Boeing has announced that seven airlines will be the first to incorporate the new, spacious 737 Boeing Sky Interior starting late next year. The interior features soft blue-sky-like lighting overhead.

The airlines are Continental Airlines, FlyDubai, GOL Airlines (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Lion Air (Jakarta), Malaysia Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA and TUI Travel PLC (London).

Other features of the new 737 are 787-style sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, integrated air vent to ensure quicker pre-flight security checks, and larger, pivoting overhead stowage bins that add to the openness of the cabin. The bins give more room for carry-on roll-aboard luggage near the passenger's own seat, adding convenience and extra legroom.
Boeing has redesigned reading-light switches so passengers can find them more easily and avoid accidentally pressing of the flight-attendant call button.

Speakers are integrated into each row's passenger-service unit to improve the sound and clarity of announcements, while the integrated air vent and improved noise-dampening materials reduce overall cabin noise.

But the changes are more than cosmetic: Boeing is targeting a 2% reduction in fuel consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements. Structural improvements will reduce drag, cutting fuel use by about 1%. Boeing's engine partner, CFM, is contributing the other 1% fuel savings through hardware changes.

Photo credit: Boeing