Boeing 737-900

Boeing · United States · first flew 2000 · airliner

The 737-900 is the longest Next Generation variant, stretching to 42.1 m to seat up to 177 passengers, at the expense of range compared with the -800.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, swept
E — Engines	2 × turbofan, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Longest NG at 42.1 m — noticeably longer fuselage than -800, visible in extra window bays
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Longest NG at 42.1 m — noticeably longer fuselage than -800, visible in extra window bays
CFM56-7B engines; blended winglets common but not universal
Only one main door per side on early -900s, unlike -900ER which added an exit

Longer than the -800 by 2.6 m with more cabin windows; distinguished from the -900ER by fewer emergency exit doors visible along the fuselage.

Specifications

The Boeing 737-900 has a length of 42.1 m (138 ft).
It has a wingspan of 35.8 m (117 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

Alaska Airlines launched the type in May 2001. Limited range and only two exit pairs initially constrained its appeal, leading Boeing to develop the improved -900ER with extra exits, winglets and increased fuel. Only 52 of the basic -900 were built.

Variants

Succeeded by the -900ER which added auxiliary fuel tanks, winglets and emergency exits for higher capacity and longer range.

Where you'll see it

Operated mainly by Alaska Airlines; the basic -900 is rarely seen, with the -900ER far more common.

Related aircraft

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