Aircraft

Boeing started the final assembly of its first 737-900ER (Extended Range) today (pictured below). 

The wings and landing gear shown here are being joined to the fuselage in the Boeing manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington. Final assembly and interiors completion will begin once the aircraft joins the moving assembly line.

The -900ER derivative incorporates an extra pair of exit doors, a flat aft-pressure bulkhead and other structural and aerodynamic changes that allow it to carry up to 215 passengers and have a range of up to 3,200nm (5,900 km).

The first -900ER is destined for Indonesian-based launch customer Lion Air, and will start a five-month flight test programme later this year.

Boeing Photo