The first Boeing 737-800 made a successful 3h 5min-long maiden flight from the company's Renton production site in Washington on 31 July. The 39.5m-long -800 is the second of the Next Generation family to be flown. Boeing test pilots, Capts Mike Hewett and Jim McRoberts, report "a flawless flight", which ended at Boeing Field, where the 737 will be based for the certification programme. Approval is expected in February 1998 in time for delivery to Hapag-Lloyd in March.
Source: Flight International
