot taken in 2013:
The 737 was the first airliner to surpass 10,000 orders and, if you stacked those 10,000 airliners on top of each other, the pile would be 77 miles tall. That’s the same as 280 Empire State Buildings or 382 Eiffel Towers. Those 10,000 737s could carry 1.5 million passengers.
As of August 3 of this year, 14,086 737s have been ordered, and 4,427 await delivery. Boeing’s closest competitor, Airbus, has received 12,411 orders for its A320 family of airliners, with roughly half of those in service. The rest await delivery.
On average, there are 2,000 737s in the air at any one time, with about 24,000 scheduled flights per day. That equates to one 737 landing or taking off somewhere in the world every two seconds.
All told, 737s have racked up more than 119 billion flying miles, or about 640 trips to the Sun and back. 737s have also carried more than 16.8 billion passengers, which is equivalent to every man, woman and child in the world taking two flights.
The 737 comes in four basic variants:
Original Series (737-100 and -200): accommodations for up to 136 passengers and powered by Pratt & Whitney JT8D low-bypass turbofans
Classic Series (737-300, -400 and -500): accommodations for up to 168 passengers and powered by CFM International CFM56-3 series high-bypass turbofans
Next Generation (737-600, -700, -800 and -900): accommodations for up to 215 passengers and powered by CFM International CFM56-7 series high-bypass turbofans and fitted with winglets to increase range
737 MAX (737 MAX 7, 8, 9 and 10): accommodations for up to 220 passengers and powered by CFM International LEAP high-bypass turbofans and fitted with split or “scimitar” winglets
The 737 has come a long way since its humble beginnings 50 years ago, and the type has been constantly upgraded and stretched throughout its history. The latest version, the 737 MAX, took its maiden flight on January 29, 2016. Though competition from Airbus is fierce, the 737 is certain to continue amassing more records in the years to come.
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If you enjoyed this post, please join in the conversation and let me know. For more posts about aviation history and aircraft oddities, head over to
Wingspan
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"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
10/05/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 5
Ah, the Classic Series; the 737 you know you have to invite to family reunions, but you hope they don’t come.
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
10/05/2017 at 12:52, STARS: 1
I was just talking about the 737 with a friend, her dad is a 737 captain for United (formerly Continental).
"user314" (user314)
10/05/2017 at 13:07, STARS: 0
if you stacked those 10,000 airliners on top of each other, the pile would be 77 miles tall.
I wonder how much aluminum that represents, both in total and as a percentage of all the aluminum we’ve produced in the same time frame.
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
10/05/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 5
*wears glasses*
*takes out math textbook*
*flips to page 540*
*begins calculations on chalkboard*
*steps back and stares at work*
*clears throat*
A fuckton.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/05/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 1
News release:
Boeing announced today a new variant of its venerable 737 airliner being developed in unprecedented partnership with American Airlines. Citing the success of rival Southwest Airlines in running a fleet composed exclusively of 737s, American announced its intention to convert its entire fleet to Boeing’s proven airframe over the next two decades.
The new 737 UltraMAX extends American’s commitment to efficiency in maximizing passenger capacity. Instead of seating passengers in coach cabins designed with ever-decreasing legroom, the UltraMAX will transport its guests in a standing position, allowing the plane to fit up to twice the number of ticketed customers carried by the current 737 MAX. In lieu of actual leg space, which can disappear right after take off when the person in front reclines his seat all the way back, each cubby will be provided with state of the art virtual reality goggles that transport the coach traveler into a wide open realm of copious space bigger than any current first class cabin. This next gen VR system will feature wireless connection to any Android or Apple mobile device, allowing passengers to access all of their content without the inconvenience of folding down rickety tray tables. A full menu of the latest video releases will also be offered through the system.
In another American first, on-demand refreshments will be offered through a NASA-inspired system fitted to each cubby. Passengers will no longer have to wait their turn while a flight attendant pushes a cart down the aisle to bring their drink orders. Instead, each customer can select from a digital menu of available beverages that will piped immediately to them through a drink tube. A selection of fine wines and mixed drinks will also be available via electronic purchase though any mobile device, and American is currently in negotiations to bring Apple Pay to the system. The new tube system will remove the need for space-sapping storage in the galley and will allow for increased passenger capacity. NASA is said to be considering installation of a variant of this system that only dispenses Tang on their astronaut transport planes.
Said the joint Boeing/American press release, “We are proud to be the first to usher in the next generation of customized flying experience to our passengers. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, our customers will be able to experience the thrills that only astronauts on the International Space Station could previously enjoy, but now for the low cost of a coach fare.
Fare structures for the new planes were not announced at the time of this release.
"user314" (user314)
10/05/2017 at 13:43, STARS: 0
Is that a metric fuckton, or imperial?
"Rock Bottom" (rockbottom81)
10/05/2017 at 13:53, STARS: 2
Fun Facts: The 737 and 727 have the same external fuselage cross sections. Hell, the sheet metal and cockpit windows for the 737 design were lifted straight from the 727. Their windows are interchangeable, with the exception of the little ones right over the flight crew’s heads on the 727 and very early 737. Also, later (or maybe all?) 737s have more structural ribs than 727s. I’m not sure why, but maybe it’s to increase the number of cycles they can support?
