Short Documentary: The History Of The Boeing 737

The Boeing 737 has been one of the most successful aircraft of all time. As of mid-2020, it remains the most delivered aircraft to date but has been overtaken by the Airbus A320 for orders. First flying in 1967, it has evolved through several variants, each time improving and updating its offering.
Let’s take a look at the history of this long-serving aircraft and examine what kind of future it might have.
Article link: simpleflying.com/boeing-737/
Video source links:
737 A380 Qantas • Video
737 American • American Airlines N833...
737 china eastern • China Eastern Airlines...
737 MAX 8 GOL • Decolagem do Boeing 73...
737 MAX 8 Southwest • Southwest Airlines 737...
737 MAX Boeing Demo • Video
737 MAX Ryanair • Ryanair New On Time Ji...
737 max flydubai • A6-MAX - our first Boe...
737 Production • Flying Out the Door: H...
737 Production • Building Boeing’s Next...
737 Ryanair • Ryanair Boeing 737-800...
737 Ryanair Boarding • Ryanair Terminal, boar...
737 Ryanair Stock Footage • Ryanair General Stock ...
737-200 Nolinor • Nolinor Aviation 737-2...
737-400 Alaska • Alaska Airlines N795AS...
737-500 KlasJet • Video
737-800 Alaska • Alaska Airlines 737-80...
737-800 American • American Airlines 737-...
flyDubai Airshow 737 max order • Boeing's highlights fr...
A320 Alaska • Alaska Airlines A320 [... )
A320 Delta • Delta Air Lines N371NW...
A320neo • Relive the A320neo’s h...
A320neo volaris • ¡Bienvenido a Volaris ...
767 Aeromexico • XA-TOJ takeoff Aeromex...
767 Condor • Condor 767-300ER [D-AB...
Photo sources:
Blank graphics and illustrations courtesy of www.norebbo.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
www.pikist.com/free-photo-sxgbj
www.freeimageslive.co.uk/free...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Main Channel: / @simpleflyingnews
Website: simpleflying.com/
Instagram: / simpleflyingnews
Twitter: / simple_flying
#Aviation #Flight #Avgeek #Flying

[@Stanula1]

2:23 YES. I love the B17 British Lancaster bomber.

[@garyhowells1619]

How can that be mistaken?

[@Stanula1]

@@garyhowells1619 ikr

[@AaronShenghao]

@@garyhowells1619 journalist. Glad they didn't mistaken a 747 as a B17

[@nazhif1]

never before has there been an easier to understand breakdown of the 737 models.

[@ratedprogram6947]

Literal breakdown if you know what I mean...

[@LickAlotaPuss69x]

@@ratedprogram6947 Zing Zing ZING!

[@huehuehueh]

Not like it’s complicated to begin with.

[@abhishekdev258]

My thoughts exactly

[@niia.3642]

4:50 'convertible' 737-200 Aloha Airlines flashback

[@SombraPiloto]

I see what you did there... Lolz.

[@damnbobthebuilders]

Lmao so far in this video I’ve learned that the Lancaster bomber is actually a Boeing b17 and that Boeing made a sports convertible 737

[@Ohno871]

Heh heh

[@alvinlinardi9437]

Dude wtf, convertible plane

[@ou1g8]

Same here

[@rwnordmark]

I think the 737 is a great plane up to the Next Generation 900ER. I don't think they should have built the Max and instead focused on the NMA. Also, I think Boeing should move back to Seattle so the there can be greater personal interaction between management and the engineers. I hope Boeing can soon get all the problems solved with the Max and get it flying. Many pilots have commented that it will be a great plane.

[@Fish5216m]

What’s the NMA

[@Transit-Gaming]

2:23 Simple Flying: the same building as the b-17 Flying Fortress. Shows Avro Lancaster instead

[@donaldstanfield8862]

😳

[@poloziki9990]

Ah yes. Boeing B-17 Lancaster. Really?

[@malcolm5514]

I mean you don't need to be an aviation geek to know that's a glaring mistake 🤦‍♂️

[@damnbobthebuilders]

WHAT? THAT EXISTED???. (I’m being sarcastic, how can they fuck that up lmao)

[@poloziki9990]

@@malcolm5514 I bet the person responsible for edit know nothing about planes. Ok then, WHERE WAS QA?!

