Originally Posted by
chavala
Maybe this is a stupid question — I never really paid attention to equipment types —but I still don’t understand the difference between a 737-900, 737-900ER and a 737 MAX 9.
There have been four generations of 737 aircraft.
The original generation was the 737-100 and 737-200. Very few 737-100s were built but there were a lot of 737-200s. They have all been retired by US airlines though there may still be some flying internationally.
The second generation was called the "Classic". It was the 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500. They had bigger engines than the originals and the very noticable flattening of the front of the engine nacelles. They have also all been retired by US airlines.
The majority of 737s currently flying are part of the third generation called "Next Generation" or NG. The NG line includes the 737-600 (very few made), 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900. The 737-900ER is also an NG. It is a 737-900 with several performance improvements.
The most recent generation is the MAX and includes the 737-8 and 737-9. It will include the 737-7 and 737-10, which are both still in the certification process. The designations are often given as 737 MAX 8, for the 737-8, and the 737 MAX 9, for the 737-9. The 737-8, 737-9, etc. is the official designation of the MAX family 737s. The just-lifted grounding affected only the 737-9 aircraft WITHOUT the extra mid-cabin exit doors installed.
Originally Posted by
IAH-OIL-TRASH
If the UA pilots are OK w/ the a/c they’re on, I’m good with that.
I flew two legs today. The first was in a 737-8 and the second was a 737-900ER. I much prefer flying the MAX over the NG airplanes. Much more pleasant to fly.