Boeing's 10,000th 737 rolls off the assembly line

Ben Mutzabaugh | USA TODAY

Boeing rolled out its 10,000th 737 jet Tuesday, marking the latest milestone for the workhorse jet that just celebrated its 50th anniversary in April 2017.

For the 10,000th 737, thousands of employees gathered at Boeing’s factory in Renton, Wash., to commemorate the occasion.

"This incredible milestone is a testament to the work we do every day to build the most reliable and efficient single-aisle airplane in the world," Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Kevin McAllister said in a statement. "It represents more than 50 years of success and achievement on the part of thousands of Boeing employees past and present, our supplier partners, and our airline customers around the globe who put their confidence in the 737."

APRIL 2017: Happy birthday, 737! Boeing’s workhorse turns 50 (story continues below)

The 737, of course, is the best-selling commercial passenger jet of all time.

Boeing continues to rake in sales for the plane, including the new "Max" versions of the jet that represent the latest update to the model. The plane that rolled out on Tuesday is a 737 Max 8 variant bound for Southwest, the world’s top operator of the 737.

Boeing's Renton assembly line remains busy with 737 activity.

Boeing says it will increase 737 production from the current rate of 47 airplanes per month to 52 airplanes per month later this year. The 737 program has more than 4,600 airplanes still on order, according to Boeing.

IN PICTURES: A photo tour of Boeing's 737 MAX assembly line

IN PICTURES: Boeing rolls out first 737 MAX

IN PICTURES: Norwegian Air takes delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max jet

IN PICTURES: Boeing rolls out its first 737 ‘Max 7’

MORE: A look at Alaska Airlines' unusual Boeing 737-400 "combis"

MORE: Southwest paints Boeing 737 for animated Disney-Pixar movie



