Boeing

Boeing 737-400

734 B734 Out of Production

The Boeing 737-400 is the stretched member of the 737 Classic series, extending the 737-300 fuselage by about three metres to raise capacity. It seats about 146 passengers in two classes and up to 188 single-class, with two CFM56-3C1 turbofans giving a range near 5,000 km at 793 km/h. First flown in 1988, the -400 is 36.5 metres long with a 28.9-metre wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight of 62,820 kg. The added length made it the highest-capacity Classic, suited to busier short- and medium-range routes, and it served for years as a dependable narrow-body before the Next Generation family replaced it.

Dimensions

Length: 36.45 m
Wingspan: 28.88 m
Height: 11.13 m
Cabin Width: 3.54 m

Performance

Range: 5,000 km
Cruise Speed: 793 km/h
Max Speed: 876 km/h
Service Ceiling: 11,300 m
Category: medium-haul

Capacity

Typical Seats: 146
Max Seats: 188
Cargo Volume: 28.00 m³
Size: narrow-body

Engines

Count: 2
Type: Turbofan
Model: CFM56-3C1

Airlines (8)

Blue Air 8 Comair 2 Transaero Airlines 1 Air Explore 1 Peruvian Airlines 1 UTair Aviation 1 Al-Naser Airlines 1 Tajik Air 1

Family Variants

Boeing 737-200 Boeing 737-300 Boeing 737-500 Boeing 737-600 Boeing 737-700 Boeing 737-800 Boeing 737-900ER Boeing 737 MAX 10 Boeing 737 MAX 7 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Boeing 737 MAX 9

Engine Profiles

CFM International CFM56

About Boeing 737-400

Stretched variant of the 737 Classic series. The -400 added 3 meters of fuselage length over the -300, offering higher passenger capacity for busy short to medium-range routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Boeing 737-400 typically seats 146 passengers in a two-class configuration. In a single-class high-density layout, it can carry up to 168 passengers. At 36.4 m, it was a stretched version of the 737-300, adding 1.83 m of fuselage length fore and aft of the wing. The cabin width remains the standard 3.54 m with 3-3 seating.

The Boeing 737-400 has a maximum range of approximately 5,000 km (2,700 nautical miles). Like other 737 Classics, it uses two CFM56-3C1 engines in the higher-thrust configuration required for the heavier stretched airframe. The 737-400 was the first 737 variant to feature a tail skid to protect against tail strikes during rotation, necessitated by its longer fuselage.

The 737-800 (Next Generation) replaced the 737-400, offering 16 more passengers (162 vs 146 in two-class), significantly better range (5,765 km vs 5,000 km), and improved fuel efficiency. The 737-800 features a redesigned wing, modern cockpit displays, and larger CFM56-7B engines. The 737-800 became the best-selling 737 NG variant with over 4,900 deliveries, far surpassing the 737-400's 486 units.

The 737-400 shares the Classic-era features of shorter CFM56-3 engine nacelles and lack of winglets. It is longer than the 737-300 by approximately 3 m. The tail skid underneath the aft fuselage is a distinguishing feature not found on the shorter 737-300 or -500. The 737 Classic's smaller cockpit windows and rounded engine nacelles differentiate it from the 737 NG family.

Most Boeing 737-400s have been retired from passenger service in Western markets, though some remain active in developing regions. Many have been converted to freighters (737-400SF), extending their useful life in the cargo market. Alaska Airlines was a prominent operator before transitioning to the 737-800 and 737-900ER. A total of 486 units were delivered between 1988 and 2000.