About the Boeing 737-700
Boeing launched the Next-Generation 737 program in 1993, and the 737-700 was the first of the new models to take shape. Southwest Airlines ordered 63 aircraft in November 1993 and became the launch customer. The first 737-700 flew on February 9, 1997, and Boeing delivered the first aircraft to Southwest on December 17, 1997. At the time of the first flight, Boeing reported orders for 523 Next-Generation 737s from 24 airlines. Boeing positioned the 737-700 as the same size as the earlier 737-300 but with more range.
Boeing lists two CFM56-7B turbofans, a maximum takeoff weight of 70,080 kg (154,500 lb) and a range of up to 2,900 nautical miles (5,370 km).
The aircraft is also the basis for the Boeing Business Jet. The FAA designator list places the 737-700 BBJ and C-40 Clipper under B737, illustrating why a type code alone does not establish that an aircraft is operating a passenger airline service.
Seating capacity and cabin layout
Boeing publishes two seating figures for the 737-700, and the count on any individual aircraft depends on the operator's layout.
- Typical two-class configuration: 125 to 145 seats.
- Maximum passengers: 149.
At the time of the first flight, Boeing quoted 128 to 149 seats for the model. Boeing lists a maximum of 189 for the 737-800 and 220 for the longer 737-900 family in its current comparison table, which puts the 737-700 at the smaller end of the Next-Generation range. For the 737-700ER, Boeing described a flexible cabin, from a 48-seat all-business layout to a 126-seat arrangement.
How to recognize a Boeing 737-700
Boeing lists the same 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in) wingspan and 12.5 m (41 ft 2 in) height for the 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900, so fuselage length is the main visual difference among the three. Boeing gives the 737-700's length as 33.6 meters.
- Twin CFM56-7B engines, the powerplant Boeing lists for the whole Next-Generation line.
- Blended winglets were an option on the 737-700ER. A wingtip modification and the aircraft's tracking type are different pieces of information.
- The 737-700 is close in size to the older 737-300, so the two are easy to mix up from a distance.
Because the BBJ and C-40 use the same code, a B737 record does not by itself establish that an aircraft is an airline passenger 737-700.
Variants and related aircraft
The 737-700 also led to extended-range and specialised derivatives. The 737-700ER, an extended-range version derived from the Boeing Business Jet, rolled out of Renton on January 2, 2007 and was delivered to launch customer ANA on February 16, 2007. The 737-700ER can carry as many as nine extra fuel tanks, and blended winglets were offered as an option; Boeing quoted a range of 5,510 nautical miles, about 2,145 nautical miles more than the standard 737-700. The FAA designator list also places the 737-700 BBJ and the C-40 Clipper under B737.
The 737-600 has its own code, B736, and other 737 models are likewise listed separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is B737 the code for the whole Boeing 737 family?
No. In the FAA designator order, B737 stands for the Boeing 737-700, the 737-700 BBJ and the C-40 Clipper. Other models have their own codes, such as B736 for the 737-600.
How many passengers does a Boeing 737-700 carry?
Boeing lists 125 to 145 seats in a typical two-class cabin and a maximum of 149 passengers. Each airline chooses its own layout.
When did the Boeing 737-700 first fly?
The first 737-700 flew on February 9, 1997. Southwest Airlines was the launch customer and received its first aircraft on December 17, 1997.
Sources
- faa.gov — appendix_3.html
- boeing.com — 737ng
- boeing.mediaroom.com — 1997 02 09 Boeing Next Generation 737 Takes to the Skies
- boeing.mediaroom.com — 1997 12 17 First Boeing 737 700 Goes to Southwest Airlines
- boeing.mediaroom.com — 2007 01 04 First Boeing Next Generation 737 700ER Rolls Out of Factory
- boeing.mediaroom.com — 2007 02 16 Boeing Delivers First 737 700ER to Launch Customer ANA
Aircraft information reviewed on . Airline configurations can change.