Boeing 737-400 Specification Data and History

History

Boeing announced it was developing a new higher capacity version of the fast selling 737-300 in June 1986.
The new aeroplane, the 737-400, was developed as a 150 seat class 727 replacement. Although Boeing had initially developed the 180 to 200 seat 757 to replace the successful 727, there still existed a considerable market for a near direct size replacement for the popular trijet. By developing the 737-400 as a minimum change stretch of the 737-300, Boeing was also able to offer considerable commonality, and thus cost, benefits to operators already with the 737-300, and to a lesser extent, the 737-200 in their fleets. 

The major change of the 737-400 over the smaller 300 is a 3.05m (10ft 0in) fuselage stretch, consisting of a 1.83m (6ft 0in) stretch forward and a 1.22m (4ft 0in) plug rear of the wing. The stretch increases maximum passenger seating to 188. To cope with the increased weights, more powerful CFM56s are fitted. Other changes are minor, such as a tail bumper fitted to protect against over rotation at takeoff, something that could have become a problem due to the increased fuselage length. 

A higher gross weight longer range version is offered. It features increased fuel capacity, and strengthened undercarriage and structures, but is otherwise identical to the standard 737-400. 

The first flight of the 737-400 occurred on February 19 1988 and it entered airline service in October that year with Piedmont. Of the 737-300/-400/-500 family the 400 has proven the most successful member behind the 300, its larger capacity and transcontinental US range meaning it has found a very useful market for Boeing as a 727 replacement. However the 737-400 does face stiff competition from the similar size Airbus A320, which has higher levels of technology, longer range and is faster (but is also heavier).

Production

Orders for the 737-400 stood at 473 at late 1998, of which approximately 470 were in airline service.

Capacity

Flightcrew of two. Typical two class seating for 146 (eight premium, 138 economy), typical all economy for 159 at 81cm (32in) pitch, or max seating for 188.

Dimensions

Wing span 28.88m (94ft 9in), length 36.45m (119ft 7in), height 11.13m (36ft 6in). Wing area 105.4m2 (1135sq ft).

Weights

Standard version operating empty 34,564kg (76,200lb), max takeoff 62,820kg (138,500lb). High gross weight operating empty 34,827kg (76,780lb), max takeoff 68,040kg (150,000lb).

Performance

Max cruising speed 912km/h (492kt), long range cruising speed 813km/h (439kt). Standard version range with max payload 4005km (2160nm), typical range with 146 passengers 3630km (1960nm). High gross weight option range with 146 passengers 3850km (2080nm).

Power Plants

Two 97.9kN (22,000lb) CFM International CFM563B2 turbofans, or optionally 104.5kN (23,500lb) CFM563C1s.

Boeing 737-300 Specification Data and History

History

The 737-300 is the first of the three member second generation CFM56 powered 737 family, which also comprises the stretched 737-400 and shortened 737-500. The success of the second generation Boeing 737 family pushed sales of the mark to over 3000, a record for a commercial jetliner. 

Boeing announced it was developing the 737-300 in March 1981. This new variant started off as a simple stretch over the 737-200 but Boeing decided to adopt the CFM International CFM56 high bypass turbofan (jointly developed by General Electric and SNECMA) to reduce fuel consumption and comply with the then proposed International Civil Aviation Organisation Stage 3 noise limits. 

Despite the all new engines and the 2.64m (104in) fuselage stretch, the 737-300 retains 80% airframe spares commonality and shares the same ground handling equipment with the 737-200. A number of aerodynamic improvements were incorporated to further improve efficiency including modified leading edge slats and a new dorsal fin extending from the tail. Another feature was the flattened, oval shaped engine nacelles, while the nosewheel leg was extended to increase ground clearance for the new engines. Other internal changes include materials and systems improvements first developed for the 757 and 767 programs, including an early generation EFIS flightdeck (with four colour CRT screens). 

The 737-300 flew for the first time on February 24 1984, while first deliveries were from November 1984. Since that time well over 1000 737-300s have been sold and it forms the backbone of many airlines' short haul fleets.
The stretched 737-400 and shortened 737-500 are described separately.

Production

Grand total 737 orders stand at over 4236, of which over 1104 are for the 300. Approximately 1070 737-300s were in service at late 1998.

