Boeing

Boeing 737-500

735 B735 Out of Production

Shortest member of the Boeing 737 Classic series, the 737-500 was conceived as a modern replacement for the original 737-200. It seats about 108 passengers in two classes and up to 132 single-class, with two CFM56-3C1 turbofans giving a range near 5,200 km at 793 km/h. First flown in 1989, the aircraft measures 31.0 metres long with a 28.9-metre wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight of 52,390 kg. Pairing a compact fuselage with the fuel-efficient CFM56 engine, the -500 gave airlines contemporary economics on thinner routes that did not require the capacity of the larger 737-300 and -400.

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Dimensions

Length: 31.01 m
Wingspan: 28.88 m
Height: 11.13 m
Cabin Width: 3.54 m

Performance

Range: 5,200 km
Cruise Speed: 793 km/h
Max Speed: 876 km/h
Service Ceiling: 11,300 m
Category: medium-haul

Capacity

Typical Seats: 108
Max Seats: 132
Cargo Volume: 21.30 m³
Size: narrow-body

Engines

Count: 2
Type: Turbofan
Model: CFM56-3C1

Airlines (8)

Blue Air 7 Peruvian Airlines 4 UTair Aviation 3 Tajik Air 2 Lufthansa 2 Scat Air 1 Bahamasair 1 Tunisair 1

Family Variants

Boeing 737-200 Boeing 737-300 Boeing 737-400 Boeing 737-600 Boeing 737-700 Boeing 737-800 Boeing 737-900ER Boeing 737 MAX 10 Boeing 737 MAX 7 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Boeing 737 MAX 9

Engine Profiles

CFM International CFM56

About Boeing 737-500

Shortest member of the 737 Classic series, designed as a direct replacement for the original 737-200. Combined modern CFM56 engines with the compact size ideal for thinner routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Boeing 737-500 typically seats 108 passengers in a two-class configuration. In a single-class high-density layout, it can carry up to 132 passengers. At 31.0 m, it was the shortest member of the 737 Classic family. The cabin uses the standard 737 3-3 seating arrangement in a 3.54 m wide cabin.

The Boeing 737-500 has a maximum range of approximately 5,200 km (2,808 nautical miles). The aircraft is powered by two CFM56-3 turbofan engines, which were a significant upgrade over the JT8D engines used on the 737-200 it replaced. The improved engines provided better fuel efficiency and considerably lower noise levels.

The 737-700 (Next Generation) replaced the 737-500 with significantly improved range (6,230 km vs 5,200 km), a modernized cockpit with EFIS displays, and better fuel efficiency from the CFM56-7B engines. The 737-700 also features blended winglets and a redesigned wing for better aerodynamic performance. The 737-500 used the older round-dial cockpit and smaller CFM56-3 engines.

The 737-500 can be distinguished from the 737-700 by its shorter engine nacelles (the CFM56-3 has a smaller fan diameter than the CFM56-7B) and lack of winglets. The 737 Classic series also has a shorter dorsal fin and a different entry door configuration. Compared to the longer 737-300 and 737-400, the -500 has a noticeably shorter fuselage with fewer window rows.

The Boeing 737-500 has been retired by most Western airlines, replaced by the 737-700 and 737 MAX 7. A total of 389 units were delivered between 1990 and 1999. Some 737-500s remained in service with airlines in developing countries and as VIP transports. The type gained unfortunate attention when Sriwijaya Air Flight 182, a 737-500, crashed in January 2021 in Indonesia. The remaining examples are rapidly being phased out worldwide.

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