The 737-800 and its relatives
The -800 sits in the middle of the Next-Generation family, and it became a freighter, a business jet and a Navy patrol aircraft too.
Jump to: Next-Generation | BBJ2 | Freighter | P-8A | The MAX
The Next-Generation 737s
By 1993 customers had ordered 3,100 737s, and Boeing was developing the Next-Generation 737s: the -600, -700, -800 and -900. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF) Boeing certified and delivered the first three Next-Generation models in less than a year. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF)
The 737-700 was launched in November 1993 and first delivered in December 1997. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF) The 737-600 was first delivered in 1998 and the 737-900 in 2001. Customers began ordering the longer-range 737-900ER in 2005. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF)
The 737-900 is 96 in longer than the -800: a 54 in section was added ahead of the wing and a 42 in section behind it. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF) The 737-900ER has extra exit doors behind the wing, for up to 215 passengers. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF)
Our chart of the figures quoted by each source.
The BBJ2 business jet
The BBJ2 business jet, announced in October 1999, is based on the 737-800, with 25% more cabin space and twice the cargo space of the original BBJ. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF) A BBJ2 leaves the factory with no interior furnishings; the customer installs its own, and it has winglets. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF)
The 737-800 freighter
Boeing launched the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) in February 2016. The -800 was the first Next-Generation 737 it offered for conversion. Boeing news release: Boeing launches Next-Generation 737 Boeing Converted Freighter (Feb 2016) Conversion adds a large main-deck cargo door, a cargo-handling system and seats for up to four non-flying crew or passengers. Boeing news release: Boeing launches Next-Generation 737 Boeing Converted Freighter (Feb 2016)
A 737-800BCF carries up to 52,800 lb (23.9 tonnes) in 12 main-deck pallet positions: 11 standard pallets and one half-pallet. Boeing news release: Boeing launches Next-Generation 737 Boeing Converted Freighter (Feb 2016) At the 2016 launch Boeing said the freighter flies routes of nearly 2,000 nautical miles (3,690 km). Boeing news release: Boeing launches Next-Generation 737 Boeing Converted Freighter (Feb 2016)
The first 737-800BCF was delivered on 19 April 2018. Boeing news release: Boeing delivers first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (19 Apr 2018) At the first delivery in 2018 Boeing gave its range as 2,000 nautical miles (3,750 km). Boeing news release: Boeing delivers first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (19 Apr 2018)
The FAA certificated the 737-800BCF on 6 April 2018 and EASA validated it on 12 April 2018. EASA: Type-Certificate Data Sheet IM.A.120, Boeing 737, Issue 30 (PDF) On a 737-800BCF freighter, the overwing exits and the rear entry and service doors are all deactivated. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF)
The P-8A Poseidon
The US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon combines the 737-800 airframe with -900 wings, a weapons bay and pylons. US Navy fact file: P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft The Navy says the P-8A is built on an in-line commercial assembly process, with military modifications added after final assembly. US Navy fact file: P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft
P-8A: two CFM56-7B engines of 27,300 lb thrust each; length 129.5 ft (39.47 m); wingspan 123.6 ft (37.64 m); crew of nine. US Navy fact file: P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft Its FAA designator is ‘P8’, listed as the 737-800 Poseidon. FAA Order JO 7360.1K, Aircraft Type Designators (effective 12 Jun 2025, PDF) · checked 29 Oct 2026
The 737 MAX
Boeing’s current MAX table lists four models: 737-7, 737-8, 737-9 and 737-10. Boeing: 737 MAX (product page and spec table) · checked 29 Oct 2026 The 737-8 (MAX 8): 160–180 seats two-class, up to 3,500 nmi (6,480 km), 35.9 m (117 ft 10 in) span, 12.3 m (40 ft 4 in) high. Boeing: 737 MAX (product page and spec table) · checked 29 Oct 2026
Boeing lists the 737-8 at a maximum of 210 seats and up to 82,640 kg (182,200 lb) maximum take-off weight. Boeing: 737 MAX (product page and spec table) · checked 29 Oct 2026 The 737 MAX 8 is the same length as the 737-800, 39.5 m (129 ft 6 in), so length alone won’t separate them. Boeing: 737 MAX (product page and spec table) · checked 29 Oct 2026
The 737 MAX family uses CFM International LEAP-1B engines; the 737NG uses the CFM56-7B. Boeing: 737 MAX (product page and spec table) · checked 29 Oct 2026 The 737 MAX 8 has its own designator, B38M, so a tracker can tell you which one you’re looking at. FAA Order JO 7360.1K, Aircraft Type Designators (effective 12 Jun 2025, PDF) · checked 29 Oct 2026
737-800 figures depend on the options an aircraft was built with, the seating layout an operator chose and the document you read. Boeing’s own product page, its airport planning manual and its older news releases don’t always give the same number. Each figure on this site links to who said it, and figures from live web pages show the date we checked them. See when sources disagree for every difference side by side.
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