Continental Airlines Adds Latest Boeing Next-Generation 737s to Fleet
Continental Airlines has exercised options from a previous Next-Generation 737 order and will purchase 15 Boeing 737-900s, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group confirmed today. The twinjets are scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2001 through July 2002.
This is the first order Continental has placed for the -900 model, which was launched last November. The Boeing 737-900 will join 50 Boeing 737-700 and 28 Boeing 737-800 jets Continental has on order to date.
The 737-900 is the newest and longest member of the Next-Generation 737 family, which is designed to fly higher, faster, farther and quieter than previous 737 models. At 138 feet 2 inches, the 737-900 can carry up to 189 passengers in a two-class configuration.
The 737 -- a short-to-medium-range airplane -- is based on a key philosophy: delivering more value to airlines in the form of reliability, simplicity and reduced operating and maintenance costs. In addition, the new 737-600/-700/-800/-900 models offer flight deck commonality with previous 737s and allow flight crews to maintain the same type ratings.
With more than 3,900 orders, the 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner of all time. More than 825 737s are in the air at any time, with one taking off every six seconds.
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