Narrowbody airliners · Boeing
Boeing 737-800 B738
The Boeing 737-800 is a single-aisle twinjet seating about 162 to 189 passengers and the best-selling version of the 737 Next Generation family. It is often the single most common aircraft type in the sky over the United States at any given moment. Its balance of size, range and economics made it the default narrowbody of the 2000s and 2010s.
737-800s airborne over the US now
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of all airborne aircraftplus — on the ground
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737-800s in the air over the last 24 hours
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Specifications
- ICAO code
- B738
- First flight
- 1997
- Typical cruise
- 450 kt / 518 mph
- Service ceiling
- 41,000 ft
- Range
- 2,900 nm / 3,337 mi
- Capacity
- 162-189 seats
- Length
- 39.5 m / 130 ft
- Wingspan
- 35.8 m / 117 ft
Engines: 2 x CFM56-7B turbofans. Family: 737 Next Generation. Figures are typical published values, rounded; real performance depends on variant, weight and conditions.
What it does in US skies
American, United, Southwest, Alaska and Delta all fly large 737-800 fleets on domestic, Caribbean and Mexico routes. Converted 737-800BCF freighters also fly for parcel carriers.
Main US operators: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines.
How to recognize a 737-800
- Long 737 body with two pairs of overwing exits.
- Blended winglets or split scimitar winglets at the wingtips.
- Flattened-bottom engine nacelles slung close under the wing.
- Pointed tail cone; the 737 MAX has a blunt one.
How it looks on a flight tracker
Typically cruises at FL330 to FL390 at 420 to 520 kt. Very common callsigns are AAL, UAL, SWA, ASA and DAL; a quick look at the home page top-types chart usually shows B738 near the top.
History
The 737-800 entered service with Hapag-Lloyd Flug in 1998. Roughly 5,000 were built, making it one of the most produced jetliner variants ever.
Where 737-800s are right now
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What is the ICAO code for the Boeing 737-800?
The ICAO aircraft type designator for the Boeing 737-800 is B738. Flight trackers and flight plans use this four-character code.
How fast does the 737-800 fly?
The Boeing 737-800 typically cruises at about 450 knots true airspeed (about 518 mph). Ground speed on a tracker varies with the wind.
How high can the 737-800 fly?
Its service ceiling is about 41,000 ft.