The type didn't sell nearly as well as the 737-900ER variant.
The Boeing 737-900 and 737-900ER are the longest variants in the US manufacturer's 737NG ('Next Generation') series, clocking in at 42.11 meters in length. The latter version has sold very well, with more than 500 examples produced. However, the standard 737-900 performed poorly in this regard, with sales barely exceeding 50. Let's see who flies this rare variant of the 737 today.
According to data from ch-aviation.com, Boeing produced just 52 examples of the 737-900 in total. It likely lacked in sales due to not offering operators any significant tangible advantages over the popular 737-800. Indeed, despite being longer, its exit limit remained the same as the 737-800 as it had the same emergency exit layout.
Of the 52 examples produced, 36 are listed as being active today, with 11 of these serving Alaska Airlines. The carrier also has a 12th inactive example in its fleet, and, overall, these aircraft are 20.3 years old on average. The carrier configures the 737-900 with a three-class 178-seat layout. This consists of 138 standard economy seats, as well as 24 with extra legroom, and a 16-seat first class cabin.
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Across the Pacific Ocean, South Korea is something of a hotspot for the standard Boeing 737-900, with two of the country's carriers flying the type today. The smaller of the pair is low-cost operator Jin Air, which has two 737-900s at its disposal. They are 18.5 years old on average, and each of them accommodates 188 passengers.
Due to the airline's budget nature, it is unsurprising that most of these customers are seated in a 180-seat economy cabin. However, the front of the plane also has two rows of four-abreast business class seats, accounting for the remaining eight guests. Jin Air received its 737-900s from Korean Air within the last year.
Over in Europe, Dutch flag carrier KLM is the continent's only standard 737-900 operator. It has five examples of the type in its fleet, and, with an average age of 20.4 years, they are its oldest aircraft. Each of them can accommodate up to 188 passengers, with a standard economy class pitch of 30-33 inches. KLM received its 737-900s brand-new between June 2001 and May 2004.
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Returning to South Korea, flag carrier Korean Air has 10 active Boeing 737-900s in its fleet at present. Historically speaking, it has also operated another six examples of the type. The 10 left are 18.9 years old on average.
As far as the seating configuration of these aircraft is concerned, Korean Air uses a two-class 188-seat layout. Given that Jin Air's two 737-900s came from Korean Air, we can assume that the low-cost operator has, thus far, opted not to reconfigure its recently transferred twinjets, as these have the same setup. Korean Air received its 737-900s between August 2002 and June 2005.
Finally, United Airlines operates the last eight Boeing 737-900s that are presently listed as active by ch-aviation (as well as four that are inactive). While these are more than 20 years old on average, they are not quite the oldest aircraft in United's fleet. Equipped with three-class 179-seat layouts, they were initially delivered to Continental, before being transferred to United in November 2011.
What do you make of the standard Boeing 737-900? Have you ever flown on this aircraft? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
Journalist - A graduate in German, Jake has a passion for aviation history, and enjoys sampling new carriers and aircraft even if doing so demands an unorthodox itinerary. A keen amateur photographer, he also recently reached the milestone of flying his 100th sector as a passenger. Based in Norwich, UK.