The Boeing 737 BBJ is a series of business jet variants based on the 737 commercial airliner platform, designed for private, VIP, or government use. Introduced in 1998, the original BBJ was based on the 737-700 airframe with the stronger wing and landing gear of the 737-800, offering extended range and luxurious cabin space tailored to elite clientele.

Boeing later expanded the BBJ lineup to include models based on the 737-800 (BBJ2), 737-900ER (BBJ3), and 737 MAX variants, each designed to combine the reliability and performance of commercial airliners with custom interiors and long-range capabilities. These jets are typically outfitted with bedrooms, lounges, conference areas, and private offices.

Key Specifications (737 BBJ - Original)

• Crew: 2 (Pilots), plus cabin crew depending on configuration.
• Capacity: Typically 25–50 passengers, depending on layout.
• Length: 33.63 m (110 ft 4 in).
• Wingspan: 35.79 m (117 ft 5 in) with blended winglets.
• Height: 12.5 m (41 ft 2 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ~77,564 kg (171,000 lb).
• Engines: 2 × CFM International CFM56-7B27 turbofans.
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.80 (~850 km/h or 528 mph).
• Range: ~11,519 km (7,150 mi) with auxiliary fuel tanks.
• Ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,500 m).

Notable Features

• Luxuriously configurable interior for VIPs, executives, heads of state, or wealthy individuals.
• Based on the commercial 737 but heavily customized for private travel.
• Extended range via auxiliary fuel tanks—comparable to intercontinental widebodies.
• Lower operating costs than larger widebody business jets.
• Includes BBJ2 (737-800), BBJ3 (737-900ER), and BBJ MAX (MAX 7, MAX 8, MAX 9) variants.

Operators & Usage

• Operated by private individuals, corporations, and governments worldwide.
• Used as presidential or diplomatic aircraft by several nations.
• Interiors often fitted by specialized completion centers like Lufthansa Technik or Greenpoint.
• Competes with Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) and Gulfstream or Bombardier business jets.