On this day in 1965 Boeing decided to build the 737 short-haul jet, following an order for 21 from Lufthansa. It was the first time that an American aircraft manufacturer had launched a new airliner on the strength of an export order.
Read more and see how Flight reported the story which included a graphic showing payload/range performance, with typical airline fuel reserves, for three Boeing jets plus a provisional Flight general arrangement drawing.
KLM celebrated 90 years in business with a Boeing 737 in its retro livery.
Aircraft profile: Boeing 737
Note this image from Rex Features shows the Lufthansa 737 aircraft that was the subject of a Palestinian hijack in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1977 and is the closest to the Lufthansa livery of the day.
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