Aircraft

The Boeing 737 has reached an historic milestone with the delivery of the 6,000th aircraft, almost exactly 42 years after the twinjet first took to the air. The delivery makes the 737 by far the most produced jet airliner in history.

The 6,000th 737, an -800 (LN-NOL), was handed over to International Lease Finance on 16 April for onward lease to Norwegian Air Shuttle. The original 737-100 flew on 9 April 1967 and the first deliveries (a -100 to Lufthansa and -200 to United Airlines) took place in December that year. Shipments of the updated 737-300 model began in November 1984 while the first of the current Next Generation variants (a -700) was delivered 12 years ago to Southwest Airlines. With over 2,200 on order, 737 production is on course to surpass 8,000 aircraft.

© Boeing

Scandinavian low-fare airline Norwegian Air Shuttle has 39 737s in service and an additional 42 on firm order. Its route network stretches across Europe into North Africa and the Middle East. "We couldn't be more pleased about being part of this important milestone for the 737," says Norwegian chief executive Bjorn Kjos.

Total production comprises 1,144 737-100/200s; 1,988 737-300/400/500s; and 2,868 737-600/700/800/900s.

© Lufthansa A 737-100 of 737 launch customer Lufthansa

© Boeing