Aircraft Asset Assessment: B737-400

Market Presence. The B737-400 is clearly showing its age in terms of efficiency, specification and market orientation. Structure and systems can be traced back to the 1960s, if not before, while performance and capacity reflect the 1980s. However, partly perhaps because of its heritage, the structure remains reasonably robust and provides uncompromising service to a wide range of operators everyday of the year. The limited payload/range performance, combined with a maximum 169 seating capacity, represent the major drawbacks to the B737-400. Operators now demand at least 150 seats (two classes) and a 3,000nm range capability (though the emphasis is on payload rather than absolute range). Only with a high MTOW and extra fuel tanks can the –400 even reach 2,500nm. Noise levels could be reduced by the installation of optional acoustic panels and Boeing/CFM56 offered a major upgrade to the CFM56-3 series at a list price of $1 million per engine. Southwest was the launch customer for the upgrade which also provided greater on wing time. The A320 and the B737-800 represent the key replacement to the B737-400 but even these are too are being replaced by new products underlining the vulnerability of the B737 Classic. The problem for values of the -400 is that the market for even the engines has experienced considerable weakness. With the retirement of so many B737 Classics there is no longer the demand for spares.