Capacity

Flightcrew of two. Typical two class seating for 128 (eight premium class four abreast and 120 economy class six abreast), standard one class seating for 141 at six abreast and 81cm (31in) pitch, max seating for 149 at 76cm (30in) pitch.

Dimensions

Wing span 28.88m (94ft 9in), length 33.40m (109ft 7in), height 11.13m (36ft 6in). Wing area 105.4m2 (1135sq ft).

Weights

Operating empty 32,881kg (72,490lb), standard max takeoff 56,740kg (124,500lb), high gross weight option 62,823kg (138,500lb).

Performance

Max cruising speed 908km/h (491kt), long range cruising speed 794km/h (429kt). Range with 128 passengers and standard fuel 3362km (1815nm), range with 128 pax and max fuel 4973km (2685nm). High gross weight version max range 6300km (3400nm) with 140 passengers.

Power Plants

Two 89.0kN (20,000lb) CFM International CFM563B1 turbofans, or optionally two 97.9kN (22,000lb) CFM563B2s.

Boeing 737-200 Specification Data and History

History

The 737-100 and 200 are the first generation production models of the world's most successful jet airliner family, Boeing's 737 twinjet. 

The 737 was conceived as a short range small capacity airliner to round out the Boeing jet airliner family beneath the 727, 720 and 707. Announced in February 1965, the 737 was originally envisioned as a 60 to 85 seater, although following consultation with launch customer Lufthansa, a 100 seat design was settled upon. Design features included two underwing mounted turbofans and 60% structural and systems commonality with the 727, including the same fuselage cross section (making it wider than the competing five abreast DC-9 and BAC-111).
The 737-100 made its first flight on April 9 1967 and entered service in February 1968 with Lufthansa, while the last of 30 built was delivered to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines in October 1969. 

By this time however the larger capacity 1.93m (6ft 4in) stretched 737-200 was in service after it had made its first flight on August 8 1967. First delivery, to United, was that December. 

Developments of the -200 include the -200C convertible and quick change -200QC, while an unprepared airfield kit was also offered. The definitive Advanced 737-200 appeared in 1971, featuring minor aerodynamic refinements and other improvements. 

Sales of the 737-200 far exceeded that of the shorter -100 and the 737-200 remained in production until 1988, by which time it had been superseded by the improved 737-300, after 1114 had been built. Many have been fitted with Stage 3 engine hushkits, and a number of passenger aircraft have been converted with cargo doors. 

The USAF ordered 19 as navigation trainers, and some were later converted to standard transport aircraft as CT-43A. A few other air forces received 737-200s to serve in general transport, surveillance or VIP transport tasks.

Production

1144 737-100s and 200s built, comprising 30 100s and 1114 200s, including 19 T-43A (737-200) navigation trainers for the USAF and 104 737-200Cs. Approximately 1 737-100 and 550 737-200s remained in commercial and corporate service in early 2005.

Capacity

Flightcrew of two.
737-100 - Typical single class seating for 100.
737-200 - Typical single class seating for 115, max seating for 130 at 74cm (29in) pitch.
737-200C/QC payload 15,545kg (34,270lb), consisting of pallets or containers.

Dimensions

737-100 - Wing span 28.35m (93ft 0in), length 28.67m (94ft 0in), height 11.29m (37ft 0in). Wing area 91.1m2 (980sq ft).
737-200 - Same except for length 30.53m (100ft 2in).

Weights

737-100 - Empty 25,878kg (57,000lb), max takeoff 49,940kg (110,000lb).
737-200 - Operating empty 27,448kg (60,600lb), max takeoff 52,390kg (115,500lb), or optionally 58,740kg (129,500lb).

Performance

737-100 - Max speed 943km/h (509kt), economical cruising speed 852km/h (460kt). Range with max fuel 2855km (1540nm).
737-200 - Max speed 943km/h (509kt), max cruising speed 927km/h (500kt), economical cruising speed 796km/h (430kt). Range with 115 passengers and reserves between 3520km (1900nm) and 4260km (2300nm) depending on weight options and engines.

Power Plants

737-100 - Two 62.3kN (14,000lb) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7 turbofans.
737-200 - Two 64.5kN (14,500lb) JT8D-9As, or two 68.9kN (15,500lb) JT8D-15s, or two 71.2kN (16,000lb) JT8D-17s, or two 77.4kN (17,400lb) JT8D-17Rs with automatic reverse thrust.