[@dovidell]

The giveaway is the lack of ball turret on the Lancaster !!!!!!!

[@cwpang8]

XD

[@ihsanjayadi88]

I hope you keep making good "actual content" like this. It's so rare these days to see an aviation channel with this level of quality. Even those channels with much higher sub count can't compare with the quality of this channel. I'm sharing this with my fellow avgeeks👍

[@LongHaulbySimpleFlying]

Thanks for the kind words Ihsan!

[@cptalpdeniz]

tbh these were basic stuff. He missed A LOT of stuff regarding 737 and calls it documentary lol

[@ihsanjayadi88]

@@cptalpdeniz that's why the title is "mini" documentary. At least this channel make interesting aviation related content rather than simply making a video about every aviation news that come out like those big aviation channels that I won't mention.

[@johndonald3566]

Very well put together video. One of the main upgrades between the 737-200 and the classic series was avionics as well , with most having 2 X CDU's with one FMC and EFIS(Digital) displays. There were however a few 737-300's which were built with the older instrument displays inherited from the 737-200's. This from what I understand was done for one customer in the US to keep fleet comonality between the 200 and newer 300 series for its pilots.

[@joegassie6093]

Love the 737 and Southwest Airlines

[@williamprice3929]

The B-17, was not, an Avro Lancaster as you showed.

[@saismithanaik7885]

please do a similiar video for airbus a320 family

[@sudheerreddy2670]

Learned many things untill now thanks simple flying

[@LongHaulbySimpleFlying]

Thanks for the kind words Sudheer!

[@JoloNavarro]

Great video as always! 737 is one of my favorite aircrafts ❤️

[@LongHaulbySimpleFlying]

Thanks Jolo!

[@OhhDaarBenJePerry]

The exit limit foor the regular 900 is 189, same as the 800. In fact, the 900er is so different from the 900 that it is a different 5th model

[@BrownsburgKevin]

It was never a replacement for the 727. That was the 757.

[@jd14305]

Nice I was awaiting for this video. Thanks

[@tendaimudarikwa3942]

737 will always remain my favorite aircraft no matter what.

[@elijaha773]

I never realized how far in front of the wing the MAX engines are.

[@cherrypepsi2815]

that's a big part of why they had an mcas system fitted to it it changed how it handled quite a lot

[@D77tcPelican]

I'm writing a paper about the 737 and this video is a life saver. Thank you Long Haul!!

[@SaturnCanuck]

A great video and history of an iconic aircraft. Two things I would have added, however. 1) The development time was sped up as, like the 727 before it, the 737 used a lot of the 707 fuselage sections (nose, cockpit and forward fuselage). 2) You mention the placement of the larger CFM engines, but never mentioned the nacelles had to have flat bottoms, again for clearance. Would you consider a follow-up video on Aloha Airlines Flight 243 that shows the robustness of the design.

[@DavidMarfe]

It’s amazing how the b17 looks like an avro Lancaster 2:23

[@charlesharper2357]

That's because it was painted in RAF colors :-)

[@EKC2024]

My favourite plane! Thanks so much!

[@the_m18hellkitty91]

I love the 737 so simple and reliable

[@Ananth8193]

As always a wonderful video from your end .Loved it much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@LongHaulbySimpleFlying]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@AirShark95]

There's also the Military variants of the 737, like the C-40 Clipper (Military VIP transport for the USAF), the E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C in use with many nations, and the P-8 Poseidon Anti-Submarine/Maritime Patrol Aircraft

[@donaldstanfield8862]

They should just go back and call the first series OG. BOOM! 💥

[@madzen112]

I really see this as the spiritual successor to the DC-3. Even though it is so common today, that a trip on it isn't much of a story to tell, it is a true flying legend and an amazing success by Boeing.

