Narrow-Body, Workhorse Jet
The Boeing 737 is a short to medium-range, narrow-body, twin‑engine jet airliner. It is optimized for quick turnarounds, high utilization, and operations into airports that are too small or uneconomical for wide‑body aircraft like the 777. Most 737s are used for cross‑country and transcontinental flights. While the newer 737 MAX models have the range for some trans‑Atlantic routes (e.g.:U.S. East Coast to Western Europe), they are not designed for ultra‑long‑range oceanic missions.1 2
Modern 737s (“NG” series and the MAX) use advanced digital avionics, flight management systems, and autopilots with conventional control linkages with hydraulic assistance.1 The 737 MAX adds updated flight computers, new LEAP‑1B engines, and refined aerodynamics, including redesigned winglets, to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions and noise. 1 Typical cruise speed for the 737 family is roughly 515–530 mph / 829–853 km/h at cruise altitude. Modern 737s have ranges from 2,900–3,800 nautical miles (5,400–7,000 km).1
Inside, the 737 offers a single‑aisle cabin with a 2-2/3-3 or 3‑3 seating layout. The Sky Interior on many 737NG and 737 MAX aircraft features sculpted sidewalls, larger pivoting bins, and programmable LED lighting that gives the cabin a more spacious, modern feel, wide seats, more overhead luggage space, larger windows and improved pressurization and humidity levels, which improves passenger comfort on long-haul flights.1
There are four types of todays 737:1 3
There are four main generations of the 737: Original (-100/-200), Classic (-300/-400/-500), Next Generation “NG” (-600/-700/-800/-900), and the latest 737 MAX (-7/-8/-9/-10). For today’s travelers, the most common are the NG and MAX variants.
- The 737-700 seats up to 172 passengers with a range of 3,800nm (7,040km) .
- The 737-800 seats up to 210 passengers with a range of 3,500nm (6,480km).
- The 737-900 seats up to 220 passengers with a range of 3,300nm (6,110km).
- The 737MAX-10 is still waiting on certification but will seat up to 230 passengers with a range of 3,100nm (5,740km).
The carriers that fly the most 737s are:
- One World Alliance: Alaskan Airlines, American Airlines, Oman Air, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Fiji Airways and Japan Airlines.
- Sky Team Alliance: Air France, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Air, Saudia Airlines.
- Star Alliance: Air Canada, Air China, Air India, All Nippon Airways, EVA Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines.
- Allegiant, Flydubai, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryan Air, Sun Country and WestJet.
- Southwest Airlines:only flies 737s. It is the largest 737 operator in the world. It also has only a 3-3 seat configuration.
First Class vs Business Class seating and virtual tour
- First Class seating in the 737 in North America and Asia usually means wider 2‑2 recliner seats with more legroom.
- First Class is considered Business Class in Europe and is just the regular 3‑3 economy seat with the middle seat blocked and better service.
- To get a feel for the 737 cabin, take a virtual tour of a KLM 737-800 here: KLM 737-800 Tour.4
737-700
- This is the layout of a United 737-700 (126 passengers).
- First Class is a 2-2 seating.
- Economy Plus and Economy is a 3-3 seating.
- The layout of a KLM 737-700 (144 passengers).
- Business Class is a 3-3 seating (middle seat empty).
- Economy Comfort and Standard is a 3-3 seating.
If your upcoming flight is on a Sky Team flight, click here for a seat map of a KLM 737-700.5
On a Star Alliance flight, click here for a seat map of a United 737-700.6
A One World Alliance flight, click here for a seat map of an Alaska 737-700.7
737-800
- The layout of a Delta 737-800 (160 passengers).
- First Class is a 2-2 seating.
- Comfort and Main is a 3-3 seating.
- The layout of a Southwest 737-800 (175 passengers).
- There is only one cabin and thus a 3-3 seating.
If your upcoming flight is on a Sky Team flight, click here for a seat map of a Delta 737-800.8
On a Star Alliance flight, click here for a seat map of a Singapore Air 737-800.9
A One World Alliance flight, click here for a seat map of an Quantas 737-800.10
A Southwest Airlines flight, click here for a seat map of a Southwest 737-800.11
737-900
- The layout of an Alaska Airlines 737-900 (178 passengers).
- First Class is a 2-2 seating.
- Premium and Main is a 3-3 seating.
- The layout of a KLM 737-900 (188 passengers).
- First Class is a 3-3 seating (middle seat empty).
- Economy Comfort and Standard is a 3-3 seating.
If your upcoming flight is on a Sky Team flight, click here for a seat map of a KLM 737-900.5
On a Star Alliance flight, click here for a seat map of a United 737-900.6
A One World Alliance flight, click here for a seat map of an Alaska 737-900.7
Buddy and I
As Delta frequent fliers with Louisville as our home airport, Atlanta is the connecting hub we use the most. Delta flies 737-800s and 737-900s a lot between Louisville and Atlanta. We like the 737 for its quick boarding, 2-2 and 3-3 layout and good size overhead bins. A nice connecting flight aircraft.
Buddy and Jordan