Air China's first Boeing 737-700 takes off for home

Air China's first Boeing 737-700 took to the sky today from Boeing Field in Seattle, Wash., for Beijing, People's Republic of China.

"The 737-700 will be a great complement to our current fleet of airplanes," said Ma Kuiliang, executive vice president -- Air China. "With this airplane, Air China will take more passengers to places they want to go in comfort and style that only the 737 can provide in the single-aisle airplane category."

The newest member of Air China's 737 family will connect passengers with routes between Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and other cities throughout China. The airplane is arranged in a two-class configuration to accommodate up to 127 passengers.

"We are pleased that the 737-700 will be joining the 11 737-800s already in Air China's fleet," said Rob Laird, vice president of China Sales -- Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With commonalities to the 737-800 and superb economic performance, the 737-700 will allow Air China to reduce its operating and maintenance costs, while increasing profit potential on its regional routes."