The Boeing 737 family is a series of narrow-body, twin engine jet airliners developed by Boeing. Since its introduction in the 1960s the 737 has become the best selling airliner in history before losing it to the A320 in 2025. The family is designed for short to medium haul flights, offering a variety of configurations for different capacities, ranges and operational needs.

Variants

B737-200

Introduced in the late 1960s, the 737-200 is the original Boeing 737 model designed for short- to medium-haul routes. It features twin rear-mounted engines and became known for its rugged design, reliability, and ability to operate from shorter runways. It was widely adopted globally and laid the foundation for the 737 family.

B737-300

The 737-300 launched the Classic series in the 1980s with improved CFM56 turbofan engines, offering better fuel efficiency, range, and noise reduction compared to earlier models. It seats about 130 passengers and became popular for both domestic and regional routes due to its operational flexibility.

B737-400

The 737-400 is a stretched version of the -300, increasing capacity to around 150 passengers. It maintained the same wing and engine design but targeted higher-demand routes with more passengers, becoming a staple for many airlines in the 1980s and 1990s.

B737-500

The 737-500 is a shortened Classic variant designed to replace the aging 737-200, combining the smaller fuselage length with updated engines and avionics. It seats about 110-120 passengers and is well-suited for lower-demand short-haul flights, offering improved fuel efficiency and reliability.

B737-600

As the smallest member of the Next Generation (NG) family, the 737-600 replaces the 737-500 with a more modern design, featuring updated avionics, improved aerodynamics, and better fuel economy. It typically seats around 110 passengers and is targeted at regional routes.

B737-700

The 737-700 is a very popular NG model with seating for approximately 140 passengers. It combines improved fuel efficiency, range, and modern cockpit technology. Airlines widely use it for both short and medium-haul flights, thanks to its balanced performance and operating costs.

B737-800

The 737-800 is the workhorse of the NG family, stretching the fuselage to accommodate about 160 passengers. It offers excellent fuel efficiency and reliability, making it one of the best-selling single-aisle jets worldwide. It's common on short and medium-haul international and domestic routes.

B737-900

The 737-900 is the largest Next Generation variant, designed to compete with larger narrowbodies and regional jets. It seats up to 180 passengers with a longer fuselage and advanced systems but has a slightly reduced range compared to smaller siblings. It's popular for high-demand routes requiring more seats without moving to widebody aircraft.

B737-MAX-7

The MAX 7 is the smallest member of the 737 MAX family, designed as a modern replacement for the 737-700. It seats around 172 passengers and offers improved fuel efficiency, longer range, and lower emissions thanks to new CFM LEAP-1B engines and advanced aerodynamics. Ideal for airlines needing flexibility on both short and medium-haul routes. However as of June 2025 this variant is still not in service.

B737-MAX-8

The 737 MAX 8 is the most popular MAX variant, seating about 178 passengers. It combines extended range (up to 6,570 km), enhanced fuel efficiency, and updated avionics to compete directly with the Airbus A320neo. Its versatility and operating cost savings have made it a backbone for many carriers worldwide.

B737-MAX-9

The MAX 9 is a stretched version of the MAX 8, offering around 193 seats and targeting higher-capacity routes. It retains the MAX family's fuel-saving technologies and range capabilities, making it suitable for airlines that need more seats without sacrificing efficiency on medium-haul flights.