Things people “know” about the 737-800
Some are half true. Some are just wrong.
Myth A 737-800 and a 737 MAX 8 are different lengths.
Fact Lengths, from Boeing’s current tables: 737-700 33.6 m (110 ft 4 in), 737-800 39.5 m (129 ft 6 in), 737-900 42.1 m (138 ft 2 in). Boeing: 737 Next Generation (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
Myth Every 737 has two overwing exits each side.
Fact The shorter 737-700 has one overwing exit on each side, which is a handy way to tell them apart. EASA: Type-Certificate Data Sheet IM.A.120, Boeing 737, Issue 30 (PDF) The 737-800 has two Type III overwing emergency exits on each side of the cabin. EASA: Type-Certificate Data Sheet IM.A.120, Boeing 737, Issue 30 (PDF)
Myth Winglets are just decoration.
Fact 737-700s, -800s and -900s were also delivered with winglets, for better cruise performance. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF)
Myth The 737 was designed with the engines on the tail.
Fact Mounting the engines under the wing freed up room for more seats, buffered some noise and made maintenance easier at ground level. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF)
Myth The first 737s seated five across.
Fact Six-abreast seating was a selling point: the rival Douglas DC-9 seated five abreast. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF)
Myth The 737-800 needs three pilots.
Fact Minimum flight crew: two, a pilot and co-pilot. EASA: Type-Certificate Data Sheet IM.A.120, Boeing 737, Issue 30 (PDF) Its two-person flight deck, with no flight engineer, became standard among airlines. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF)
Myth The 737-800 only ever carried passengers.
Fact 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) 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
Myth The 737-800 was the first 737 ever built.
Fact The first 737 (a 737-100) first flew on 9 April 1967. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF) It was the 2,906th 737 built and the 6,508th commercial aeroplane Boeing had built at Renton. Boeing news release: Boeing introduces longest 737 ever (30 Jun 1997)
Myth Every source agrees on the 737-800’s seat count.
Fact Seats, from Boeing’s current table: 160–180 in two classes, maximum 189 passengers. Boeing: 737 Next Generation (product page and spec table) · checked 29 Oct 2026 Boeing’s airport planning manual uses 160 seats two-class and 184 all-economy for the 737-800. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF) Boeing’s history booklet describes the 737-800 as a 162- to 189-seat aircraft. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF)
Myth The MAX and the 737-800 use the same engine.
Fact 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 Engines: two CFM56-7B turbofans by CFM International. Boeing: 737 Next Generation (product page and spec table) · checked 29 Oct 2026