[@monibstar]

Wow i like this Boeing 737 history video... 🙂👍

[@aerohk]

Your channel is my best find of the day

[@DOMINICAAVIATION]

An excellent video once again. Really enjoy learning the history of certain aircraft. Thanks a lot for sharing. Greetings

[@LongHaulbySimpleFlying]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@grdprojekt]

11:07 "there's also the -200, a higher capacity variant of the -8" Me: oh I didn't know max 200 exists 11:12 "that's being ordered by Ryanair" Me: LMAOO

[@qayz0989]

There is max 8200, its just ryanair's cover up so novody would be scared

[@stevefont_]

RYANAIR landing be like:OOOF

[@nojusgindrenas8955]

no, its called 737 MAX 8 200

[@alitalia5133]

More documentaries like this one!

[@karlossargeant3872]

I Love The Boeing 737 History is Awesome a Video!!!!!!

[@gooner72]

Great video, top job fellas!! I do like the 737, she's been updated constantly throughout her history and as she's got a short undercarriage, her engines are low to the ground so she's an easy to maintain aircraft...... which is a big advantage for airlines. I hope the Max has been sorted properly so the 737 programme is back on track, Boeing needs to close the gap on the Airbus A320 NEO family but it won't be easy, the European company has forged ahead with this phenomenal little aircraft.

[@MrMartin2187]

A really good overview of the 737 family, with clear and classy graphics. Thanks for this! A slight note for future videos: You really need to be more thorough on some things. The Lancaster blunder has been pointed out by many, but I get more anoid by the misspronounciations. TUI Fly should really sound ”TWO-WE” and not read out as T-U-I. MCAS is as everyone here knows well read as ”EM-KASS” and nothing else. With just a tiny bit of further double-checking your videos will be even better! Thanks!!!

[@suddhojitgon5929]

In India, Spicejet uses the 737. Again another likable informative video which shows that a lot of research is conducted before making an upload.

[@lawnboy7424]

I have flown on both the A319/320/321 and 737 series. I actually like the 737 better, it is so tried and true, and yes it had the Max issue as we are all aware. But what a work-horse of a plane. It is so solid, so I truly hope it works out for Boeing. I fly Southwest and Sun Country a lot, and I think their planes are great. The reason it was designed low originally was that some airports did not have infrastructure to load/unload etc. So they kept it low to the ground. Still love the plane, however any loss of life is sad. So hopefully it is a lesson learned for the industry and to make safety more of a piority.

[@seadeer923]

Wait, this channel is long hall by simple flying, the 737 is short to medium haul Jk, jk I’ll always love this channel

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Very nice.

[@ROMEROME1990]

Ahh yes, the 737 😍😍😍😍😍 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 !!! I am thrilled that I flew on three of the 737 variants of the aircraft fleet type in the -200 Advanced, -300/-400 Classic and the -800 Next Generation. I am hoping to fly on the MAX8 and MAX9 and possibility my the MAX10, once Boeing can figure out what are the major issues of their 737 MAX aircraft variants.

[@joshyrc_2011]

tomorrow I'm going on a 737 and I am going to watch it then. will come back to this when i see it.

[@RobloxianX]

The 737-900ER is one of the best in my opinion, a new and improved winglet design, an extended fuselage for a 757 replacement, and a 2 more exit doors to help incase of an emergency

[@sasavukic6968]

Well, interesting information in this video.. after crash few days ago

[@arthurproust5596]

Hi, Nice video ! Just a typo to note a 6': 737-400 capacity is 188 exit limit, but 147 in 2 classes Best,

[@LongHaulbySimpleFlying]

Thanks Arthur!

[@nhacuachua4986]

Yes, I'm very passionate about airplanes, I love watching your videos because your videos are very good and useful, but my favorite is the Boeing 787-9 aircraft line, I'm currently in class this year. that's 6 bro

[@pandy3102]

The og 737 looks so good

[@vim9099]

Boeing should've just peaked their 737 development at the NG series. Modernizing the 757 would've been their best answer to Airbus' A320neo series.

[@stradivarioushardhiantz5179]

Looking forward for the opportunity of BBJ Max-10 & Poseidon P8 Max🛫🤓

[@blackopscw7913]

Idk why the BBJ's Bigger than the 737 exsist WHO NEEDS A 747 BBJ

[@dannywilde244]

I really like the background music that starts at 3:41. Does anyone know what it's called?

