Five things to know about the Boeing 737-800 aircraft involved in Tehran crash

Five things to know about the Boeing 737-800 aircraft involved in a crash in Tehran on Wednesday.

Airline workhorse: Introduced in the 1990s, the 737-800 is a mainstay of many airlines around the world with thousands of aircraft in operation.

Who flies it in Canada: WestJet Airlines, Sunwing Airlines and Air Transat have the 737-800. Air Canada does not have the 737-800 as part of its fleet.

How big is it: The 787-800 is a twin-engine narrow-body jet. It can carry up 189 passengers.

737-800 vs. 737 Max: The 737-800 is a part of the NG generation of the Boeing 737 family of aircraft. The 737 NG class is the predecessor to the 737 Max version.

Crack inspections: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration asked airlines last year to inspect Boeing 737 NG planes for cracking in a part that helps keep the wings attached to the fuselage after cracks were found on an aircraft undergoing modifications.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 8, 2020.

The Canadian Press