Boeing 737-800 vs 757-300

By: Rocco

Comparing the Boeing 737-800 vs the Boeing 757-300? Start with the quick spec breakdown below, then dive into the story for the bigger picture.

Boeing 737-800
Mid Size Passenger Jets
Boeing 737-800
ICAO: B738 Status: Active Visit aircraft page
Boeing 757-300
Mid Size Passenger Jets
Boeing 757-300
ICAO: B753 Status: Active Visit aircraft page

General

Units
Boeing 737-800
Manufacturer
Boeing
ICAO code
B738
Produced
1998–Present
Price
$89.2 million
Engine
2 × Snecma / CFM56-7B27
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 27,300 lbf · 121 kN -37% (total)
Avionics
Rockwell Collins avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
189 economy · 175 business · 162 first
Boeing 757-300
Manufacturer
Boeing
ICAO code
B753
Produced
1998–2004
Price
$80 million (2002)
Engine
2 × Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4/B, Pratt & Whitney PW2000-40/43
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 43,500 lbf · 193 kN +59% (total)
Avionics
Rockwell Collins Avionics
Wing tips
Blended tips
Seats
295 economy · 243 business

Dimensions

Boeing 737-800
Cabin width
11 ft 7 in 3.54 m 11 ft 7 in 3.54 m 0%
Cabin height
7 ft 3 in 2.20 m 7 ft 3 in 2.20 m +3%
Cabin length
98 ft 4 in 29.97 m 98 ft 4 in 29.97 m -31%
Exterior length
129 ft 7 in 39.50 m 129 ft 7 in 39.50 m -27%
Tail height
Fuselage diameter
12 ft 4 in 3.76 m 12 ft 4 in 3.76 m 0%
Wing span
112 ft 7 in 34.31 m 112 ft 7 in 34.31 m -10%
Baggage volume
148 ft 0 in 45.10 m 148 ft 0 in 45.10 m -33%
Boeing 757-300
Cabin width
11 ft 7 in 3.54 m 11 ft 7 in 3.54 m 0%
Cabin height
7 ft 0 in 2.13 m 7 ft 0 in 2.13 m -3%
Cabin length
141 ft 9 in 43.21 m 141 ft 9 in 43.21 m +44%
Exterior length
178 ft 7 in 54.43 m 178 ft 7 in 54.43 m +38%
Tail height
44 ft 9 in 13.64 m 44 ft 9 in 13.64 m
Fuselage diameter
12 ft 4 in 3.76 m 12 ft 4 in 3.76 m 0%
Wing span
124 ft 10 in 38.06 m 124 ft 10 in 38.06 m +11%
Baggage volume
221 ft 5 in 67.50 m 221 ft 5 in 67.50 m +50%

Weights

Boeing 737-800
Max payload
47,000 lb 21,300 kg 47,000 lb 21,300 kg -31%
Fuel capacity
6,875 gal 26,025 L 6,875 gal 26,025 L -40%
Max takeoff weight
847,000 lb 384,000 kg 847,000 lb 384,000 kg +210%
Max landing weight
Boeing 757-300
Max payload
68,000 lb 30,900 kg 68,000 lb 30,900 kg +45%
Fuel capacity
11,490 gal 43,494 L 11,490 gal 43,494 L +67%
Max takeoff weight
273,000 lb 124,000 kg 273,000 lb 124,000 kg -68%
Max landing weight
224,000 lb 101,500 kg 224,000 lb 101,500 kg

Performance

Boeing 737-800
Max cruise speed
473 kt · 544 mph 876 km/h 473 kt 544 mph 876 km/h -5%
Approach speed
Rate of climb
0 ft/min 0 m/s 0 ft/min 0 m/s -100%
Range
3,060 nm · 3,520 mi 5,670 km 3,060 nm 3,520 mi 5,670 km -12%
Service ceiling
41,000 ft 12,500 m 41,000 ft 12,500 m -2%
Takeoff distance
7,600 ft 2,320 m 7,600 ft 2,320 m -11%
Landing distance
4,500 ft 1,370 m 4,500 ft 1,370 m -11%
Boeing 757-300
Max cruise speed
496 kt · 571 mph 919 km/h 496 kt 571 mph 919 km/h +5%
Approach speed
140 kt · 161 mph 259 km/h 140 kt 161 mph 259 km/h
Rate of climb
3,500 ft/min 18 m/s 3,500 ft/min 18 m/s
Range
3,467 nm · 3,990 mi 6,420 km 3,467 nm 3,990 mi 6,420 km +13%
Service ceiling
42,000 ft 12,800 m 42,000 ft 12,800 m +2%
Takeoff distance
8,550 ft 2,600 m 8,550 ft 2,600 m +12%
Landing distance
5,100 ft 1,550 m 5,100 ft 1,550 m +13%

When it comes to airplanes, there are two types of people in the world: those who know the difference between a 737 and a 757 and those who don’t. The first group is smug about their knowledge, while the second group is baffled by all the technical talk they hear at airports. But no matter which group you belong to, there’s something you need to know about these two planes.

About the Boeing 737

The Boeing 737 is a twin-jet airliner that can take short to medium-range flights, having first flown in 1967 and is still being produced today. It has been developed into several models, including the Classic, Next Generation, and MAX. Over 11,000 have been built, making it one of the most successful jet airliners ever.

