Date: 201409
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Returned To Gate
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Airport; Procedure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: We were originally Number 2 for takeoff and could see a line of traffic on approach. Tower cleared Company ahead of us after originally calling our flight number to line up and wait and be ready to go with traffic on three-mile final. They departed and then another carrier's jet landed and we were cleared to line up and wait and be ready for immediate takeoff traffic on 2-1/2 mile final. We took the runway with the power spooled up and as we lined up on centerline;Tower cleared us for takeoff. We transferred control and I began the takeoff. At about 80 knots; I could hear the Tower tell the Company aircraft on final to go around and then told us to abort our takeoff. The Captain assumed control and initiated the RTO at around 105 knots. The aircraft came to a controlled stop as we exited the runway and the Captain notified the Passengers and Flight Attendants that all was fine. I talked to  Ground Control and for a few moments stopped where we were as we had to make a plan. I checked the brake cooling information and we then relocated to a more uncongested location while we contacted Company for a gate return and to get the brake temperatures checked by MTC. We were met by MTC who conducted brake temperature readings and found the left brakes to be about 525 and they said we would need the 62-minute cooling time and he would check the readings again. At about 75 minutes; the brakes were below the required reading and we were cleared to depart.  The [chart] had a 27-minute cooling period and 21.5 million foot pounds brake energy at 108 knots; 0 head wind; 1.5 mile taxi. Not sure why we were required to abort the takeoff.  Assuming maybe the other carrier did not fully clear the runway?  ATC should require better spacing between arriving and departing aircraft when operating to the same runway.


Second narrative: It was a busy clear day. A regional jet had just landed and Tower cleared us into position and hold and said; 'Be ready.' We saw Company at a normal distance on final and took the runway. The [previous] aircraft was slow to exit and we finally were cleared for takeoff. At around 90 knots; we heard Tower tell the aircraft on final to go around and then tell us to cancel takeoff clearance. I took control of the aircraft and performed the abort. We were light and were able to easily exit [before the end]. We conservatively estimated the brake onset speed to be 108 knots; which was one knot below V1. We taxied to a remote location to determine that our brake energy was 21.5 million foot pounds. That called for a 27-minute cooling period. We found a gate; had Maintenance take brake temperature readings; and let them cool for an additional 35 minutes in order for the temperatures to get well below the 350-degree range. After refueling; we were able to continue the flight.Approach Control must given Tower a little more separation between arriving aircraft to make departure sequencing easier.


Synopsis: A B737 flight crew and the Tower Controller involved; describe a rejected takeoff commanded by the Tower Controller due to the previous landing aircraft not completely clearing the runway. An aircraft on final is also sent around.