NEWEST BOEING NEXT-GENERATION 737 FLIES HIGH Accompanied by a T-33 chase plane is the first Boeing Next-Generation 737 airplane, a 737-700. With Boeing captains. Mike Hewett and Ken Higgins at the controls, the airplane made its first flight earlier this year, embarking on a seven-month flight-test program. The Next-Generation flight-test program includes 10 airplanes: four 737-700s, three 737-800s and three 737-600s. Each model's flight test is planned to last approximately seven months and will consist of more than 2,300 in-flight test hours. The new 737s will fly higher, faster, farther and with lower costs than existing models. News and Media Kits From Paris | Commercial Airplanes | Commercial Airplanes @ Paris