Boeing Commercial Airplanes recently delivered the 8,000th of its best-selling jet, the 737, produced and supplied to United Airlines. United had been the buyer of the first 737, ordered in 1965, and has ordered more than 550 jets in the series since then.
The 737 has been in continuous production by Boeing since 1967, with a reported 7,865 aircraft produces and 3,680 on order as of December 2013
"We're thrilled to celebrate this huge achievement with Boeing," stated United Airlines’ Ron Baur, vice president of fleet, United Airlines. "The 737 has been an integral part of our narrow-body fleet and we are pleased to continue this tradition by being the North American launch customer for the new 737 MAX 9."
The 737 is a short- to medium-range twin-jet aircraft that Boeing developed in the 1960s as a smaller version of the 707 and 727. There have been nine models since then, and it is the only narrow-body jet now in production for Boeing.
Boeing ‘s current order log totals 3,700 airplanes, including 1,934 orders for the new 737 MAX, which will debut in 2017.
According to Boeing, the 737 MAX will have improved fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by 14%, compared to the current 737 Next-Generation, which it will replace. The OEM also claims the new jets will reduce the jets’ “noise footprint” by 40%.
"The 737 program continues to innovate with new features and technology, meeting the needs of our customers now and into the future," said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager, 737 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Boeing has a long and treasured history with United Airlines, and we're proud they're taking delivery of this milestone airplane."
