The Boeing 737 MAX 8 Vs The 737-800: What’s the Difference?

The Boeing 737-800 and its next-generation counterpart, the MAX series, are the third and fourth generation of the American manufacturer’s popular short-haul airliner. The latter has the latest technology, exemplary fuel efficiency and more advanced construction than its predecessors. However, there are serious questions regarding the safety of the type. So how exactly do the 737-800 and the MAX series compare?

What are the main differences?

The basic specifications of the different third generation Boeing 737 models are as follows:

A general trend is that the range of the aircraft is slightly longer among the smaller variants. However, this is not the case with the 737-900ER (“Extended Range”), which can fly slightly further than the smaller 737-800.

The same specifications for the fourth generation 737 MAX series models are as follows:

While the same range models exist as above, it is clear that the basic range and carrying capacity of these aircraft are far superior to previous models. An interesting aspect is the difference between the 737 MAX 8 and the MAX 9. Although the latter can hold more passengers, this has no detrimental cost to its operating range.

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Ryanair has placed 135 firm orders (plus 75 options) for the 737 MAX-200. This is a high-capacity version with room for 200 passengers in seats with a narrow wheelbase of just 28 inches. The Irish low-cost carrier hopes to start taking delivery of these aircraft in early 2021.

Comparing the 737 MAX 8 directly to the 737-800 on numbers alone, it quickly becomes apparent that the new MAX series has a longer range and the ability to carry 18 more paying customers. As such, from a statistical perspective, it is a clear winner.

How much do they cost?

According to Boeing, the list prices for the different 737 models are as follows:

Third generation

• 737-700: $ 89.1 million
• 737-800: $ 106.1 million
• 737-900ER: $ 112.6 million

MAX Series

• MAX 7: $ 99.7 million
• MAX 8: $ 121.6 million
• MAX 9: $ 128.9 million
• MAX 10: $ 134.9 million

These figures show that the MAX 8 costs $ 20 million more than the third-generation 737-800. In fact, only the smaller MAX 7 comes close to the affordability of the previous model. However, there is a price to pay for the significant technological innovation that has been invested in the MAX series.

However, Boeing knows that a significant upgrade needs to be provided over the planes currently in use with such a significant price difference. This should help convince airlines to make a financial commitment to upgrade their fleet. This will represent a particularly important investment for Southwest Airlines, which has ordered 280 MAX series aircraft.

How do order books compare?

According to Boeing, the order data for the two types as of June 2020 is as follows:

737-800: 4,991 orders (4,989 delivered)
737 MAX: 4,559 orders (387 delivered)

The 737-800 has been on sale since 1993 when it was first announced. This, therefore, represents an average order of approximately 185 aircraft per year over 27 years. The Boeing 737 MAX has slightly fewer total orders, but has only been on the market for nine years since 2011. This therefore represents a higher annual average of around 506 orders per year.

Safety issues

Despite the broad promise of its new technology and favorable specifications over the 737-800, Boeing’s MAX series has been grounded since March 2019. This is the result of the following two fatalities involving the MAX, which occurred in less than six months away.

After the second tragedy, it quickly became clear that both planes crashed under similar circumstances. This raised widespread safety concerns of the type, which was then grounded around the world just three days later. This has had a significant operational effect for many airlines. Norwegian has even gone so far as to seek compensation from Boeing for the seabed.

Since aviation safety authorities around the world ordered the MAX series to be grounded, Boeing has been working hard to address the safety concerns surrounding the aircraft. Over 18 months later, Simple Flying reported in October that Boeing’s modifications had been approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Consequently, the recertification of the type in Europe should take place by the end of the year.

The upcoming recertification prompted airlines to start making plans for their reintroduction of the type. For example, Ryanair plans to operate between 30 and 40 of the type across its dense European network by next summer. American Airlines, meanwhile, aims to reintroduce the MAX on flights between New York and Miami as early as December.

Chinese recertification is not forthcoming

However, this is not the case with all aviation safety authorities worldwide. Simple Flying also reported last month that a return to the Chinese air market was not on the horizon for the Boeing 737 MAX. Although his return is not imminent, however, it is also unlikely that it will ever occur. In fact, the head of the Chinese civil aviation administration, Feng Zhenglin, would have had two meetings with the Boeing president regarding the reintroduction of the type. He claims that:

“[The CAAC] is happy to see the aircraft resume commercial operations in China if the three principles proposed to address safety issues can be respected “.

Conclusion

Barring further obstacles to the MAX program due to current events, Boeing intends to launch a fifth generation model of the 737 in 2030. This will be based on the technology used in the 787 and 777X.

All in all, the Boeing 737 MAX, with its favorable features, looks like a superior alternative to the third generation Boeing 737-800. While it is true that there is a significant difference in cost, this is reflected in the mass of modern technological advantages that the MAX offers its operators.

The tragedies involving the MAX series that led to its founding are not to be forgotten. One can only hope that, with recertification of the type now imminent, Boeing has been able to correct its safety concerns so that the tragic loss of life involving the MAX does not happen again.