China Aviation News Network: According to Simple Flight on March 29, the Boeing 737NG and 737MAX series are popular narrow-body aircraft, but the two have many similarities and differences.
Although 737MAX has the latest technology and excellent fuel efficiency , it has to overcome the security challenges it faces. With this in mind, how should we distinguish between 737-800 and MAX 8?
737NG VS 737MAX
First of all, the body difference. Starting with the 737NG series, the basic specifications of the models are as follows:
In smaller models, longer range is a common trend because these models carry too much passenger. Although the larger 737-900ER is longer than the smaller 737-800, this model benefits from its "extended range" model. The specifications of the fourth generation 737MAX series models of
are as follows:
Although there is the same range mode as above, it is obvious that the basic range and carrying capacity of these aircraft are far better than previous models. Compared with 737MAX 8 and MAX 9, although the latter can accommodate more passengers, this will not adversely affect its running cost .
The difference between them is that 737-800 is the third place in the 737NG series, while MAX 8 is second in the MAX series.
Capacity is king
MAX 8 has a larger capacity. According to relevant data from the airline, Ryanair ordered 57 737MAX aircraft. This aircraft has a seat spacing of only 28 inches and can accommodate 197 passengers.
compares the 737MAX 8 directly with the 737-800 data, and finds that the newer MAX series has a longer range and is able to carry an additional 18 passengers in a two-cabin setup. The high-density layout of the MAX also allows for more than one passenger in the 737-800 level. So, the 737MAX 8 is obviously the winner.
What are their value?
According to the information released by Boeing , the price of different 737 models is as follows:
3rd generation
737-700: US$89.1 million
737-800: US$106.1 million
737-900: US$112.6 million
MAX series
MAX 7: US$99.7 million
MAX 8: US$121.6 million
MAX 9: US$128.9 million
MAX 10: US$134.9 million
MAX 0 These data show that MAX 8 costs $15 million more than the third-generation 737-800. In fact, only the smaller MAX 7 is close to the carrying capacity of the older models.
Nevertheless, Boeing is clear that it needs to make major upgrades to the aircraft currently in operation to justify the price difference, which also helps convince airlines to make a commitment to upgrade their fleet.
Southwest Airlines has received 69 MAX 8s and 142 more are waiting to be delivered. In addition, 264 MAX 7s will be obtained. It is worth noting that airlines rarely pay according to the price of the aircraft, but instead enjoy discounts when purchasing in bulk.
Order volume comparison
As of February 2022, the order volume of the two models is as follows:
737-800: 4991 orders (accounting for 70% of the 737NG series).
737MAX 8: 2255 orders (accounting for 46% of the overall MAX series).
737-800 has been on sale since its first release in 1993. Therefore, an average of about 172 aircraft were ordered each year over the past 29 years. However, the last batch of this type was delivered in 2020.
Meanwhile, the total orders for Boeing 737 MAX are slightly smaller, but it has only been on the market for 11 years. Therefore, this represents a higher annual average order volume, with approximately 205 orders per year.
Security Issues
Although its new technology and good specifications have broad prospects compared to 737-800, Boeing's MAX series was grounded in March 2019. The second is caused by the following two fatal crashes involving MAX.
Lion Air Flight JT610 ( Indonesia , October 29, 2018, 189 people died)
Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302 ( Ethiopian , March 10, 2019, 157 people died)
Both aircraft crashed under similar circumstances, which caused widespread security concerns. Just three days later, the model was grounded worldwide. Many airline operations have had a major chain reaction, and Norwegian Airlines even demanded compensation from Boeing for this matter.
Since the global aviation safety department ordered the grounding of the MAX series, Boeing has been working hard to solve aircraft safety issues. After 20 months of stagnation, regulators began re-certifying MAX in October 2020 and re-entered the operations of the Argent Airways in November.
Unless the current event creates any further obstacles to the MAX plan, Boeing will plan to launch the fifth-generation 737 models as scheduled in 2030, which will be based on the 787 and 777X technologies. To sum up, the Boeing 737MAX 8 is the best alternative to the third-generation Boeing 737-800 with its good specifications. Although there are significant differences in cost, the high cost is reflected in the large number of modern technology advantages of the MAX 8.
