Boeing

Final assembly of the first Next Generation 737-900 for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines began this week. The fuselage is shown here as the first, and clearly the longest, in a row of other 737 fuselages in the Boeing factory in Renton, Wash. The newest and largest member of the Boeing 737 family, the Next-Generation 737-900, received type certification from both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) earlier this week. KLM has ordered four 737-900s and will fly them on high-density European routes with a 177-seat dual-class interior, featuring a five-abreast business class. KLM will take delivery of all four airplanes this year and will be the first 737-900 operator in Europe.