The many faces of Boeing 737

The Boeing 737 is the second most best selling aircraft of all time, after the DC-3. Needless to say, the 737 has managed to remain the most iconic and eye capturing aircraft wherever it goes, it has garnered a loyal customer base, In fact, a Boeing 737 takes off or lands every 5.5 seconds! Adding on, since 1965 when it was first produced, the 737 has carried 17 billion people!

There are 4 different versions of the 737. The 737 original, classic, NG (New generation), 737 MAX .

The 737 original included the -100 and -200 variant. It entered service in 1965 with Lufthansa being its launch customer. It also happens to be the smallest of the family.

The 737 classic.

The 737 classic included the -300,-400 and -500 variant. Production of the classic began in 1984 and went on till 2000. A whopping 2000 of 737 classics were delivered. With the classic, Boeing was able to increase the capacity and range, which helped it provide a tough competition to the MD-90 and the newly launched Airbus A320.

The 737 NG.

Boeing enjoyed monopoly in the aviation industry. But, by late 1992, it was losing market share rapidly as a new airplane maker from Toulouse, France emerged. Loyal customers like Lufthansa were placing orders for its highly advanced A320. Boeing, in an effort to grab the market share it lost, launched the 737 NG. It included the -600,-700,-800,-900,-700ER and -900ER. (ER stands for extended range). The aircraft featured changes like a different wing structure, an all electronic flight instrument displays, greater fuel capacity and a higher range. They have been in production since 1997 and 7000+ have been delivered.

Boeing 737 MAX

You either love it or hate it. This has been one of the most controversial planes in history and because of a design flaw by Boeing (which will be discussed later), was grounded for 2 years following the deadly crashes of Lion Air JT610 and Ethiopian Airlines 302. The MAX family consists of -7,-8,-9 and -10 series. Development of the 737 MAX was confirmed by Boeing in August 2011, after Airbus introduced the A320 neo in December a year before. The series is popular, although not as much as its rival, the A320 neo. The 737 MAX has received 5,011 firm orders, whereas the A320 neo has been wildly popular with 7,895 orders by more than 100 airlines.

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