[@Alexander-vc5wg]

Could you now do one for the a320? Great video, love the content!

[@spaceace1006]

This video answered my question about those long narrow engine nscelles on the early 737s! Sure enough, they were indeed Low Bypass Turbofans. Some of these were indeed retrofitted with newer high bypass engines. When later 737s came out with the High Bypass Engines, it made them look a bit sleeker.

[@jimmyjango5213]

They are so long and skinny I thought they were tubojets ha ha

[@charlesnash2748]

Basically the 737-100 was a based upon a shortened 707 with two engines.

[@Sailor92]

first ever 737-300 for non-US airline was introduced to JAT Airlines (Serbian Airlines of that time)! that was a huge surprise to whole world that one small country get something new and modern in front of much larger and stronger countries. and they are still running for some charter flights around Europe ;)

[@johndonald3566]

We still fly them to this day. Although most of ours are now freighters.

[@nontandteefamily]

I have never been on a 737 hoping to ride on one soon

[@Dan.d649]

Simply put: There never was an airplane as simple, and popular as the 737. It has been a valuable workhorse for many years, and to this day.

[@annndukumutua833]

I love the 737 a fantastic video man

[@leinardj]

I learn more here than my virtual classes

[@southwest0092]

B737NG is my favorite aircraft

[@StringerNews1]

Seems that someone forgot about the Boeing 720, the short/medium range variant of the 4-engine 707. Neither of the early 4-engine jets had an APU or airstairs, so when the 727 arrived with both, it was a game changer. Smaller & older airports didn't need to equip gates with GPU and A/C equipment, or provide jetways or stair trucks; all they had to provide was plenty of Jet A fuel. The 737 also had airstairs, though not as well executed as the 727 ones. The unpaved strip kit includes a nosewheel attachment to limit gravel being kicked up, and those probes under each engine blow air out to knock down any gravel or other FOD before it gets to the engine inlets. It doesn't look like much, but is surprisingly effective.

[@Think_Inc]

Wasn't production of 757s stopped? How are the BBJs still offered?

[@mrkongsimr]

They change so much , but was there way of making the plane with higher ground clearance.??? Thanks

[@spongebubatz]

A higher aircraft would’ve meant a new landing gear suspension, new gear well and, most importantly, a completely new training process for pilots as the cockpit has to remain the same height

[@scottlawton9459]

I’m curious to see if Boeing incorporates some of the construction methods used in the 787 into the next 737.

[@mrcannotfindaname]

I really like the 737 Jurassic versions, due to their bucket type thrust reversers.

[@simplymrklmYT]

I think the 737 is one of the best planes of the world ever

[@johnbamforth2974]

Great breakdown. One comment on the nma: on this and other channels it is stated that the nma is projected to seat 225-275. However this is the size of the 787-8 and 787-9 models. It seems that an nma would be in the 200-250 range. But does that supposed gap really exist? The 737-10 tops out at over 200 and the 787-8 is configured at around 225 depending on airline. I think the main thing with the nma is cost. Can a low cost version of the 787 be made that would do this? One with less range than the current 787-8 but more than the 737-10?

[@TOGAAviation30]

I'm watching this while flying on a 737-800

[@atomic32205489]

Finally we see a Southwest 737 at the end of the video. They have the largest fleet of the airplane in the world.

[@mxyzptlyk]

Did someone stick the decals backwards on that B17 Lancaster?

[@ecclestonsangel]

I've flown several iterations of the 737: the 200, the 400, and the 800. I like the plane very much, and find it quite comfortable for a 2, 2.5 hour flight. Would I fly the MAX when it's recertified? The answer is yes. I'm sure it will be an equally pleasant and comfortable experience. That's primarily because I fly Delta, and Delta doesn't try to cram you in like cattle, unlike some other airlines I could name.(yeah, American, I'm talking to you!)

