When it comes to selecting mainline aircraft of any size, commercial airlines can really only pick between two major suppliers: Boeing
and Airbus
. These two aerospace firms have spent the past several decades fighting to become the dominant aircraft manufacturer of choice for the commercial airline industry through innovative offerings and aggressive sales tactics.
This duopoly means only a handful of commercial aircraft are consistently seen at airports across the world. Airlines often leverage the intense and tenacious competition between these two aerospace firms to get a better deal on aircraft. Because of this, many of the world’s largest airlines operate mixed fleets that consist of both Boeing and Airbus jets. While this strategy reduces dependency on one supplier, something that has proven helpful for airlines as delivery delays persist from Boeing, it does add complexity and cost to an airline’s operations.
Photo: viper-zero | Shutterstock
Because of this, some airlines opt to only operate fleets from one manufacturer. This strategic decision is especially apparent in the low-cost sector of the industry. Having one aircraft type can significantly reduce costs associated with training employees and maintaining aircraft. Even ordering different aircraft types from the same supplier can come with advantages, too. There are airlines of different business models across the world that only fly Boeing aircraft. While many of them are low-cost carriers, some premium and full-service carriers have also avoided ordering from Airbus or other Boeing rivals.
Low-cost carriers flock to the Boeing 737
One of Boeing’s best-selling aircraft is the Boeing 737
family. This aircraft is currently Boeing’s only narrowbody offering still being produced, and has gone through many iterations since its introduction into service back in the 1960s. The American aircraft manufacturer initially developed the original 737 to compete in short-haul markets, where it did not have the properly-sized aircraft to compete with manufacturers like McDonnell Douglas.
Since the initial deployment of the Boeing 737, the aircraft has had many updates and iterations that have helped it maintain popularity with airlines. The entirety of Boeing’s commercial 737 family is as follows:
- 737-100
- 737-200
- 737-300
- 737-400
- 737-500
- 737-600
- 737-700
- 737-800
- 737-900/900ER
- 737 MAX 7 (pending FAA certification)
- 737 MAX 8
- 737 MAX 9
- 737 MAX 10 (pending FAA certification)
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Throughout the 737’s history, it has collected several loyal customers that exclusively use the aircraft type. Most of these are low-cost carriers
(LCCs). Southwest Airlines
, the world’s largest budget airline, is the largest operator of the Boeing 737. The airline was the launch customer for the 737-300, 737-500, and 737-700 models. It will also be the first airline to operate the Boeing 737 MAX 7, though it has not yet been certified by the FAA.
According to planespotters.net, Southwest boasts a fleet of 779 737 aircraft. Currently, the airline only operates the 737-700, -800, and MAX 8. While the Dallas-based carrier is by far the largest 737 customer, other low-cost carriers also boast impressive fleets.
Another notable mention would be Ryanair
. The low-cost carrier, which has become one of the largest airlines in Europe, is famously loyal to the Boeing 737. However, one of the brands owned by Ryanair group does not use the 737. Lauda, a smaller brand under the same parent company, operates Airbus A320 aircraft. Because of this, Ryanair cannot be considered an all-Boeing operator.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying
Still, other low-cost airlines around the world exclusively fly the Boeing 737. For example, South Korean low-cost carrier Jeju Air
only operates the aircraft type. Despite being involved in a deadly accident at the end of last year, the airline has an impressive route network and schedule across Asia. Planespotters.net reports that the carrier has a fleet of 41 737s.
Beyond these examples, many other airlines exclusively fly the 737. While these are typically low-cost operators, some employ hybrid or even full-service strategies for passengers.
- Lion Air
- Sunwing Airlines
- Avelo Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- Skymark Airlines
- Norwegian Air Shuttle
- FlyDubai
- Flair Airlines
- Arajet
- Copa Airlines
Photo: Sun Country Airlines
From this list, it’s clear that most 737-only operators are low-cost airlines. This makes sense, given the relatively short range of the aircraft. Full-service carriers tend to operate more long-haul flights, something the 737 is less well-suited for. Despite this, Copa Airlines
still relies exclusively on the 737. Given its business model of connecting the Americas and its centrally-located hub in Panama City, the airline does not need aircraft with a very long range.

