There’s not a more iconic, well-recognized passenger jetliner in history than the venerable Boeing 737.
Ever since the 1960s, the compact 737 seemed to explode onto the market and transport just about everyone, everywhere. Originally designed as a short range commuter jet, with the little “rocket” engines slung under the wings, the smaller 737-100 series was born out of the larger, first passenger jetliner to make its mark—the four-engined Boeing 707. The 707 from the 1950s roared up to 600 mph, taking a 12-hour prop liner to cross the U.S. in six or less hours at high altitude.
