Foldable Mobile Buying Guide
Samsung • Google • Motorola • Oppo • Huawei
The Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families represent the backbone of short to medium-haul commercial aviation worldwide. These single-aisle workhorses dominate airline fleets globally, with thousands flying daily routes across continents. While they might appear similar to casual travelers, these aircraft embody fundamentally different design philosophies and engineering approaches. This comprehensive comparison explores their key differences, similarities, and what makes each unique in the competitive aviation marketplace.
Historical Development & Evolution
The Boeing 737 first entered service in 1968, making it significantly older than the Airbus A320, which began commercial operations in 1988. This 20-year head start gave Boeing a substantial market advantage, but Airbus designed the A320 specifically to challenge Boeing's dominance in the single-aisle market.
Boeing's 737 has evolved through multiple generations: the Original series (737-100/200), Classic series (737-300/400/500), Next Generation or NG (737-600/700/800/900), and the latest MAX series (737 MAX 7/8/9/10). Each generation brought improvements in efficiency, range, and passenger capacity.
Airbus followed a different strategy with the A320 family, maintaining greater commonality across its variants. The family includes the standard A320, smaller A319 and A318, and stretched A321. In 2016, Airbus introduced the A320neo (new engine option) family, featuring improved engines and aerodynamic refinements for better fuel efficiency.
Stay Updated on Aviation Developments
Want to keep up with the latest news and developments in commercial aviation? Join our newsletter for weekly updates on aircraft technology, airline industry trends, and more.
Subscribe to Aviation UpdatesTechnical Specifications & Design Philosophy
The most fundamental difference between these aircraft lies in their design philosophy. Boeing has maintained evolutionary development of the 737, building upon its original 1960s design while incorporating modern technology. Airbus, starting with a clean sheet in the 1980s, embraced computerization and fly-by-wire technology from the beginning.
Physical Dimensions
| Specification | Boeing 737-800 (NG) | Airbus A320-200 |
| Length | 39.5 m (129 ft 7 in) | 37.57 m (123 ft 3 in) |
| Wingspan | 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in) | 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in) |
| Cabin Width | 3.53 m (11 ft 7 in) | 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 12.5 m (41 ft) | 11.76 m (38 ft 7 in) |
| Typical Seating | 162 passengers | 150 passengers |
| Maximum Seating | 189 passengers | 180 passengers |
Cockpit Design & Flight Controls
One of the most significant differences between these aircraft is their flight control philosophy. Boeing uses a traditional control yoke connected to hydraulically boosted control surfaces, providing pilots with direct tactile feedback. Airbus pioneered fly-by-wire technology in commercial aviation, using a sidestick controller that sends electrical signals to the control surfaces.
The Airbus system includes flight envelope protection, which prevents pilots from exceeding certain parameters that could compromise safety. Boeing's approach gives pilots more direct control but requires greater vigilance to stay within safe operating limits.
Boeing 737 Cockpit Features
- Traditional floor-mounted control yoke
- Direct mechanical connection to control surfaces
- More traditional analog-style instruments (older models)
- Slanted windshield design
- Throttle levers with physical detents
Airbus A320 Cockpit Features
- Side-stick controller
- Fly-by-wire electronic control system
- Digital glass cockpit from inception
- Straighter, more rounded windshield
- Thrust levers that move to set positions
External Identification Features
For aviation enthusiasts and travelers alike, spotting the difference between a Boeing 737 and an Airbus A320 becomes easier once you know the key visual cues.
Boeing 737 Visual Identifiers
- Sharp, pointed nose profile
- Engines flattened at the bottom (especially on NG and MAX)
- Angular winglets (split scimitar on newer models)
- Slanted cockpit windows
- Lower ground clearance
Airbus A320 Visual Identifiers
- More rounded nose profile
- Perfectly circular engine nacelles
- Shark-fin style winglets ("sharklets")
- Straighter, more rounded cockpit windows
- Higher stance with more ground clearance
Download Our Aircraft Spotting Guide
Want to become an expert at identifying commercial aircraft? Our comprehensive spotting guide includes detailed illustrations and tips for recognizing all major aircraft types.
Get Your Free GuidePerformance & Economics
Airlines make fleet decisions based largely on economic factors, including fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and operational flexibility. Both aircraft families have evolved to offer competitive performance metrics.
