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Flashback Fridays: Factoids About 737s

blusk
Aviator C

Even a casual reader of Flashback Fridays will know that the Boeing 737 features prominently in many of these posts.  I thought we would take a moment to look at a few pages from the 737 history book this week.  For instance, how many of you know which airline was the first to operate the “baby Boeing?”  United would be a good guess, and some of you probably said Southwest, but the 737 was already an airline veteran, having entered service three years before our first flight.  Actually, the German carrier Lufthansa was the first to operate the 737, and the first variant was the short-bodied 737-100.  On February 10, 1968, Lufthansa became the first international airline to introduce a Boeing jet, and only 30 737-100s were completed.  I was fortunate to fly on a 737-159 being used by Air Cal in 1981.  This aircraft, N472GB, was one of the five -100s built for operators other than Lufthansa, and it was flown by Avianca, the Luftwaffe, and Aloha, before arriving at Air Cal.

 

United was the first to operate the widely used 737-200, and the first -200 went into service on April 28, 1968.  Another interesting fact about the early operation of the 737 was that the United aircraft initially operated with three-pilot cockpits, a Captain, First Officer, and Second Officer/Flight Engineer, even though it and the rival DC-9 were designed for two-pilot operation.  Southwest’s first 737s were 737-200s.  The photo above is from our last 737-200 flight on January 17, 2005.  The 737-100 and 737-200 are considered to be the “Original” generation of 737s.

Once Southwest became established as a major 737 operator, we began to take the lead in the the 737s future life.  We were the first airline to operate the new 737-300 and 737-500 variants.  The photo above shows the first -300 to operate in airline service, N300SW, and yes, that is Chuck Yeager.  The 737-300, 737-400 (not operated by Southwest), and the 737-500 comprise the “Classic” generation of 737s.

Boeing continued to upgrade the airframe, and the Next Generation, or NG family, was born in the 1990s.  Once again, we were the first to operate a new 737 variant and the first to operate the initial NG family in early 1998 with the introduction of the 737-700.  The NG family includes the 737-600, 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900.  Boeing’s 737 is well on the way to overtaking the DC-3/C-47 as the most numerous airliner ever built.  On February 13, 2006, we were part of a huge milestone for the 737 family when we accepted the delivery of the 5,000th 737 to be constructed (above).

The day after the big gala, N230WN was made ready for its delivery flight.  One of the highlights of picking up any new airplane at the factory is the signing ceremony, and above, we see all the folks gathered around for the big event. 

N230WN carries a special plaque proclaiming its place in aviation history.

Another time-honored tradition of delivery flights is the salute by the Boeing folks and our own Employees at Boeing Field as the first flight leaves the ramp area.

13 Comments
Willie1
Explorer C
What a great Flashback on the 737's history. Thanks for sharing.
Donald_Shade
Explorer C
Great Article. I really enjoyed the read.
adrian
Explorer C
I remember a couple months ago in september I flew in that plane "5000" 737 from Phoenix to Seatac. I remember cause she had "5000" painted on the front of her. And the flight was smooth as silk that day. Keep up the good work you guys! Thanks Southwest for the great fares, and thank you Boeing for the great reliable jets!!!!
jamescameron1
Explorer C
The 737 is the greatest aircraft in history. Can't wait for SWA to take delivery of some 738s!
Anonymous2757
Explorer C
What has happened to the very first plane that Southwest flew?
david_flynn
Explorer C
My love affair with this aircraft predates SWA. I flew the inauguarl flight of the 737 from Bogota, Colombia to Cartagena with my father. We flew up in the morning, had lunch, went to a bull fight, and flew back on the same plane in the evening.
Carlos_S_Zerino
Explorer C
These articles make my day, thanks for sharing! Experiencing the hospitality and professionality of Southwest's people is what inspired me to go to Embry Riddle to make that leap from being a little kid glued to the leading edge window to the man behind the controls, and I will make it there someday. 737 is King!
ken-thompson
Explorer C
I was honored to take part in an historic delivery about thirty years ago when Southwest took delivery of three new 737s on the same day. I believe that was in the Spring of 1979. Boeing really treated us like VIPs with a private tour of the plant, a party, and a very well stocked aircraft for the ferry flight back to Dallas - which was a party itself! Great fun. Great memories. Ken Thompson Emp # 1416 Retired Ground Ops
makatak
Explorer C
My corporate travel profile has this warning from me: "If it ain't Boeing, I ain't going."
ken-thompson
Explorer C
I was privileged to take part in a historic event involving Southwest 737s. In the Spring of 1979 (maybe 1980?) a group of employees went to Seattle to celebrate the delivery of three new 737s on the same day. A first for Boeing. Boeing treated us all as VIPs with a private tour of the plant and a party. On departure day they stocked the plane with all kinds of food and liquid goodies so it was an airborne party on the ferry flight to DAL. Great fun and Great memories. Ken Thompson Emp # 1416 Retired Ground Ops
Anonymous1738
Explorer B
The 737-700 is 110' and the 737-800 is 130' long. That is a big gap. In my mind, the ideal update would be a 120' model with 149 seats that all reclined, plus extra onboard baggage storage closets. Is there a way to put bigger engine fans on the 737 for better efficiency?
Dan_Web
Explorer B
Thank you for this, Brian - I always learn something new from your posts!
Erik1
Explorer C
Some (all?) of the Lufthansa 737-100s migrated over to PeoplExpress, so many more passengers in the USA got to ride in these first 737s than you posted. I'm not sure if they stayed in service after the PE merger with CO.