• 

  Boeing

  Stock Code:

  BA

  Date Founded:

  1916-07-15

  CEO:

  Dave Calhoun

  Headquarters Location:

  Chicago, USA

  Key Product Lines:

  Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787

  Business Type:

  Planemaker

Summary

• The Boeing 737 MAX series, including the 7, 8, and 9 variants, is gaining popularity and is being ordered by several airlines to enhance their fleets and routes.
• The MAX 10 is the largest variant, followed by the MAX 9. The MAX 7 is the smallest but shares the same wingspan as its larger counterparts.
• The family of single-aisle jets offers increased range and fuel efficiency compared to the previous 737NG family, with the MAX 7 having the longest range.

After a slow start to the decade, following its grounding in early 2020, the MAX is regaining speed and is now a common site worldwide once again. Several carriers continue to bet on the single-aisle jets, placing significant orders to enhance their fleets.

The Boeing 737 MAX will likely be a staple for short-haul travel for years to come. It has been offered in four variants: the MAX 7, 8, 9, and stretched MAX 10. The first three replace the -700, -800, and -900 versions of Boeing's 737NG family, the best-selling commercial aircraft family in aviation history. With the MAX series racking up more and more orders, let us take a look at the main differences between its 7, 8, and 9 variants.

Size matters

One of the main differences is in size, particularly the length. As you may have guessed, the MAX 9 is the largest of the three we are comparing today, with a length of 138 ft 4 in (42.16 m). This version features an auxiliary fuel tank, giving it the same range as the MAX 8 despite being larger - a topic we will explain later. Its presence is a crucial selling point, as it means airlines don't have to comprise between size and range.

However, the MAX 9 is the second largest in the family after the MAX 10, which is 143 ft 8 in (43.8 m) long. The popular MAX 8 has a length of 129 ft 8 in (39.52 m), while the MAX 7 measures a smaller 116 ft 8 in (35.56 m). Despite its shorter fuselage, the MAX 7 shares the same wingspan as its larger counterparts, measuring 117 ft 10 in (35.9 m). All variants also share the same overall height of 40 ft 4 in (12.29 m).

What about range?

The primary reason to build the 737 MAX was to offer airlines more range and better efficiency, taking on the Airbus A320neo. Boeing achieved this by equipping all models with the new LEAP-1B engines from CFM International. The new engines and design changes made the 737 MAX over 14% more fuel-efficient than the 737NG family, an essential factor in today's cost-driven industry.

In terms of range, the smallest member of the family can travel the furthest of the three. The MAX 7 has a range of 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 kilometers), while the MAX 8 and 9 have a slightly lower range of 3,550 nautical miles (6,570 kilometers). This allows the aircraft to narrowly beat the 3,500 NM (6,482 km) mark set by the A320neo but still comes in below the A321neo's 4,000 NM (7,408 km).

The Boeing 737 MAX 9 offers the same range as the MAX 8 of up to 3,515 NM (6,510 km) due to the addition of an auxiliary fuel tank. The MAX 10 also uses an additional fuel tank to increase its range to 3,300 NM (6,111 km). Such tanks have become common at Airbus and Boeing as they try to make their narrowbodies travel as far as possible due to such aircraft featuring more often on longer flights.

Seating capacity

The critical factor for most airlines is how many passengers they can fit in the aircraft. Operators have a lot of liberty to decide the cabins, seat size, and layout, with seating capacity varying across airlines. For instance, Ryanair has squeezed almost 200 seats in its 737 MAX 8, now known as the MAX-200. On the other hand, American Airlines' MAX 8 seats 172 passengers in a two-class configuration.

According to Boeing's specifications, the average 737 MAX 7 aircraft would seat anywhere between 138 and 153 passengers, with a maximum of 172. The MAX 8 would seat about 162 to 178 passengers, with the 737-8-200 extending this to 210 seats. The longer MAX 9 would seat 178 to 193 passengers, with a maximum of 220 depending on the configuration. The seating capacity of the MAX you're flying solely depends on the airline you're flying with and whether they are low-cost or full service.

As of November 2023, over 1,200 Boeing 737 MAX series aircraft are in active service, spread across about 80 airlines worldwide. As it stands, the highest capacity examples are MAX 9s at Lion Air and SCAT Airlines. These carriers fly the type in all-economy layouts with 220 and 213 seats, respectively.

Commercial success

But how exactly do the three models compare when it comes to their sales figures? Let's start with 737 MAX 7. According to ch-aviation's fleet module, the smallest variant of Boeing's next-generation narrowbody twinjet series has generated approximately 358 orders. Southwest is responsible for most of these, while Allegiant also has several on order. Boeing expects delivery of the type to start in 2024.

Moving on to the larger variants, the MAX 8 is by far the most popular, with orders that have long since exceeded the four-figure mark. There are currently about 1,000 of the type in active service with 69 carriers and over 2,800 still to be delivered. This represents over half of all MAX orders. Meanwhile, the MAX 9 hasn't been quite such a hit. Boeing has delivered just over 200 of them to 11 carriers. Among them is Air Tanzania, which recently made history by receiving Africa's first 737-9. However, about 115 remain on order.

What do you make of the Boeing 737 MAX 7, 8, and 9 variants? How many of them have you flown on? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!