Range & Fuel Efficiency
The Boeing 737-800 has a range of approximately 5,425 km (2,930 NM), while the Airbus A320-200 can fly slightly farther at 5,700 km (3,078 NM). Both manufacturers have improved fuel efficiency with their newest generations—the 737 MAX and A320neo—claiming 15-20% better fuel consumption than previous models.
The A320neo family gained an early market advantage with its new engine options, but Boeing's 737 MAX has closed the gap with its CFM LEAP-1B engines. However, the 737 MAX's lower ground clearance required engine placement adjustments that have been the subject of technical scrutiny.
Operating Economics
Operating costs depend on multiple factors including fuel prices, maintenance requirements, and crew training. The Airbus A320 family benefits from greater commonality across variants, potentially reducing training costs for pilots and maintenance crews. The Boeing 737 has historically offered slightly lower maintenance costs for airlines already operating the type.
Airlines typically report that both aircraft offer similar seat-mile costs when configured and operated similarly. The decision often comes down to fleet commonality, manufacturer relationships, and specific route requirements rather than marginal differences in operating costs.
Passenger Experience
While pilots and airlines may focus on technical and economic differences, passengers experience these aircraft primarily through cabin comfort and amenities.
Cabin Width & Comfort
The most noticeable difference for passengers is the cabin width. The Airbus A320 offers a wider cabin by approximately 7 inches compared to the Boeing 737. This extra width translates to slightly wider seats or a wider aisle, depending on how airlines configure their aircraft.
In a typical economy configuration with three seats on each side of the aisle, an A320 seat might be 18 inches wide, while a 737 seat typically measures around 17.3 inches. This small difference can impact comfort, especially on longer flights.
Boeing 737 Passenger Features
- Slightly larger windows
- Windows positioned lower on fuselage
- More curved cabin walls
- Typically louder in the rear cabin
- More headroom in aisle due to design
Airbus A320 Passenger Features
- Wider seats (typically 0.5-0.7 inches)
- Windows positioned higher on fuselage
- Straighter cabin walls
- Distinctive "barking dog" hydraulic sound on ground
- More modern feel in newer aircraft
Noise Levels & Comfort
Both aircraft have improved noise levels with newer generations. The position of the engines relative to the cabin can affect noise distribution, with the 737 typically being louder toward the rear. The A320neo and 737 MAX incorporate improved acoustic treatments and engine technology that significantly reduce cabin and external noise.
Ultimately, the passenger experience depends heavily on how individual airlines configure their aircraft. Factors like seat pitch, entertainment systems, and service quality often have a greater impact on passenger comfort than the inherent differences between aircraft types.
"If you're like me (or Brian Kelly-sized), you'll definitely prefer the A320 family of jets, since the windows are much closer to your eye level."
The Pilot's Perspective
Pilots often have strong preferences between these aircraft based on their training background and flying philosophy. The fundamental difference in control systems—Boeing's mechanical controls versus Airbus's fly-by-wire system—creates distinctly different flying experiences.
Boeing 737 Pilot Advantages
- Direct tactile feedback through control yoke
- Traditional "hands-on" flying experience
- Superior climb performance
- Better performance at high altitudes and hot conditions
- More responsive controls in manual flying
Airbus A320 Pilot Advantages
- Advanced flight envelope protection
- More spacious cockpit with side table
- Modern systems integration
- Consistent handling across different flight regimes
- Comprehensive emergency checklists and systems
As one pilot with experience on both types noted, "If I ever had a chance to create the ultimate medium jetliner, I would cut the Airbus cockpit and glue it to the Boeing 737 body!" This captures the sentiment that each aircraft has distinct strengths from a pilot's perspective.
"The Airbus A320 has a system called flight envelope protection, which prevents pilots from exceeding certain parameters that could compromise safety. The Boeing 737 relies more on pilot awareness and intervention."
Pilots transitioning between the two aircraft types require significant additional training due to these fundamental differences in philosophy and operation. However, once familiar with both, most pilots can appreciate the strengths of each design approach.
Hear From Experienced Pilots
Want to learn more about what it's like to fly these aircraft? Subscribe to our newsletter for interviews with commercial pilots who share their experiences and insights.
Subscribe NowMarket Performance & Orders
The Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families represent one of the most intense commercial rivalries in aviation history. Both have achieved remarkable commercial success, with tens of thousands of orders between them.
