Boeing 737-500
Boeing · United States · first flew 1989 · airliner
The 737-500 is the smallest-capacity Classic, designed as a direct replacement for the Original -200 with the newer CFM56 engine and glass cockpit.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 31 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Shortest Classic at 31.0 m — same length as Original -200 but with CFM56 engines
- CFM56-3C flat-bottomed nacelles immediately identify it as a Classic not an Original
- Small cabin, typically 108 seats; fewer window bays than -300 or -400
Same short fuselage length as the Original -200 but instantly separated by its larger CFM56 nacelles rather than the JT8D pods; shortest of the three Classic variants.
Specifications
- The Boeing 737-500 has a length of 31 m (102 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 28.9 m (95 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 876 km/h (544 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 flight crew.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Southwest Airlines launched the -500 in February 1990 as a higher-efficiency alternative to its ageing -200 fleet. Only 389 were built, making it the rarest Classic. Many were acquired by low-cost carriers in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Variants
No major production sub-variants; some converted to freighters.
Where you'll see it
Dwindling passenger operations remain in Eastern Europe, Russia and developing markets; most Western examples retired.
Related aircraft
- Boeing 737-400
- Boeing 747-400
- Boeing Condor
- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
- Tupolev Tu-204
- ATR 72
- Beechcraft 1900D
- Bombardier Learjet 60
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.