Indonesia's Lion Air Is Launch Customer

Aero-News has learned that Wednesday, Boeing began final assembly of its first 737-900ER (Extended Range) airliner, the latest (and, likely, final) spinoff of the venerable 737 family.

In the above photo, the wings and landing gear are being joined to the 737-900ER fuselage in the Boeing manufacturing facility in Renton, WA. Last-stage assembly and interiors installation will begin once the airplane joins the moving assembly line.

As Aero-News reported earlier this year, ramp spotters will be able to spot the -900ER by its extra pair of exit doors. The Extended Range plane also features a flat aft-pressure bulkhead, a two-position tail skid, blended winglets, and other structural and aerodynamic changes that allow it to carry more passengers and fly farther than the 737-900.

Boeing reports the twin-engine jet can carry up to 215 passengers, and fly up to 3,200 nautical miles.

The 737-900ER now being assembled will join a second 737-900ER on a five-month flight test program later this year. The first production -900ER is slated to be delivered to Indonesian-based launch customer Lion Air in the first half of 2007.

FMI: www.boeing.com