It is about time Boeing came up with something new in this market, the B737 is so dated. The only reason airlines really still buy it is because they cannot get A320 slots and Boeing offers discounts!!! I would suggest Boeing concentrates on a B777 replacement as the A350 will take this market.

james, swindon,

The 757 is out of production and the 767, whose design dates from the late 1970s, is getting obsolete and likely to be replaced by some smaller versions of the upcoming 787 Dreamliner. The technology has moved on, particularly methods of fuselage construction, and Boeing is right to go with all-new designs, especially given that its European rival's models are all much more recent in origin.

Fred Marconi, Birmingham,

The 737 fuselage is no longer compatible with the ever-expanding waistlines of 6-across passengers. If the new plane also has to last 40 years, then a 38cm width addtion to the single aisle will be the only way it's going to be viable. Somehow Boeing will also have take account of the added 12kg per passenger since the 1960's design first saw light of day. That means added lift capacity of 2,600kg for a full plane of 220 passengers. Since people are now 7cm taller than in 1964, seat pitch for DVT-reduced seating should be planned as 83cm rather than 78cm. It's us changing-size humans that are casuing the discomfort. Remember: The 737 fuselage diameter was first seen in the 707 in the1950's. Look at any boarding line today - the shape of 21st century humans has changed, in most cases sharply for the worse.

John Swainston, Sydney, Australia

I'm not sure Japan Airlines will go for the Little Boy version

Steve Mc, Zurich,

Is there really a gap in the Boeing range for a larger version of the 737? I thought the 200-250 seat range was where the 757 (single aisle) and 767 (two aisles) come in. These planes are more comfortable to fly in, and perhaps could be marketed more instead of going through another expensive development cycle to effectively "reinvent the wheel". I wonder whether Boeing are trying too hard to counter the Airbus image of big planes by projecting themselves as "small".

Austin, London,

I think Boeing is forced to come up with something new. An improved Airbus A320 is on the table and the 737NG won´t be able to match. Of course this is brought up as a great new opportunity but in reality..

Kees Burger, leiden, netherlands

It is quite a nice plane. For over 35 years I have traveled extensively around the world by 737 in all manner of flying conditions and I have to day it is one of the safest planes I have ever encountered. Who cares if it is uncomfortable. You will arrive.

robert peterson, melbourne, australia

The 737 is too narrow and cramped and just generally unpleaseant for anything other than a short hop.
I much prefer the A320 which is just that bit more comfortable.
Any new 737 must be wider.

Peter Goadby, Reading, UK

The airlines may love this plane but , if my view is anything to go by, the customers hate them.
The fuselage diameter is too small and always did cause passengers to hold their elbows in when seated three across. On a long sector - say 4 hours or more - this can be very uncomfortable. I think the fuselage diameter needs to be increased by 12 inches to gave an extra 2 inches to each passenger.
It might also help give the aircraft a wide-body feel (always preferred) without going to a twin-aisle configuration.

John Court, Brisbane, Australia