The 737-900. The competitor to the A321. This is the story of the 737-900 and how it was supposed to be the front cover instead of the 737-900ER.
The 737-900 was built as competition to the A321. Boeing also built it with an idea to replace the aging 757-200. After they launched the 737-900, there were only 52 orders. That is because the 737-900 has the same exit door layout as the 737 NG so the seating capacity stayed the same.
Boeing saw this as trouble and came up with the idea that they should build a new version of the 737-900. The 737-900ER. Boeing added an extra exit door to both sides so they could increase the seating capacity of the 737-900ER. Boeing increased the fuselage length by approximately 7 ft, making it the longest 737 yet. They also added 2 more 1970 litter fuel tanks for greater range.
Sales immediately went up for the 737-900ER. Many airlines were looking at it’s efficiency, seating and range compared to the 737-800 and 737-900. Boeing had put up good competition to the A321. The range of the 2 planes were now similar and airlines considered upgrading to the 737-900 from the 737-800.
The 737-900ER has a wingspan of 117ft 10 inches. It can go at a speed of 525 mph, has 2 CFM56-7 engines, and has a range of 3,393 miles compared to the 3,200 miles of the 737-900.
Have you ever flown on the 737-900ER. If so, try to spot that extra exit. The 737-900ER is a great choice for airlines. So that is the story of how the 737-900 came to be better than it’s standard version.