There is no doubt that Boeing’s best-selling aircraft is one of the most popular planes utilized by airlines in the US. Since being introduced in 1968, the aircraft type has evolved into four different generations and several variants.

It has also proved to be a successful jet for specific fleet strategies, as airlines aim to offer consistent passenger experiences and keep operating costs to a minimum. Thanks to innovations and technological advancements, the Boeing 737
has been able to fly farther than ever before.

With a sense of loyalty to the aircraft type, the decision to order newer generations of the aircraft has been somewhat easy for some carriers. As the industry is focused on lowering emissions and promoting more sustainable operations, the MAX series has been a top pick as a backbone of some fleets, while other airlines have chosen to jointly operate Airbus A32neo family aircraft – its main competitor. Although the MAX is destined to replace the 737 Next Generation (NG) series, four airlines are in the in-between phase, operating both types. The move specifically allows for fleet commonality and versatility.

Here are the four US carriers that currently operate the 737-800
and MAX
.

1

American Airlines

366 aircraft

Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines
is a leading operator of the 737, with more than 360 examples. The carrier’s 737-800 fleet accounts for the majority, with 303 examples, according to ch-aviation. The remaining 63 aircraft are 737 MAX 8s. These planes can be considered as American’s legacy fleet as the carrier operated the -800s well before its merger with US Airways in 2013. Additionally, the MAX 8s were ordered by the airline in 2011. In fact, American was a nearly all-Boeing operator before it

merged with US Airways
and acquired a plethora of Airbus aircraft.

Upon merging, American began to deploy its 737-800s more frequently from US Airways’ former hubs, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
. For years, the pre-merged airline would operate McDonnell Douglas MD-80 family aircraft between its hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
and PHX. As the MD-80s were gradually phased out, American began to use the 737-800s, which were primarily utilized on flights to Chicago and Miami.

American Airlines Boeing 737-800 taking off from PHX shutterstock_2298277643

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

Since the merger, the -800s have been scheduled on routes to several markets formerly part of US Airways’ PHX network, such as New York, Orange County, Des Moines, Austin, Tampa, and more.

American’s 737-800s and MAX 8s are configured with the same seating configuration, accommodating 172 passengers. However, the -800s are understandably older than the MAX 8s:

  • 737-800 average age: 14.9 years
  • Total 737-800 seat capacity: 52,116
  • 737 MAX 8 average age: 4 years
  • Total 737 MAX 8 seat capacity: 17,200

2

Alaska Airlines

135 aircraft

For years, Seattle-based Alaska Airlines
touted itself as an “all-Boeing operator” with a fleet of 737-700s, -800s, -900s, and -900ERs. However, this changed when the carrier absorbed Virgin America in 2018 and inherited its A319s, A320s, and A321neos. Alaska has since retired the Airbus aircraft, completely erasing all elements of the former airline. It briefly returned to solely operating Boeing aircraft, but it has technically inherited Airbus equipment once again as its parent company, Alaska Air Group,

completed an acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines
, which operates A330-200s and A321neos.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Nonetheless, Alaska has over 60 combined examples of the 737-800 and MAX 8. The -800s take up the majority with 58 examples, while 5 MAX 8s have been delivered so far this year. The deliveries have been significantly delayed due to the carrier’s

high-profile door incident
earlier this year and Boeing’s own unfortunate complications. Alaska is awaiting 15 more MAX 8 examples to be delivered.

Alaska’s 737-800s and MAX 8s also have the same seating configuration, accommodating a total of 159 passengers. The -800 fleet is much older and has a larger seating capacity.

  • 737-800 average age: 16.6 years
  • Total 737-800 seat capacity: 9,381
  • 737 MAX 8 average age: 0 years
  • Total 737 MAX 8 seat capacity: 3,180

Despite the MAX 8s just being delivered this year, Alaska has been a major operator of the larger MAX 9 variant. The airline took delivery of its first MAX 9 in 2021 and has since grown the fleet to 72 examples. Eight additional aircraft are on order.

3

Southwest Airlines

447 aircraft

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines
is the largest 737 operator in the world. The aircraft type is also the only jet it operates, despite a brief stint with the 727. The 737 MAX 8 is Southwest’s second-most popular aircraft as it has more examples of the variant compared to the 737-800. The low-cost airline operates 242 MAX 8 examples, while its -800 fleet comprises 205 aircraft.

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The -800 fleet is understandably older than the MAX 8 fleet, but each have impressive seat capacities. They have the same single-class configuration, accommodating 175 passengers.

  • 737-800 average age: 9.2 years
  • Total 737-800 seat capacity: 35,875
  • 737 MAX 8 average age: 2.9 years
  • Total 737 MAX 8 seat capacity: 75,425
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 taking off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Photo: lorenzatx | Shutterstock

Southwest’s most popular aircraft is the smaller 737-700 variant, with a total of 366 examples. The fleet has an average age of 19 years, and the carrier has been gradually retiring the oldest aircraft. Southwest plans to replace the -700 fleet with the MAX 7,

but certification of the variant has been severely delayed
.

4

United Airlines

246 aircraft

Chicago-based United Airlines
has been a joint operator of Airbus and Boeing aircraft for several years. However, its fleet of 737 NGs and MAXs can be credited to Continental Airlines. The two merged in 2010, inheriting Continental’s 737-700s, -800s, -900s, -900ERs, and orders for the 737 MAX 8, MAX 9, and MAX 10. United currently operates more than 240 combined examples of the 737-800 and MAX 8.

United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8

Photo: United Airlines

Its total 737 fleet accounts to 516 examples, with the MAX 9 comprising the most aircraft. Similar to other airlines, the 737-800 and MAX 8 have the same seating arrangement, accommodating a total of 166 passengers.

  • 737-800 average age: 20.7 years
  • Total 737-800 seat capacity: 23,406
  • 737 MAX 8 average age: 2.2 years
  • Total 737 MAX 8 seat capacity: 20,916

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