The world's most-produced commercial jet and the backbone of short-haul aviation. If you see a narrowbody overhead, there's a good chance it's this one.
✈ Scan Your Sky NowThe Boeing 737-800 is the fourth-generation variant of the world's best-selling commercial aircraft family. Introduced in 1998 as a stretched, re-engined evolution of the original 737, it became the dominant short-to-medium-haul aircraft for low-cost carriers worldwide.
Ryanair operates the world's largest 737-800 fleet with over 400 aircraft, making it by far the most common aircraft in European skies. easyJet, Southwest Airlines, and dozens of other carriers built their entire business models around its economics. Over 4,700 were delivered before production ended in favour of the MAX variants.
The 737-800 is a classic twin-engine narrowbody — one engine under each wing, swept back at roughly 25 degrees. The fuselage is relatively slim compared to a widebody. Look for the distinctive split scimitar winglets on later variants — curved fins at the wingtip that angle both up and down.
On approach you'll often see the landing gear deploy early — the 737's engines are mounted close to the ground requiring the main gear to be quite short. The nose appears slightly drooped compared to an Airbus. From below, it's hard to miss the CFM56 engines in their distinctive flat-bottomed pods.