Why The 737-600 Never Got Winglets

[@sedlo]

I remember being a passenger on a very lightly loaded -600 taking off out of CYYJ.... There was really gusty winds and they made a full power takeoff... Man, that thing was a rocket.

[@pit_aviation]

I was the last passenger to deboard the final SAS 737-600 flight back in November of 2019. An unforgettable experience for sure. I have the video on this account if anyone wants to watch it. I am still in contact with the pilots today who I have met on other flights occasionally. The 737-600 is one of my most flown planes, and together with the MD80 is a very special plane for me. In Scandinavia, we used to call it the "flying pig". Just like the "Maddog", or "queen of the skies" it became a phrase used by crew and ATC. The 737-600 was built mainly for SAS in order for them to replace their aging DC9s which were retired 4 years after the first delivery (in 1998). It was a perfect match for former MD80/DC9 pilots as it had a fast climb rate, and you could do sharp turns, and land on short runways just like you could on the "9rs". They were perfect for the Scandinavian weather and local airports (unlike the NEO which will not be optimal in the winter for example). It was also easy for SAS to transition 767 pilots over to the NG. The captain on SK600 flew both the 767 and Fokker 50 before the 737 NG which he still flies today, rounding his career off at the end of the year when SAS retires its final 737NG in favor of the A320 NEO. SAS will then become a full Airbus carrier. Great video Alex, enjoy those pigs while you still can:D

[@SNATRAVELS]

deplane not deboard

[@smoothflying]

I flew the last ever SAS 737-600 SK600. It was a very special flight that also happened to be departing the day after my birthday. Never going to forget that flight...

[@joshpeace2002]

wow, sweet!

[@erik_griswold]

The order that killed off McDonnell Douglas aircraft as an independent company. SAS ordered the 737-600 instead of an MD95 variant

[@mikemontgomery2654]

I’ve seen three operators (I think all three?) WestJet’s, SAS’ and JANET.

[@Kalvinjj]

It's interesting to note too that the 747-400D (the "domestic" variant) has the winglets removed. The short flights it performs didn't bring the benefits of the winglets for enough time to justify their added weight being carried around. A similar idea was probably in place when Boeing made the 737-600, probably though as a regional jet back then.

[@joshofcywg8162]

Those 600's are beasts, taking off out of Comox is always a treat in one

[@chrispavlos]

Comox doesn't deserve such nice aircrafts

[@9999AWC]

Oh! Thanks for answering my question! :D

[@tedll75]

Your videos really get me motivated to go to the airport with my camera and take some pictures and video of the planes. Great job Alex!!

[@richardwilson6787]

Excellent video Alex. I flew on a WestJet 737-600 non stop YYT - YEG in August 2019

[@adampolak2210]

I always loved working the -600 even back when we were crewed as 1:40, with there being 119 seats we only ever operated it with three cabin crew; compared with four or five of us on the -700 or -800 (we went to 1:50 ratio in 2013). It was often deployed on thinner routes, like off-season YEG-YHM or off-peak YYZYUL or YYZ LGA. We particularly loved it because there was a large closet at the front where we could stow our crew luggage. I’m sad to read though that it looks like they’ve left the fleet for good :(

[@MKsAviation2013]

Nice you included San Diego spotting in the intro!

[@naturallyherb]

Really awesome! I guess this could be the same reason why the A318 also never received sharklets.

[@emiratesaviation33]

Yup

[@zidanehadeed9229]

Not true, Airbus has a retrofit option.

[@julians9362]

Winglets reduce the induced drag which is mostly being created by the pressure difference above and below the wing, however have a huge amount of parasite drag from the fact that it is another surface in the flow of air, therefore creating drag. The Faster the aircraft flies, the smaller this induced drag gets. Given the fact that winglets also lower the induced drag, in fast speed regimes, they can significantly lower the fuel burn. For winglets to be economical however the disadvantage of the parasite drag must therefore be outweighed by the reduction in induced drag. For small aircraft like the --600, mostly being operated on shorter routes, therefore flying fast for a shorter period of time, winglets just sometimes make no sense for the airline and manufacturer. These are some of the calculations that have to be done, before fitting such devices.

[@TheBudgetTraveller786]

I recall how WestJet use to send the 737-600 frequently to IAH, I definitely enjoyed those plush older seats on the long 4 hour YYC - IAH flight. They feel significantly better than the slimline seats.

[@kermitlikesmemes9417]

i’ve always been wondering about this, thanks for the video!