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Other airlines also rely only on Boeing
While the 737 is one of its most popular aircraft types, Boeing offers a wide variety of aircraft to serve today’s aviation market. Its remaining commercial offerings are widebodies, so they tend to offer a longer range and higher capacity than 737 models. While the firm’s Boeing 767 is declining in popularity, and production of the iconic Boeing 747 ended several years ago, Boeing still has a lot to offer airlines in need of more capable aircraft.
Photo: Thor Jorgen Udvang | Shutterstock
Boeing’s latest clean sheet design is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
. This relatively smaller widebody is highly efficient and designed to offer a better passenger experience. Given its smaller size but impressive range, the Boeing 787 is designed to serve “thinner” routes: long-distance markets with lower passenger demand. The type has been embraced by airlines across the world.
Additionally, Boeing is still producing the 777. As Boeing’s largest aircraft, the 777 combines a long range with high passenger capacity. Following its success in the global market, Boeing has continued to work on the Boeing 777X
, an updated variant that seats more passengers with enhanced efficiency and passenger comfort.
With so many options, it’s no wonder there is an impressive list of all-Boeing operators that use more than just the 737. Air Europa, for example, operates the 737 in conjunction with the 787 Dreamliner. Planespotters.net reports that the airline operates a total fleet of 51 aircraft. While just over half of this fleet consists of Boeing’s narrowbody, the remaining 25 jets are 787s.
Photo: Luciano de la Rosa | Shutterstock
In addition to Air Europa, several other European carriers avoid flying aircraft from Boeing’s rivals. For example, Norse Atlantic Airways only flies the Boeing 787. The airline, which is only a few years old, has attempted to make the long-haul low-cost business model profitable, which is something notoriously difficult to do. With its fleet of 787s, the Norse Atlantic flies to a handful of destinations in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia, including:
- Cape Town
- New York
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Orlando
- Miami
- Oslo
- London
- Berlin
- Paris
- Rome
While Norse Atlantic is operating a business model that has proven to be difficult to master, the airline has expressed confidence that its Boeing 787s are the correct aircraft to deploy in its markets. Norse currently operates four Boeing 787-9s.
Beyond Europe, even some flag carriers only fly Boeing aircraft. EL AL
, the flag carrier of Israel, operates an impressive mix of Boeing aircraft. The airline’s short-haul fleet consists of 29 Boeing 737 aircraft. Meanwhile, its long-haul fleet is composed of both 777 and 787 aircraft, according to planespotters.net. El Al operates six Boeing 777
aircraft, and 16 Boeing 787s. It is worth noting that the airline has one additional 787 on order from Boeing.
Photo: Kevin Hackert | Shutterstock
Several Asian and South Pacific airlines also operate all-Boeing fleets without exclusively relying on the 737. Air Tahiti Nui, the flag carrier of French Polynesia, operates a fleet of four Boeing 787 Dreamliners. These next-generation aircraft replaced the carriers’ old A340s, which have since been retired. Today, the airline has four 787s in its fleet.
North of French Polynesia, two South Korean carriers deploy all-Boeing fleets. Air Premia, headquartered in Seoul, operates a fleet of six 787s. Meanwhile, Jin Air flies both the Boeing 737 and 777. The airline has 27 narrowbody jets and 4 777s, and serves destinations throughout Asia.

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All-Boeing operators are facing continued challenges
There is an inherent risk for airlines when they choose to get aircraft from only one supplier. This risk has become increasingly apparent in the past several years, as Boeing has faced highly-publicized quality control issues and delivery delays. This comes after ongoing troubles with its 737 MAX program, including two fatal crashes and a blown-out plug door on an Alaska Airlines
flight.
Given the high risks of relying only on one supplier, there has to be a major pay-off for airlines that stay loyal to Boeing (or, for that matter, any manufacturer). Airlines that stay with Boeing likely enjoy increased bargaining power and influence over Boeing products. For example, Southwest Airlines was directly involved in the development of the 737-700, an aircraft that continues to be extensively deployed by the airline today.
While the number of airlines only operating Boeing jets is limited, there are some benefits that come from sole reliance on the aerospace firm. Only time will tell if this strategy will pay off for airlines, or if the carriers should pivot to a more diversified fleet.