The marking of large modern airliners ends at zero, for example the A320, or at 7, for example, the Boeing 787. And which manufacturer should include 738?
This aircraft is a classic example of the formula "demand creates supply." Despite the release of new versions and modifications, the Boeing 737 is still the most popular airliner. Over its nearly half-century history, it has gone through many improvements and improvements. There were cargo versions, there were combi, there was even board No. 1 in its history (not long before the release of 747-200). 738-800 Boeing is a representative of the 737 family, or rather, one of the latest 737 modifications created as a direct competitor and rival to the European A320.
Why is it still 738?
Having the popularity of 737 families, he is at the same time the best representative among his brethren, having a large carrying capacity, flight range, and at the same time efficiency. He made his first flight before his nearest relative, 737-400. Boeing 738 is a shortened full name, but most service documentation uses the full name 737-800. But it is worth mentioning that in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) - a system that coordinates all companies, airports and aircraft, this aircraft will receive the code B738 - "Boeing 738".
Perhaps the decision of ICAO was influenced by the policy of the company, which called the latest modifications of the 737th Next Generation. The plane got this name long before the appearance of a direct competitor, practically speaking, from the moment of birth. And if the first versions of the aircraft were called 737-800, then after the appearance of the 320 Airbus, this aircraft received slightly redesigned parts, which increased the range and made it possible to take 12 passengers more than in previous models.
Who before
Today it is believed that the Boeing 738 was to become the successor to the 737-400, who received better and better from it. BUT! The development of 738 (then still 737-800) began before 400, and it went on its first flight two years earlier than the 400 model, which at that time was a very unusual action. The Germans became the customers of the first aircraft , and in 1996 the first aircraft flew into their hangars. A certification in America (in the homeland of the Boeing -2) was received only in 1998. It is not worth mentioning that comparing the 737-400 with analog stuffing and 800 with digital would not be in 400's favor. The Boeing’s digital airplane only appeared after the 320 appeared on the market.
Salon 738
When designing the cabin of this aircraft, the operating time of the 777 model was taken into account, which allowed companies to quickly change the configuration of their seats. In just a few minutes, the layout of the business class (2 + 2) could be changed to the 3 + 3 layout typical of the economy, and vice versa.
In addition, 738 is one of the first aircraft of the company to receive removable partitions. When planning only the economy class, the partitions between the salons were removed, which provided additional opportunities and places.
Layout Options
For comparison, consider two layout options: Transaero aircraft with three classes and one of the European companies Ruanair. But to begin with, we note that the Boeing 738 Transaero has a slightly different marking of the salons. There is no tourist class on the plane; there is an economy, a superior economy and a business.
This is what the salon looks like at Transaero Airlines (Russia). Business class is presented in two rows. At the same time, both have not a very good location, since front row passengers can be annoyed by smells from the kitchen, and second-row passengers can get noise from neighbors from the housekeeper. But business is business: a lot of space and the ability to freely recline seats, since the partition is just a screen.
Rows 10 and 19 are considered good places - plenty of legroom and the ability to lean back. But the 17th and 18th rows have rigidly fixed backs - emergency exits are located behind them.
With a minus sign can be called 35 row. The back does not recline, since the back of the bathroom wall, and quite noisy. Also, passengers sitting at the aisle in row 34 will feel themselves.
Another example is the Boeing 738, a cabin layout for Ryanair (Ireland). It should be noted that this Irish company is a low-cost airline, so in the whole fleet (and this is more than 100 V738 ships) there are no other options except economy. Based on the low-cost airline - flying cheaply, but you have to pay for all additional services. Aircraft at a company can be much newer than others - the prerogative of a low-cost airline.
Note that opposite the first row is the kitchen - therefore there are only three places. But the main plus: the passengers in this row will be a bit more spacious, and in front of only the wall - no one will recline the chair. Good places will be in rows 16 and 17, as there are emergency exits in front of these rows, and passengers will have more legroom. For these places in the company may ask to pay extra.
And as in the previous case, we note row 33 - it can be noisy there, since the bathroom is right behind the wall.
Conclusion
"Boeing 738" - a fairly comfortable narrow-body aircraft from the popular 737 family, one of the latest developments of the Americans, which received some details from the aircraft of future series. As in any aircraft with engines under the wings, the front of the cabin is quieter than in the middle. It has a standard 3 + 3 layout for narrow-body machines, which even by the company’s forces can be converted into 2 + 2. There is also the possibility of quick alteration from an airplane of 2-3 classes to an airplane of one class, and vice versa.