[@_myronspov]

I love how every video that you post is informative and the content is real 👍

[@9999AWC]

"and the content is real" *Looks at photoshopped 737-600 with winglets* :P

[@AlexPraglowskiAviation]

@AWC shhhhh

[@bbrdodger32]

Always enjoying learning more about the aircrafts in Canada. Hope to fly again within Canada by the end of the year!

[@ianschiller9612]

Informative as always

[@widget787]

For almost the same reasons Lufthansa has never installed Winglets on none of their 737-300s/-500s -- while Winglets were available for them.

[@jagtman]

I enjoyed this one, thanks Alex

[@DanTheCaptain]

Had the treat of flying on one with Malév Hungarian Airlines from BUD - AMS. The length is actually noticeable and the overall flight was a fun one on a beautiful summer day!

[@bmer8188]

Alaska still has a few older 900's with out winglets. Cool to see something a little different from time to time. I want to say its N303AS, N304AS, and N305AS.

[@_mxrtiin]

Flew on one from YYC to YVR back in 2018. I really like the old satellite IFE!

[@alejandromoranrusso3529]

Mr ALEX thank you so much for shared yours very great videos.

[@berniegoodman8258]

KF Aerospace has just put two ex-Westjet 737-600s into charter service as Aeroflyer, 2022.

[@canadianedits.]

Tysm for doing WestJet you earned a sub ❤️

[@thomasbell9857]

These guys won’t be leaving the fleet anytime soon. I believe the ones in Arizona are being refitted and having maintence overhauls.

[@citation72]

this didnt age too well, too bad the -600's are gone

[@brandonbinder5572]

Good info! Thanks Alex!

[@tony.airlines]

Thanks for making this video !

[@davidberryman9688]

Rode the 600 a few times between YUL and YYZ. Comfortable aircraft but I don’t think I would want to do a multi-hour flight in it. No WestJet Connect or internet is available which can make a long flight pretty boring. Thanks for the insight into this aircraft design.

[@owenpriceaviation]

Hey Alex, think your videos are awesome

[@hawktb9]

What I'm not understanding is why these little birds aren't being used as a BBJ... They have the infrastructure to be reworked with additional fuel tanks, APB Blended Winglets (Split Scimitars would be quite nice), and upgraded avionics to be on par with the "newest" NGs out there. They have a LOT of air life left on their airframes, and it's sad that they are literally kicked to the curb for being too small. This is another reason the 737-500 wasn't as popular as the 737-400 or 737-300 were.

[@skylineXpert]

Was to fly on one years ago with Sas.

[@tiemji]

Thanks for the insights

[@Blank00]

Are there any -600s in use as a private/business/executive/government jet, aside from Janet?

[@ethancampbell6076]

I flew on NG with Alaska Airlines 800 and 900 series and It’s very pleasant to add spit winglets for smooth ride.

[@CuteSealYHM]

Sun country apparently has sum 737-700 without winglets

[@SEBASTIACOful]

Because there is no need for them . They are already efficient for the job they do for such a short routes they fly . Winglets are just extra wight . Same thing you never saw them on the BABY bus A318.

[@mohamedtaha4613]

This year I saw air Canada 737 600

[@MODECHARLIE]

It seems somewhat ironic that the 737NG with the longest range did not ultimately benefit from winglets.

[@spacehunter2018]

Great vid, however there wasn’t really an explanation as to why it didn’t get winglets

[@theglobalpeasant]

Great analysis. I imagine, given our population the Q400 provides increased value compared to the -600.

[@nathaninglis1724]

My 100% fav in the world 😍😍😍

[@CaptureKing247]

An early mistake by WestJet to save a few million. The 737-600 have similar seat density to the their retired 737-200 which also was a factor in WestJet's decision, however, they would have benefited from buying the higher seat density 737-800. It would have aided in their expansion and streamlined fleet management. When WestJet launched Encore for short haul flights, it highlighted how inefficient the 600's are.

[@jovanholland36]

I haven't seen a 737-600 sence westjet stoped flying them to lax

[@cskvision]

In a time with lower demand I think WJ will hang on to to their -600s for awhile longer

[@mylittlepudingxd5670]

I was in a 737-600, Air algerie :D

[@NAISBAISFSX]

Air algerie ones have winglets

[@ATIMELINEOFAVIATION]

3:05 C-GPWS 😂

[@darrenvox]

Maybe they will after all early models 300 400 500 got them

[@Shieishsejd]

Mini cute737

[@southwest737pilot]

A318 and 737-600, really cool but really odd.

