Boeing 737

The Boeing 737 is a twin-engine aeroplane designed to operate over short to medium ranges, and manufactured by the Boeing Corporation. Whilst the first prototype 737-100 flew on 9th April 1967, today there are around 22 variants in the series. The 737-100 is the basic short body version of the 737 family, which is 94 ft long from nose to tail, and a wingspan of 93 ft. It accommodates 85 seats consisting of 12 first class seats and 73 economy class seats. The 100 series is extremely difficult to buy because very few owners are willing to part with them. Consequently, you will not find many for sale, and if you do, they will cost almost the same as the later series. In 2014, the unit cost price of a 737-800 was approximately US$93.3 million.

As one of the smallest jet planes, the 100 series can take-off and land from almost any type of runway less than 6,000 ft (1,830 m) in length, which makes them indispensible for a wide range of applications. An optional gravel runway kit, which includes protection deflectors for the nose and main gears, enables the plane to operate from almost any runway condition. The 737 family can receive power through an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), which can provide electrical power to the plane whilst it is on the ground or in flight. It can also receive fuel either by a pressure fuelling system or over wing gravity fuelling.

Series and Variants

• 737-100
• 737-200
• 737-100 Advanced
• 737-200C
• 737-200C Advanced
• 737-200 Executive

Classics

• 737-300
• 737-300 Winglet Version
• 737-400
• 737-500

Next-Generation (NG)

• 737-600
• 737-700
• 737-800
• 737-900
• 737-900ER

The next generation (NG) versions are available with or without winglets.

Boeing Business Jet (BBJ)

• 737 BBJ
• 737 BBJ2
• 737 BBJ3
• 737 BBJ4

Unit Cost Price

In 2014, the unit cost of a Boeing 747 is approximately the following in US dollars.

• 737-700 Price $78.30 million
• 737-800 Price $93.30 million
• 737-900ER Price $99.00 million

These planes are for sale and purchased from Boeing.

Winglets

Winglets are an upward-swept extension to the wing tips, in a similar manner to the American Bald Eagle. Winglets increase the range of the plane, allowing a greater payload, and better fuel efficiency. They also reduce a form of drag known as induced drag, and consequently have the effect of increasing lift at the tips. Blended winglets are included on the next generation (NG) of planes; however, Boeing retrofits them to older planes as well.

Boeing 737 Zero Fuel Weight

The zero fuel weight, also known as Maximum Design Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW), is the maximum weight allowed before fuel must be loaded.

Payload = Zero Fuel Weight – Operational Empty Weight

Zero Fuel Weight = Payload + Operational Empty Weight

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