Boeing unveils performance, comfort changes to next-generation 737s

The interior features soft, blue sky-like lighting overhead.

The airlines include FlyDubai - Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Continental Airlines, USA; Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA - Norway; Malaysia Airlines - Malaysia; TUI Travel PLC - UK; GOL Airlines - Brazil and Lion Air - Indonesia.

787 Style in the World's Leading Single-Aisle Airplane:

Drawing from years of research used to design the interior for the 787 Dreamliner, the 737 Boeing Sky Interior features new 787-style modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals that draw passenger eyes to the airplane's windows, giving passengers a greater connection to the flying experience.

On a more practical note, the sidewall design integrates the air vent so that between-flight security checks go more quickly for maintenance staff.

The new design offers larger overhead stowage bins that give all passengers to enough room to store a standard carry-on roll above their own seat, adding both extra convenience and extra legroom.

Boeing redesigned reading-light switches so passengers could find them more easily and avoid accidentally pressing the flight-attendant call button.

Speakers integrated into each row's passenger-service unit will improve sound and clarity of public address operations, while the new integrated air vent and improved noise-dampening materials will reduce overall cabin noise by two decibels.

More efficient, more clean:

Changes to the Next Generation 737 are more than cosmetic: Boeing is targeting a two percent reduction in fuel consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe, weight and engine improvements. Airplane structural improvements such as rounding off square edges, sealing gaps and smoothing surfaces will reduce drag on the airplane, reducing fuel use by about one percent. Our engine partner, CFM, is contributing the other one percent fuel savings through hardware changes to its engine.

Continental Airlines will make a Next-Generation 737-800 available to Boeing to flight test the performance improvements.