• – Number of customers doubled in past two years
• – 757s replaced by 737-900ERs, provides 737-800 growth

Boeing’s Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) surpassed 500 orders this week. The milestone was reached when a customer converted its 737-700s to 737-900ERs.

To date, the 737-900ER has logged 537 orders from 17 customers in 10 countries. Since the beginning of 2010, the 737-900ER has more than doubled the number of its customers and orders. Most airlines that have bought the 737-900ER have also bought the 737-800 because the 737 family provides commonality and flexibility to match capacity to demand while maximizing profits.

The Next-Generation 737-900ER replaced the larger, single-aisle 757, which ceased production in 2004. The 737-900ER is capable of flying 96 percent of the 757’s current routes at a much lower operating cost.

“Airlines around the world have recognized the superior performance and operating economics of the 737-900ER,” said Beverly Wyse, 737 vice president and general manager, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It offers the best seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane in production, which is especially important with today’s high fuel prices.”

Boeing press release