Boeing 737 Original

The Boeing 737 Original refers to the first generation of the Boeing 737 family, consisting of the 737-100 and 737-200 variants. Introduced in the late 1960s, the original Boeing 737 laid the foundation for what would become the world’s most successful commercial jet aircraft series.

Boeing 737 Original

What Is the Boeing 737 Original?

The Boeing 737 Original is the first generation of the narrow-body Boeing 737 aircraft. Designed for short- to medium-haul routes, it was developed to compete with aircraft such as the Douglas DC-9 and BAC One-Eleven.

Key characteristics of the B737 Original include:

Low ground clearance

Rear-mounted airstairs

Simple, rugged design for quick turnarounds

Operation from smaller airports

Boeing 737 Original History

Launch Year: 1965

First Flight: April 9, 1967

Entry into Service: February 1968 (Lufthansa)

Production Period: 1967–1988

The Boeing 737 was designed as a smaller companion to the Boeing 707 and 727, sharing cockpit commonality to reduce pilot training costs.

Boeing 737 Original Variants

Boeing 737-100

First variant produced

Shorter fuselage

Limited sales (only 30 built)

Primary launch customer: Lufthansa

Boeing 737-200

Stretched version of the 737-100

Improved payload and range

Became the most successful Original 737 variant

Widely used by airlines worldwide

Boeing 737 Original Specifications

General Characteristics

Aircraft Type: Narrow-body jet airliner

Crew: 2 pilots + flight engineer (early models)

Dimensions

Length:

737-100: 28.7 m (94 ft 2 in)

737-200: 30.5 m (100 ft 2 in)

Wingspan: 28.4 m (93 ft 4 in)

Height: 11.3 m (37 ft)

Passenger Capacity

Typical Seating: 85–110 passengers

Maximum Seating: Up to 130 passengers

Engines and Performance

Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney JT8D low-bypass turbofans

Cruise Speed: Mach 0.74

Range: ~3,500 km (1,900 nautical miles)

Service Ceiling: 37,000 ft

The JT8D engines provided strong thrust and reliability, though they were noisier and less fuel-efficient than modern turbofans.

Cabin and Interior Features

The Boeing 737 Original featured:

3-3 seating configuration

Integrated rear airstairs for independent boarding

Simple cabin layout optimized for short flights

High dispatch reliability

Its low fuselage allowed easier access for ground crews and faster turnaround times.

Airlines That Operated the Boeing 737 Original

Major airlines that operated the B737 Original include:

Lufthansa

United Airlines

American Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Air India

Many aircraft later found second lives with charter, cargo, and military operators.

Advantages of the Boeing 737 Original

Pros

Rugged and reliable design

Excellent short-haul performance

Easy maintenance and servicing

Operated from smaller airports

Cons

Higher noise levels

Less fuel-efficient than newer 737 variants

Outdated avionics by modern standards

Legacy of the Boeing 737 Original

The Boeing 737 Original is the cornerstone of the entire 737 family, influencing every later variant from the 737 Classic to the 737 MAX. Its design philosophy—simplicity, reliability, and versatility—remains at the heart of Boeing’s narrow-body strategy.

Although no longer in mainstream passenger service, the aircraft’s impact on global aviation is undeniable.

Conclusion

The B737 Original (737-100 and 737-200) represents one of the most important milestones in commercial aviation history. It introduced a flexible, efficient narrow-body platform that would evolve into the most widely used jetliner family in the world.

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