Boeing executives and more than 500 employees, suppliers, union representatives and government officials joined China Southern Airlines to celebrate the 4,000th Next-Generation 737 at a special event today at Seattle’s Boeing Field.

The 4,000th Next-Generation 737 jetliner off the 737 production line in Renton, Wash., will be delivered next week to China Southern Airlines, headquartered in Guangzhou, China.

“The Next-Generation 737’s success is the result of years of expertise that thousands of employees continue to build into every Boeing 737 used in private, government and commercial service,” said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager of the 737 program.

“It is an incredible milestone to be delivering our 4,000th Next-Generation 737.

“We thank China Southern Airlines and all our customers who have made the 737 the world’s most popular jetliner.”

China Southern Airlines is commemorating its own milestone as the plane will be the 75th 737 delivered directly to the airline.

The carrier has an additional 45 737-700/-800s on order.

China Southern is the largest airline in China and operates a fleet of 450 airplanes, making it the 6th largest carrier worldwide.

“China Southern and Boeing have built an excellent relationship and we are honoured to be the recipient of Boeing’s 4,000th Next-Generation 737 airplane,” said Dong Suguang, executive vice president, China Southern Airlines.

“The Next-Generation 737s provide a solid foundation to China Southern’s modern, fuel-efficient and economical portfolio of commercial jetliners.”

The 4,000th Next-Generation 737 is a 737-700 model that seats 126 passengers in a two-class configuration with the new Boeing Sky Interior.

More 737s have been produced than any other commercial jetliner in history and continues to hit the record books as the program produces airplanes at record rates.