# What happens when Boeing runs out of numbers?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-boeing-runs-out-of-numbers/963003>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 18, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-boeing-runs-out-of-numbers/963003 "2022-04-18T17:27:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-boeing-runs-out-of-numbers/963003/41 "2022-04-19T12:55:45Z")

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As I understand it, the type numbers that Boeing uses are based more on the market segment that the planes serve rather than om engineering and design. The 737, for instance, is a medium-sized jetliner aimed primarily for short and medium distances. When Boeing designs a new plane serving this particular demand, it may well be designated as the next generation of 737 even if it is, in terms of engineering, quite different from previous models sold under that designation.

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