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/05/2017 at 14:05, STARS: 0
I wonder if it has anything to do with the placement of the wing spar. The 737 was essentially a “square” airplane, with a length very similar to its wingspan. So the wing was pretty much centered on the fuselage. The wing on the 727 was farther aft But that’s nothing more than a guess, and I’m no structural engineer.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/05/2017 at 14:08, STARS: 0
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/05/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 1
Imperial, since these were built in the US.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/05/2017 at 14:14, STARS: 3
You didn’t like that? Oh well, as least it’s out of my system. I blame Ash78 for the inspiration.
"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen)
10/05/2017 at 14:16, STARS: 0
As of August 3 of this year, 14,086 737s have been ordered, and 4,427 await delivery. Boeing’s closest competitor, Airbus, has received 12,411 orders for its A320 family of airliners, with roughly half of those in service. The rest await delivery.
That seems crazy! Do these orders go pretty far out into the future then?
"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
10/05/2017 at 14:21, STARS: 1
You mention the drink dispersing system and I envision each plane replacing the galley with a single oversized Coca Cola freestyle machine. Naturally, the airline will keep the Coke logos but replace the syrups with knock-offs from Sams Choice colas.
If they offer a good quality iced tea will I be charged extra if they catch me using the fill tube to fill a camelback to get me through my next 6 hour layover in Newark?
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/05/2017 at 14:30, STARS: 0
They do, but I don’t know how far. I can only find info for completed deliveries through August of this year. I can’t find future delivery dates. However, a 2014 Boeing press release said that they are going to increase production to 52 737s/month in 2018.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/05/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 1
You wrote that? I’m impressed.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/05/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 1
That was exactly what I envisioned, although whether it dispenses Coke or Pepsi products depends on licensing deals, of course.
I suspect a volume regulator might need to be installed for people like you. Otherwise, such practices might result in congestion in waiting for use of the on-board restrooms. It’s a safety issue, you understand.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/05/2017 at 14:42, STARS: 1
Of course! I’m no plagiarist. :)
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
10/05/2017 at 14:42, STARS: 0
Your top photo is labeled as a classic but I’m pretty certain that’s a 700. No eyebrow windows. Southwest has a few painted in that scheme.
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
10/05/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 1
I tried to find an answer to this and I couldn’t quickly. I’ll keep looking, but I initially expected the percentage to be quite low because of aluminum cans.
However apparently aluminum cans are on average 70% recycled aluminum, and 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use.
"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
10/05/2017 at 15:05, STARS: 2
You don’t think restrooms would be replaced with rentable colostomy bags? That would yield easily 6 extra standing spots per flight.
Alternatively, let the passenger drink as much as they want but switch to pay toilets.
"Rock Bottom" (rockbottom81)
10/05/2017 at 15:55, STARS: 1
Nah, the wing is always placed so that the total aircraft center of gravity is at about 1/4 chord. The 727 wing is further back because the weight of the engines is behind it. When they hung the engines under the wings, they moved them forward.
I’m guessing the added structure is purely a product life cycle thing. Make it stronger, and you can cycle the structure more times before the airframe “ages out”. That, or maybe the FAA regs were stricter when the later plane was developed. They get tighter every year, and you have to design to the rule book as it was when you announced the program to the government. Or maybe the customers were asking for a hardier plane for 3rd world service?
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/05/2017 at 15:55, STARS: 0
That’s my photo, and though I took it a long time ago, I’m pretty sure I made a note of the registration at the time and looked it up. It’s also got “Classic” painted on the nose. I’ll go back and see if I’ve got a shot that shows the registration.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/05/2017 at 16:04, STARS: 1
I suspect they might, but I decided that was a too depressing to think about. So, I avoided it.
You should consider applying for a job with them.
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
10/05/2017 at 16:25, STARS: 0
The “Classic” painted on the nose is unique to these tribute schemes, I don’t think it was ever painted on an actual 737 Classic
"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
10/05/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 2
Coming up with torturous ideas for airline passengers to maximize airline profits is how I earned extra credit to pass my FAA A&P mechanics exams.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/05/2017 at 16:34, STARS: 0
You’re a natural.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/05/2017 at 16:36, STARS: 1
Nice work, but if AA or UA picks up on this you’re in trouble
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/05/2017 at 16:39, STARS: 1
I tend to think it’s the life cycle option, though it’s an educated guess. The 727 was specifically designed to be able to deal with rough runways (engines high up to reduce FOD, lots of slats, etc to reduce takeoff roll/landing speed etc.), and the 737 wasn’t.
I think at some point, they realized the 737s could have a long life and beefed it up?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/05/2017 at 16:45, STARS: 0
Thanks, but I doubt they need my help. This is just the natural extension of American’s current policy with new planes. I’m not usually claustrophobic, but I’m gonna have to start packing some Dramamine to get through my flights if it gets much worse.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/05/2017 at 16:52, STARS: 0
I tossed all of the photos that I didn’t think were worth keeping, so I don’t have an entire registration. However, I think you are right, it’s a 700NG, and I have edited accordingly. Thanks for noticing. I don’t like making mistakes like that!
"Liam Farrell" (ackrunner)
10/05/2017 at 22:48, STARS: 0
So only the MAX has been fitted with the extra fancy winglets?
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/06/2017 at 09:23, STARS: 0
I don’t know for sure. The scimitar winglets are relatively new, but I think they can also retrofit winglets on older planes. But don’t quote me on that.
"Rock Bottom" (rockbottom81)
10/06/2017 at 12:46, STARS: 0
I agree with your logic.