[@thearsenalmisfit2414]

I used to fly to Hamilton on Westjets 600s from Alberta. Much preferred the older seats to the crap they are putting in aircraft now. It seems as the aircraft become technologically more advanced passenger comfort diminishes, at this rate we will be sitting on plastic benches in 50 years time,

[@HatsuneM1ku01]

Why are the wings sooo long lol

[@Matt-mo8sl]

Neat airplane. I figured it woulda been more successful than what it turned out to be.

[@hendrik7354]

Is it actually a similar story with the 737-400 never having winglets? After all, the -300s and -500s are both able to be retrofitted with them and only the least succesfull model of the second B737 generation appearantly isn't

[@Odontomango]

At least the -600 made more sell than the A318

[@ryanhenderson5557]

The -600s that have flown to the desert recently won’t be coming back. They have been retired

[@FabioMonteirovsm]

The 700 also doesn’t have winglets

[@TheAviationGuyID]

They do..

[@FabioMonteirovsm]

ahmmm no, not originaly... all you have to do is google

[@TheAviationGuyID]

@@FabioMonteirovsm what about the southwest 737-700s then?

[@FabioMonteirovsm]

737-700s originally came without winglets, just like the 600s of the video, but some ( not all)were later retrofitted with them. If you go to airliners.net and look at 737-700 pictures you will see many without winglets, including southwest’s

[@TheAviationGuyID]

@@FabioMonteirovsm ah ok

[@kierancalder8573]

I swear I’ve seen a 600 with winglets before... Guess I was mistaken 🤷‍♂️

[@alexandemily4896]

maybe it was a 500 not sure

[@SimxnYT]

only 69 737-600? hehehe

[@peterincalgary]

Whats missing is the hundred of thousands of $$ that WestJet had to pay to get out of their contract

[@PR-xm1gi]

I prefer the 737s without the winglets

[@tomdavis3038]

Plenty of planes don’t have winglets.

[@theuser698]

i have tried 737-600 on fsx and man 737-600 is the worst 737 i have tried why 1 this plane is not agile despite its size the 737-600 is tough on turns 2 the distance of this plane is almost the same as BAE 146 I tried to fly 1 hour full of passengers and fuel and when it landed only 38-43 percent of fuel was left 737-200 even with the same distance the fuel was still 46-50 percent BAE 146 44-47

[@skarabraeranch2093]

Like the A318, the 600 should have never been built. Shortening an aircraft never works.

[@viscount757]

The A330-200 did pretty well with around 650 built to date and a few still on order. People often forget that the significantly longer A330-300 was the first A330 model to fly in 1992 and the first to go into service in 1994. The shorter but longer-range A330-200 didn't make its first flight until 1997 and went into service in 1998. The shorter A330-200 is also the basis for the factory-built A330 freighter and the military MRTT (multi-role tanker transport) model.

[@skarabraeranch2093]

@@viscount757 747SP

[@_w_w_]

Why do the Canadian airlines like to paint on ugly cockpit windows mask? Westjet's looks like someone woke up with a hangover and dark under-eye shadows.

[@niktheref]

Not just Canadian airlines... but I believe it serves a few purposes. One, reduces reflectivity and glare off the nose. Canadian climate = lots of sun and lots of snow, both very bright. Two, reduces maintenance costs - with any sort of windshield repair, repalcements, etc, they won't have to worry about matching the exact paint colour of the livery.

[@_w_w_]

@@niktheref Unless the contours around the windshields are designed to do so, painting it black is not going to make much a difference, other than it does reduce a bit of work for windshield repairs/replacement. Reflectivity/glare are things the airframe makers consider for cockpit ergonomics , and plus at 20k-30k ft up in the air, every airplane could be exposed to daylight, not just Canadians'.

[@kadenhunt1462]

It should fight forest fires

[@JayJayAviation]

Not bad of an an idea. More modern than the current 737-300s and there’s about a dozen sitting in the desert ready to go

[@GLU373]

Jesus loves all God bless everyone!!!!!!!

[@PlutoSimulationUnReal]

Wrong video grandma 🙄

[@yungunit8299]

Never fly Boeing.

[@nicholasstanton1150]

Really going to miss the 600's in Canada, at least with Westjet. Hopefully another carrier will take them and continue their use? Sadly Planespotters.com shows more and more leaving Westjet's fleet so maybe they are being removed?

[@joshpeace2002]

great video, thanks Alex.