Boeing 737-100

The Boeing 737‑100 was the original model of the now‑famous 737 family, launched by Boeing in the early 1960s to compete with the Douglas DC‑9. First rolled out on April 9, 1967, the aircraft made its maiden flight on April 9, 1967 and entered commercial service with Lufthansa on February 10, 1968. It was a short‑range, narrow‑body jet designed for short‑haul routes, featuring a low‑wing configuration, twin Pratt & Whitney JT8D low‑bypass turbofan engines, and a capacity for 85 to 100 passengers depending on interior layout. The 737‑100 incorporated a simple, robust airframe, a conventional control column, and a pressurised cabin that set new standards for passenger comfort at the time. Though only 30 units were built before the larger 737‑200 superseded it, the 737‑100 established the basic design philosophy—commonality of parts, relatively low operating costs, and ease of maintenance—that allowed the series to expand into one of the world’s most produced aircraft families. Its introduction marked a turning point in commercial aviation, demonstrating that a twin‑engine jet could safely and efficiently serve high‑frequency, short‑distance markets, a concept that still underpins modern air travel.

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