BOEING DELIVERS FIRST NEXT-GENERATION 737-700 CONVERTIBLE WITH QUICK CHANGE OPTIONS

The Boeing Company today delivered its first Next-Generation 737-700 Convertible with Quick Change options. The customer, a private corporation, wishes to remain unidentified.

The 737-700 Convertible, or 737-700C, is the first member of the new Boeing 737 family to be offered in both an all-passenger or all-cargo layout. The Quick Change option is simply a 737-700C with pallet-mounted seats. This reduces the conversion time from passenger to freighter configuration, and vice-versa, to less than an hour.

"This delivery is another example of the exceptional flexibility of the new 737 to meet the needs of a variety of markets," said Carolyn Corvi, vice president/general manager of the 737 program. "This airplane is an excellent fit for airlines looking to maximize their assets by extending utilization in an environment that's seen a decline in passenger traffic."

The 737-700C, a simple derivative of the new 737 passenger airplane, has strengthened wings identical to those on the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). The BBJ is a modified 737-700. The 737-700C also has a new main-deck cargo door and new cargo handling system.

In the passenger layout, the 737-700C Quick Change can carry up to 149 passengers. In the cargo configuration, the airplane can carry up to 41,420 pounds (18,780 kilograms) of cargo on eight pallets. The ceiling, sidewalls and overhead bins remain in the interior while the airplane is configured for cargo.

The 737-700C was launched in September 1997 with an order from the U.S. Naval Reserve. Earlier this year, the Navy took delivery of the first 737-700C, which it calls the C-40A Clipper.

Boeing is the only manufacturer of this type of aircraft. The new 737 family is the most technologically advanced family of airplanes in the single aisle market. All 737 models (737-600/ -700/ -800/ -900) are designed to fly higher, faster, quieter and with greater fuel efficiency than both the previous 737 models and the competition. In addition, the new 737's superior reliability and maintainability, new and more spacious interior and low operating costs make it the airplane of choice for more than 90 customers around the world.

More than 200 operators worldwide fly 737s.