The Boeing 737-300 is part of the "737 Classic" series, which represented a significant upgrade and modernization of the original 737-100/200 models. Introduced in the mid-1980s, it quickly became a popular choice for airlines seeking a more fuel-efficient and quieter aircraft for short-to-medium-haul routes.
Here are its key characteristics:
- "CFM56 Engines:" The most significant change from the 737-200 was the adoption of the new CFM International CFM56 high-bypass turbofan engines. These engines are larger in diameter than the earlier JT8Ds, so Boeing had to flatten the bottom of the engine nacelles and move them forward and slightly upward to maintain ground clearance. This distinctive "flat-bottomed" engine design became a hallmark of the 737 Classic and Next Generation series.
- Improved Efficiency and Noise: The CFM56 engines were much more fuel-efficient and significantly quieter than the older JT8Ds, allowing the 737-300 to meet new noise regulations and reduce operating costs.
- Capacity: It had a stretched fuselage compared to the 737-200, typically seating between 128 and 149 passengers.
- Avionics: The cockpit received an upgrade to include more digital instrumentation, moving away from the purely analog "steam gauges" of its predecessors, though it still retained a two-person flight deck.
- Range: Offered improved range over the 737-200, making it suitable for a wider variety of routes.
- Popularity: The 737-300, along with its stretched -400 and shortened -500 siblings, was incredibly popular and a common sight at airports worldwide throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Many have since been retired from passenger service or converted to cargo aircraft.
In essence, the Boeing 737-300 was a crucial evolution for the 737 family, bringing it into the modern jet age with more efficient engines, increased capacity, and improved avionics, setting the stage for the even more successful "Next Generation" series that followed.
