737-800 struggling to reach cruise altitude

[Vauban]

Hello,I intended to cruise at FL330 but couldn't make it.I'd filled up for a long flight and had a 33,000 lb payload.At around FL290:Climb rate 800 fpm, decreasingGross wt 160,00lbsIASMACH 0.76N1 97%MCP SPDIs this what you'd expect at that weight?If yes, I guess you plan to increase your cruise altitude as the flight progresses, right?ThanksGeoff

[CF104]

Hi Geoff,What was the route you were flying? What did the FMC show for optimum altitude?Cheers,JohnBoeing 727/737 & Lockheed C-130/L-100 Mechanichttp://www.sstsim.com/images/team/JR.jpg

[Guest planeman223]

This sounds about right, depending on the length of the flight the FMC will usually give ya and optimum altitude, just follow that. The altitude will increase as your fuel burns off. Hope this helps. Alex

[downscc]

Verify that your weather isn't doing something wrong like TAT on the plus side at FL290. I've only had problems climbing below FL380 in the -700 when the wx is unreal. Note -700, I've not done much with the larger variant.