The 737 is primarily used by airlines for domestic and short-haul international flights. Major operators include Southwest Airlines, Ryanair, United Airlines, and American Airlines. The 737 entered service with Lufthansa in 1968 and has since become one of the most widely used aircraft worldwide.

It remains a popular airline choice due to its low operating costs, reliability, and flexibility.

Why was it developed and built?

The 737 was developed and built by Boeing to replace the aging fleet of 707s, 720s, and 727s. It was designed to be an efficient yet affordable aircraft that could provide airlines with a cost-effective solution for short-haul routes. The 737 has since become the best-selling commercial aircraft in history, and its impressive performance has made it the standard for short-haul travel.

What purpose does it serve?

The Boeing 737 is designed for short-haul flights and can be used for various purposes. It is used to transport passengers from one place to another and is also commonly used for cargo transport. The aircraft is highly reliable and efficient, making it one of the most popular airline choices.

About the Boeing 757

The Boeing 757 is a twin-engine jetliner that was first introduced in 1983. It can reach speeds of up to 982 km/h and has a range of 7,222 km. The 757 is 47 m long and has a wingspan of 38 m. It typically carries between 201 and 289 passengers, depending on the configuration.

The 757 is powered by either Rolls-Royce RB211 or Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines. It has a takeoff speed of around 290 km/h. The unit cost of the 757 is between 80 and 100 million USD (2013). Despite being introduced over 30 years ago, the 757 remains a popular airline choice due to its reliability and efficiency.

Why was it developed and built?

The idea to stretch the 727 was first proposed in the early 1990s. Boeing and several operating airlines wanted a successor to the famous jet aircraft. They felt that the extended version would provide greater capacity and better performance.

The prototype was built in 1992 and first flew in 1993. After several years of testing, the aircraft was certified in 1998 and began commercial service the following year. Since then, it has become one of the most popular jet aircraft.

What purpose did it serve?

The 757 was designed to be a cost-effective solution for short-haul and medium-range flights. It is capable of carrying up to 289 passengers and is well-suited for both domestic and international flights. The 757 is also famous for cargo transport due to its wide fuselage and high payload capacity. The aircraft is also highly reliable and efficient, making it an attractive airline.

How are Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 different?

The Boeing 737 and 757 are two very different airplanes. The 737 is a short-to-medium-range narrowbody airliner, while the 757 is a long-range widebody airliner. The 737 is powered by two wing-mounted CFM56 turbofan engines, while two Rolls-Royce RB211 turbofan engines power the 757.

The 737 has a maximum takeoff weight of 80,000 lb (36,287 kg), while the 757 has a maximum takeoff weight of 255,000 lb (116,000 kg). The 737 range is 2,950 miles (4,750 km), while the 757 range is 5,310 miles (8,560 km).

The 737 can carry up to 149 passengers, while the 757 can carry up to 239 passengers.

How are Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 similar?

Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 are two very popular commercial airplanes. Both are narrow-body jets that can seat between 130 and 210 passengers and are used extensively by major airlines worldwide. But what else do these two planes have in common?

For one thing, they share a similar design philosophy. The 737 and the 757 were designed to be “fly-by-wire” aircraft, meaning that computer systems would digitally control many of the plane’s flight surfaces rather than using cables and hydraulics as in older planes. This helped to make the aircraft lighter and more fuel efficient.

In addition, both planes use high-bypass turbofan engines, which are quieter and more fuel efficient than older engine types.

Finally, both planes were designed with “commonality” in mind, meaning many of their parts are interchangeable. This helps keep maintenance and training costs down for airlines that operate both aircraft types.

What’s better about Boeing 737?

Engine:

The 737 MAX comes with the latest CFM LEAP-1B engine, which offers improved fuel efficiency and higher thrust for takeoff.

Safety:

The 737 MAX is one of the safest aircraft in its class and has been designed with a focus on safety. It includes an advanced flight deck, improved systems redundancies, auto-deployment of flight spoilers for better control during takeoff and landing, and dual-channel angle-of-attack (AOA) sensors that provide improved protection against upsets and stalls.

Economy:

The 737 MAX ranges to 6,430 nautical miles (7,556 km), making it ideal for long-haul flights without needing additional fuel stops.

It also offers lower operating costs per seat than other commercial aircraft. This makes it an attractive choice for budget-conscious airlines.

What’s better about Boeing 757?

Design:

The 757 is a wide-body, dual-aisle aircraft that offers more excellent interior space and seating capacity than the 737. It also has a more extended range and can accommodate up to 261 passengers in two classes of service. This makes it ideal for medium to long-haul flights that require more space and cargo capacity.

Engine:

The 757 is powered by two high-bypass turbofan engines and can reach speeds of up to 540 mph (870 km/h). This makes it one of the fastest aircraft in its class. Additionally, its engines are designed to be fuel-efficient and reduce engine noise, making it an eco-friendly option for airlines.

Conclusion

The Boeing 737 and 757 are two very different airplanes. The 737 is a short-to-medium-range narrow body airliner, while the 757 is a long-range wide body airliner. Both planes share similar design philosophies and commonality of parts to help make maintenance and training costs more cost-effective for airlines.