As of late 2023, Boeing has delivered over 11,550 737s of all variants since the program began, with approximately 4,091 still in its backlog. Airbus has delivered about 11,370 A320 family aircraft and has orders for 17,907 in total.
The A320neo family gained significant market momentum following its launch, securing a substantial order advantage over the 737 MAX. However, Boeing has been regaining ground as the 737 MAX returns to service following its 20-month grounding.
| Metric | Boeing 737 Family | Airbus A320 Family |
| Total Orders (All Variants) | ~15,600 | ~17,900 |
| Total Deliveries | ~11,550 | ~11,370 |
| Current Backlog | ~4,091 | ~6,500 |
| Monthly Production Rate (2023) | ~31 | ~45 |
Key airline customers for the Boeing 737 include Southwest Airlines (exclusively operates 737s), Ryanair, and American Airlines. Major Airbus A320 family operators include IndiGo, easyJet, and China Southern Airlines.
The market competition remains intense, with both manufacturers continuously refining their offerings to secure new orders. Airlines often leverage this competition to negotiate favorable terms when placing large fleet orders.
Safety Records & Challenges
Both the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families have established strong safety records over decades of service, though each has faced specific challenges.
When measured by hull losses per million flights, both aircraft types demonstrate excellent safety performance. The A320 family has experienced approximately 0.10 hull losses per million flights, while the 737 NG series shows a comparable rate of about 0.17 per million flights.
Notable Challenges
The Boeing 737 MAX faced a significant crisis following two fatal accidents in 2018 and 2019, leading to a worldwide grounding for 20 months. The issues were traced to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) and resulted in comprehensive design changes, improved pilot training, and enhanced certification processes.
The Airbus A320 family has experienced fewer systemic issues but has faced challenges including problems with specific engine types on the A320neo. Early PW1100G engines experienced reliability issues that required modifications and, in some cases, operational restrictions.
It's important to note that both aircraft types are continuously monitored and improved through rigorous safety processes. Modern commercial aviation maintains exceptional safety standards regardless of manufacturer, with system redundancies and regular safety enhancements.
Airline operational practices often have a greater impact on safety outcomes than inherent aircraft design differences. Both manufacturers work closely with regulators and operators to address any emerging safety concerns promptly.
Future Developments
Both Boeing and Airbus continue to evolve their narrowbody offerings, though complete replacement programs appear distant as both manufacturers focus on incremental improvements to their existing families.
Airbus Developments
Airbus is certifying its A321XLR (Extra Long Range), which will offer a range of 4,700 nautical miles—significantly extending the capabilities of the single-aisle platform. This aircraft aims to disrupt the market for smaller widebody jets on longer routes.
The European manufacturer is also exploring further efficiency improvements through aerodynamic refinements and potential future engine upgrades for the A320neo family.
Boeing Developments
Boeing is completing the 737 MAX family with the certification of the smaller MAX 7 and larger MAX 10 variants. The MAX 10 will offer seating for up to 230 passengers, competing directly with the Airbus A321neo.
The American manufacturer has indicated that its next clean-sheet narrowbody design will likely arrive in the 2030s, incorporating significant technological advances in propulsion, materials, and systems.
Both manufacturers are investing in sustainability initiatives, including more efficient engines, lightweight materials, and alternative fuel compatibility. Future developments will likely focus on reducing carbon emissions while maintaining or improving economic performance.
Conclusion: Which Plane Comes Out On Top?
The Boeing 737 versus Airbus A320 comparison reveals two excellent aircraft families, each with distinct strengths and philosophies. The "better" aircraft ultimately depends on specific operational requirements, existing fleet commonality, and individual preferences.
For passengers, the Airbus A320 typically offers slightly more comfort with its wider cabin and seats. For pilots, preferences often align with their training background and flying philosophy—Boeing's more direct control approach versus Airbus's protected fly-by-wire system.
Airlines make their selection based on a complex matrix of factors including acquisition costs, operating economics, fleet commonality, and manufacturer relationships. The intense competition between these aircraft families has benefited the industry by driving continuous improvement and innovation.
As we look to the future, both the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families will continue to evolve, incorporating new technologies while maintaining their distinct design philosophies. This ongoing rivalry ensures that air travel becomes increasingly efficient, comfortable, and sustainable.
Share Your Experience
Have you flown on both the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320? Which did you prefer and why? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below or sharing your thoughts on social media.
Join the Discussion
No comments:
Post a Comment