Flight Notes– how to fly the 737–800

The Boeing 737 is the world's most popular jetliner, and the 737-800 is one of the latest and most advanced models. In service since 1967, the 737 became the best-selling commercial jetliner worldwide after twenty years when orders for it reached 1,831. After almost another twenty years, orders for this long-lived family of aircraft are approaching 6,000 with, 5,000 delivered.

The reason for the 737's great success is its design flexibility. It has always lent itself well to modifications that fit the market needs of its customers, and it has undergone a remarkable evolution over the years. The length of the original 737-100 was only eight inches more than its wingspan, giving the airplane a stubby look that led to its nickname, "Fat Albert." It could carry a maximum of 100 passengers, a suitable load at the time for Boeing's then-smallest jet airliner. Derivative models were already on the drawing board before the first 737-100 ever flew. The -200 grew in length and was fitted with progressively more powerful engines. The -300 introduced a new type of engine that made far less noise and provided better fuel economy. The -400 was a stretched version tailored for charter and business airline applications.

Since 1997, the Original (-100/-200) and Classic (-300/-400/-500) variants of the 737 have been replaced on the production line by models in the Next-Generation series (-600/-700/-800/-900). Today the latest, stretched members of the 737 family (-800/-900) can carry up to 189 passengers, so the little Boeing jet has grown up to equal the capacity of its four-engined big brother, the venerable 707.

With updated engines, wings, and avionics, the Next-Generation 737 models represent not just a stretch, but a major redesign of the original 737. Their new features-including distinctive advanced-technology winglets (which enhance fuel economy and performance during takeoff and climb-out, as well as range and payload) and a modern "glass cockpit"-carry the Boeing 737 decisively into the twenty-first century.

Specifications

	U.S.	Metric
Cruise Speed	Mach 0.785 (477 knots/550 mph)	853 km/h
Engines	Two GE CFM56-7
Maximum Range	3,060 nm	5,425 km
Service Ceiling	41,000 feet	12,497 meters
Fuel Capacity	6,875 U.S. gallons	26,020 liters
Empty Weight	90,710 pounds	41,145 kilograms
Maximum Gross Weight	174,200 pounds	79,010 kilograms
Length	129.5 feet	39.5 meters
Wingspan	112.7 feet	34.3 meters
Height	41.16 feet	12.55 meters
Seating	189