Boeing 737-800: Overview, Features & Specs

General Information

Manufacturer: Boeing

Role: Narrow-body jet airliner

First flight: July 31, 1997

Primary airlines: American Airlines, Ryanair, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines 

Passenger seating: 178-189

Models: 737-800BCF, 737-900

Features

• Two CFM International CFM56-7B27 turbofan engines
• Redesigned wing with a wider wingspan and larger area, and greater fuel capacity
• Glass cockpit with Rockwell Collins avionics
• Upgraded interior configurations

Interior Diagram

Fun Facts

• The 737 Next Generation (NG) is the name given to the 737-600, 737-700/-700ER, 737-800, and 737-900/-900ER variants. 
• The Boeing 737-800 is a stretched version of the 737-700.
• The 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 L) of jet fuel per hour.
• The 737-800 is the most common variant of the 737NG (Next Generation) family.
• The Irish airline, Ryanair, serving routes across Europe, Middle East and North Africa, is one of the largest operators with a fleet of over four hundred 737-800 aircraft.
• In 2011, the 737-800 was the first U.S. commercial flight powered by a blend of algae-derived biofuel and traditional jet fuel in order to reduce its carbon footprint. The flight was from Houston to Chicago and operated by United Airlines. 

Type Rating

Pilots must earn their type rating in the Boeing 737-800 to be qualified to fly this aircraft. In most cases, the airline you fly for will get you type-rated.

Are you ready to learn to fly a Boeing 737-800?

Have you always wanted to become a commercial pilot and fly for the airlines? We have trained thousands of commercial airline pilots who are now flying for airlines all around the world, and we can train you! The pilot life is full of camaraderie and adventure, and the pay is good, too. If you’d like to find out if you qualify for flight school, we’d love to hear from you and help you achieve your dream of becoming a pilot!