Sources

Where the facts come from

Every factual claim on this site links to its source. This is the full list.

How we checked

Each fact was written alongside its source. Our build script stores the source text and, for every fact, checks that the key words and figures really appear in it. 112 of 112 checks passed when this site was last built (checked 29 Oct 2026). Where we couldn’t read a source, we left the claim out. Archived pages are cited through the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine with their capture date.

Figures that change

Live product pages, company statements and running totals change. Facts like these are marked “checked 29 Oct 2026”. Older counts, such as orders in 1997 or 1998, are given with their year and are not current figures. We don’t print a current fleet count, because we haven’t found an official, dated one we can cite.

What we leave out

This is a site about the aircraft, its history and how to recognise it. It doesn’t cover accidents, and it makes no claims about safety records or safety performance. It also doesn’t rank or review airlines.

Boeing (12)

EASA (1)

EASA: Type-Certificate Data Sheet IM.A.120, Boeing 737, Issue 30 (PDF) (10 facts)

The FAA (1)

FAA Order JO 7360.1K, Aircraft Type Designators (effective 12 Jun 2025, PDF) (3 facts)

The US Navy (1)

US Navy fact file: P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (3 facts)

CFM International (2)

CFM International: CFM56-5B & CFM56-7B (3 facts)
CFM: The technology behind the CFM56-7B (archived 29 Feb 2012) (3 facts)

When sources disagree

Where sources give different figures, we show all of them, with links, and say how we handle it.

How many seats?

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)
The -800 is a stretched 737-400 for 160 to 189 passengers, with a new, larger wing, higher cruise speed, more range and new engines. Boeing news release: Boeing introduces longest 737 ever (30 Jun 1997)

How we handle it: Boeing’s current page says 160–180 in two classes and a maximum of 189. Its airport planning manual uses a 160-seat two-class and a 184-seat all-economy layout for planning. Its history booklet says 162 to 189, and the 1997 roll-out release says 160 to 189. Real cabins vary by operator. We quote each with its source.

Maximum take-off weight

Maximum take-off weight: 79,010 kg (174,200 lb). Boeing: 737 Next Generation (product page and spec table) · checked 29 Oct 2026
Its maximum design take-off weights range from 155,500 lb (70,533 kg) to 174,200 lb (79,015 kg), depending on the option chosen. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF)
EASA’s type certificate data sheet lists maximum certified masses of 79,015 kg (174,200 lb) for take-off and 66,360 kg (146,300 lb) for landing. EASA: Type-Certificate Data Sheet IM.A.120, Boeing 737, Issue 30 (PDF)

How we handle it: 174,200 lb everywhere, but Boeing’s product page converts it to 79,010 kg while its airport manual and EASA give 79,015 kg. Boeing’s manual also lists lower options, down to 155,500 lb.

How much fuel?

In February 1997 Boeing gave the Next-Generation fuel capacity as 6,878 US gallons (26,136 litres). Boeing news release: Boeing Next-Generation 737 takes to the skies (9 Feb 1997)
Usable fuel: 6,875 US gallons (26,024 litres), about 20,897 kg. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF)

How we handle it: In 1997 Boeing gave 6,878 US gallons (26,136 litres) for the Next-Generation wing; its current airport manual gives 6,875 US gallons (26,024 litres) usable fuel. The 1997 figure may not be “usable” fuel; the release doesn’t say.

When was the first one delivered?

Boeing announced the first 737-800 delivery, to launch customer Hapag-Lloyd of Germany, on 23 April 1998: the first of 16 the airline had ordered. Boeing news release: First Next-Generation 737-800 goes to Hapag-Lloyd (23 Apr 1998)
Boeing’s own 2004 milestone table for the 737-800: first order 5 Sep 1994, roll-out 30 Jun 1997, first flight 31 Jul 1997, FAA certification 13 Mar 1998, first delivery 22 Apr 1998, in service 24 Apr 1998. Boeing: 737 family background page (archived 9 Dec 2004)

How we handle it: Boeing’s 2004 table gives 22 April 1998 for first delivery; the news release announcing it is dated 23 April 1998. We give 23 April 1998 as the date Boeing announced it.

How far can the freighter fly?

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)
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)

How we handle it: Both say about 2,000 nautical miles, but the 2016 release converts it to 3,690 km and the 2018 release to 3,750 km. (2,000 nautical miles is about 3,704 km, so both are rounded differently.)