[@richardwatson546]

A significant factor in the early success of the 737-200 was the UK inclusive-tour (IT) package holiday market. Originally the 737 was built for an average sector length of 0.7 hours. The UK IT market extended this avg sector length use to nearer 2.5 hours (with passenger seating for 130 in the early -200 model). Britannia Airways was the launch customer for the -200 in Europe in 1968 and overcame intense pressure from the UK gov to buy BAC 1-11 instead. This involved ‘proving’ to UK gov that the -200 could do things (range-wise) the BAC 1-11 (eg. UK-Tenerife non-stop) could not do, to avoid potentially crippling import taxes on the Boeing airliner into the UK. Britannia eventually proved their case. Boeing always recognised the UK IT market as a key factor in the early success and popularity of this model.

[@denniselinielsen9786]

i like the b737-200

[@armorer94]

The fact that you put the picture of an avro lancaster where there should've been a B-17 concerns me.

[@MalaysianAviator737-8]

Just a correction, the airline of Malindo Air is actually a Malaysia based airline

[@wingchetlai4171]

AirAsia is better-_-

[@eggs1632]

"Each time updating and getting better"

[@averagejoe9249]

I can't wait for the next generation 737 the ultra max

[@seapickles5762]

Good video, but 2:25 is driving me nuts. That’s an Avro Lancaster, not a B-17.

[@amirfuadh]

Malindo Air is technically a Malaysian airline although it is owned and a part of the Indonesian Lion Air group.

[@ADB-_]

Im the 700th viewer!!!!!

[@ashleyjiscool]

Gøød

[@GageisGreat12]

If you take a look at the 737-100 (first variant) and the 737 MAX 10 (Newest Variant) it’s clear something was done right for it to last so long.

[@mingming9604]

If there is any short sight, the engineers should have planned it with a much higher ground clearance! I think every single aircraft designer should really think about it and provide the aircraft with as much of ground clearance for the engine as possible. That is the way things will be that the engine fan will only get bigger and bigger! If you don't plan for this much earlier, it would only get into much more reengineering later!

[@happyjh3928]

Can you do news about tui because I love the airline so much I made a song about them

[@iIceCe]

Do a story about Pan am airline please and also some people say it might be coming back

[@skylineXpert]

I hear it already is, a temp base in miami concentrating on south america with used 747-400 combis

[@emeliaellinas9159]

Yass (I never got to fly it)

[@iIceCe]

@@emeliaellinas9159 wow i never thought after 2 years somehow ppl would find this comment

[@stevenmedlock7580]

I hope the 737 is back in the air soon..

[@1971samm]

When did a Wellington become a B-17?

[@vladilenkalatschev4915]

MAX is a very updated 737 but even though the fly by wire is still missing

[@aaronseet2738]

Waiting for 737-SE: Space Edition

[@socoffingsource9081]

MCAS was like Imma end this man's whole career.

[@leMiG31]

727 model looks good for bussiness jet

[@Arkan_Fadhila]

i hope boeing can solve all their problems soon

[@r250salvemosucrania3]

Short Documentary and Educational Resource

[@timschneider8513]

What I dont understand: if the 737 was meant to replace the 727, why would they build the 727 for 17 more years next to the 737?

[@anjanas2379]

Please do 777

[@mxyzptlyk]

727 had three engines, 737 had two engines. I would have loved to be at the meeting where Boeing executives were discussing future aircraft names. 707, oh crap! Then came the 737 Max. Well done Boeing.

[@Edax_Royeaux]

You should see the Boeing 2707

[@mxyzptlyk]

@@Edax_Royeaux Yes, it didn’t have any engines and was made of wood as I recall. I think I read somewhere that bits of it had recently been found.

[@TheGibusDemo]

“Such as the B-17 Flying Fortress” *Shows Lancaster* Me: *Angery*

[@kevinbarry71]

Great video, but you did make one mistake. MCAS is not there to prevent a stall. It has nothing to do with stalls. It has everything to do with allowing the plane to have similar flying characteristics to the previous generation. In that way, Boeing, and the airlines, could have pilots transition from the old version to the new one without going through extra training. The system, of course, has been terribly designed, as we all know

[@banksrail]

Kevin Barry It’s actually both. It’s there to prevent stalls and make the aircraft fly similar to the older versions.

