Boeing

Boeing 737 MAX 8

7M8 B38M In Production

Core model of the fourth-generation 737 MAX family, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the direct successor to the best-selling 737-800. Two CFM LEAP-1B turbofans power it, seating about 162 passengers in two classes and up to 210 single-class over a range of roughly 6,570 km at 842 km/h. The type first flew in 2016. Following two fatal accidents, the MAX fleet was grounded worldwide for around 20 months before returning to service with revised flight-control software and additional safeguards. At 39.5 metres long with a 35.9-metre wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight of 82,191 kg, the MAX 8 remains in production as Boeing's principal single-aisle offering.

Dimensions

Length: 39.52 m
Wingspan: 35.92 m
Height: 12.30 m
Cabin Width: 3.54 m

Performance

Range: 6,570 km
Cruise Speed: 842 km/h
Max Speed: 876 km/h
Service Ceiling: 12,500 m
Category: long-haul

Capacity

Typical Seats: 162
Max Seats: 210
Cargo Volume: 28.20 m³
Size: narrow-body

Engines

Count: 2
Type: Turbofan
Model: CFM LEAP-1B

Airlines (22)

Southwest Airlines 86 American Airlines 37 Air Canada 28 United Airlines 27 Ryanair 16 WestJet 11 Turkish Airlines 7 Icelandair 7 Gol Transportes Aéreos 6 Jet Airways 5 AeroMéxico 5 Spicejet 4 LOT Polish Airlines 3 Caribbean Airlines 3 SunExpress 3 Carpatair Flight Training 2 Norwegian Air Shuttle 1 TUIfly Nordic 1 Royal Air Maroc 1 Travel Service 1 Fly Dubai 1 Cayman Airways 1

Family Variants

Boeing 737-200 Boeing 737-300 Boeing 737-400 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 9

Engine Profiles

CFM International LEAP-1B

Aircraft Systems

Head-Up Display (HUD) Winglet Technology

About Boeing 737 MAX 8

Core member of the 737 MAX family, successor to the best-selling 737-800. After a 20-month global grounding following two fatal crashes, the MAX 8 returned to service with enhanced safety systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 typically seats 162 passengers in a two-class configuration. In a high-density single-class layout, it can accommodate up to 210 passengers with the 737 MAX 8-200 variant ordered by Ryanair. The cabin features Boeing Sky Interior with sculpted sidewalls, LED lighting, and larger pivoting overhead bins compared to the 737 NG.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 has a maximum range of approximately 6,570 km (3,550 nautical miles), about 800 km more than the 737-800 it replaces. This extended range is achieved through the fuel-efficient CFM LEAP-1B engines and aerodynamic improvements including split-tip winglets. The additional range opens new direct routes that were previously not economical with the 737 NG.

The 737 MAX 8 has a slightly longer range than the A320neo (6,570 km vs 6,300 km) and offers marginally lower fuel burn per trip. However, the A320neo has a wider cabin by 16 cm, giving passengers more shoulder room. The MAX 8 uses exclusively CFM LEAP-1B engines, while the A320neo offers a choice between CFM LEAP-1A and Pratt & Whitney PW1100G.

The 737 MAX 8 is most easily identified by its distinctive split-tip winglets, which have both an upward and downward element unlike the blended winglets on the 737 NG. The LEAP-1B engines have larger, serrated nacelles with a scalloped trailing edge (chevrons). The landing gear is slightly taller than the 737 NG to accommodate the larger engine diameter.

The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded worldwide from March 2019 to late 2020 following two fatal crashes — Lion Air Flight 610 (October 2018) and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (March 2019), which together killed 346 people. The crashes were linked to the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) flight control software. Boeing subsequently redesigned the MCAS system, added redundant sensors, and implemented mandatory simulator training for pilots before the type was cleared to return to service.