[@kevinbarry71]

Banks Rail I don't believe that is true, it is simply there to offset the fact that the new version has the engines much further forward, which means when you add power it lifts the nose. So they wanted to behave like the old aircraft. That's all it does. Well, except possibly crash the airplane

[@banksrail]

Kevin Barry How do you think stalling happens? When the nose is pitched up it decreases the speed of the plane because the plane becomes less aerodynamic when the wings are catching less lift. (Think about sprinting with a parachute on your back) The whole point of MCAS is to eliminate that as being a factor so that when the AOA sensors read that the plane is pitching up too much the MCAS pushes the planes nose down.

[@kevinbarry71]

Banks Rail thank you captain obvious. But that's not what this system is for. Do some research before you start speaking

[@banksrail]

Kevin Barry Clearly you think you know everything. I’m sorry “Mr. I just looked up what it was on Google and read the first thing that it said.” It literally states “According to an international Civil Aviation Authorities team review (JATR) commissioned by the FAA, MCAS may be a stall identification or protection system.” So sir know-it-all clearly you don’t know what the word “research” actually is.

[@Colaholiker]

Not sure if your numbers are accurate... the number 189 for the 737-800 is not a typical 2-class configuration. It is the absolute maximum number of passengers allowed on board. Look at the largest operator of this type, Ryanair. They certainly don't offer a 2-class configuration, but their -800s are all 189 seats. And there is certainly no room for more comfort anywhere... It is the only number I remember without having to look it up, so I am not sure about the rest of the numbers there...

[@neilpickup237]

I can't help but wonder what the situation today would have been if, rather than making changes to the 737 (which is possibly more a replacement for the 727 than for the original 100 & 200 series 737 models) Boeing had instead modified the 727 by deleting the centre engine?

[@markharris8929]

If you really look close, the original 737-100 uses many parts of the 727. Undercarriage, fuselage, Bose section and more. Wing flaps, slats are all from the 727. Really only the tail is different, it’s half new, half shrunken 707. Remember, the 737 was drawn up initially by Jack Steiner, the 727 chief designer and Joe Sutter, then a senior 707 designer, over a weekend hotel retreat. They needed a USP so needed to avoid the T tail and rear fuselage mounted engines all their competitors used. They looked at the pods the 707 uses, but with the short original 80 seat plan it would have blocked the front 707/727 door with the engines. Sutter realised in bed that night that the mounting width of the front and rear engine mount spacing, was about the same as the spar spacing on the wings. This the 737-100 engines actually were the two side mounted 727 engines turned 90’ and bolted under the wing! Same reverser buckets and all. So in its original designed form it really is mostly a two engined 727! Also look really closely. The 707 has a deeper lower lobe- thus the nose curves down more. The 727 was shallower and the 737 takes the same cross section. But did you know the 757 also has exactly the same fuselage, just a different nose? And that behind the wing it’s really a 707 fuselage as the rear hold is deeper? The shape was better to fit the 767 tail fairing onto..... All Boeing’s are parts bin specials- it’s saved them a fortune in parts over the years but held them back in the end.

[@neilpickup237]

@@markharris8929 Don't disagree with any of that, and any sensible manufacturer would re-use unless there is a reason not to. My pondering was more to do with what would have happened if the 737 had been a 727 (which I believe was the world's most numerous airliner by the time it ceased production) with just a new tail, and changes to the fuselage length if required to reflect the change in weight distribution. Ground clearance issues which have compromised the 737 since the Classic would not have been an issue - although I don't know enough to say whether or not there would have been others, possibly more serious ones, or what they would have been had they chosen to take a 727 and delete an engine.

[@johndonald3566]

@@neilpickup237 So a twin rear mounted airliner?

[@neilpickup237]

@@johndonald3566 Exactly, a bit like the DC9. or BAC 1-11, but retaining the 6 abreast seating of the 727 which Boeing were so keen to do. I am not suggesting that this is what they should have done, just wondering what would have happened if that had been the route they took.

[@LtRiot]

2:20 not a 17 but u tried. Thats a lancaster, but great vid nonetheless

[@tafaizal]

Can a B 737 private jet can fly in extended version upto 15000 km