Boeing 787-8 vs 737-800

By: Rocco

Comparing the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner vs the Boeing 737-800? Start with the quick spec breakdown below, then dive into the story for the bigger picture.

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Jumbo Passenger Jets
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
ICAO: B788 Status: Active Visit aircraft page
Boeing 737-800
Mid Size Passenger Jets
Boeing 737-800
ICAO: B738 Status: Active Visit aircraft page

General

Units
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Manufacturer
Boeing
ICAO code
B788
Produced
2010–Onward
Price
$206.8 million (1900)
Engine
Engine type
-
Thrust
64,000 lbf · 285 kN +17% (total)
Avionics
Rockwell Collins next generation avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
250 economy · 210 business
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 -15% (total)
Avionics
Rockwell Collins avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
189 economy · 175 business · 162 first

Dimensions

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Cabin width
18 ft 0 in 5.49 m 18 ft 0 in 5.49 m +55%
Cabin height
8 ft 2 in 2.50 m 8 ft 2 in 2.50 m +14%
Cabin length
167 ft 4 in 51.00 m 167 ft 4 in 51.00 m +70%
Exterior length
187 ft 0 in 57.00 m 187 ft 0 in 57.00 m +44%
Fuselage diameter
18 ft 10 in 5.75 m 18 ft 10 in 5.75 m +53%
Wing span
196 ft 10 in 60.00 m 196 ft 10 in 60.00 m +75%
Baggage volume
448 ft 6 in 136.70 m 448 ft 6 in 136.70 m +203%
Boeing 737-800
Cabin width
11 ft 7 in 3.54 m 11 ft 7 in 3.54 m -36%
Cabin height
7 ft 3 in 2.20 m 7 ft 3 in 2.20 m -12%
Cabin length
98 ft 4 in 29.97 m 98 ft 4 in 29.97 m -41%
Exterior length
129 ft 7 in 39.50 m 129 ft 7 in 39.50 m -31%
Fuselage diameter
12 ft 4 in 3.76 m 12 ft 4 in 3.76 m -35%
Wing span
112 ft 7 in 34.31 m 112 ft 7 in 34.31 m -43%
Baggage volume
148 ft 0 in 45.10 m 148 ft 0 in 45.10 m -67%

Weights

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Max payload
95,500 lb 43,300 kg 95,500 lb 43,300 kg +103%
Fuel capacity
33,528 gal 126,917 L 33,528 gal 126,917 L +388%
Max takeoff weight
502,000 lb 228,000 kg 502,000 lb 228,000 kg -41%
Boeing 737-800
Max payload
47,000 lb 21,300 kg 47,000 lb 21,300 kg -51%
Fuel capacity
6,875 gal 26,025 L 6,875 gal 26,025 L -79%
Max takeoff weight
847,000 lb 384,000 kg 847,000 lb 384,000 kg +68%

Performance

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Max cruise speed
510 kt · 587 mph 945 km/h 510 kt 587 mph 945 km/h +8%
Rate of climb
0 ft/min 0 m/s 0 ft/min 0 m/s
Range
8,200 nm · 9,440 mi 15,190 km 8,200 nm 9,440 mi 15,190 km +168%
Service ceiling
43,000 ft 13,100 m 43,000 ft 13,100 m +5%
Takeoff distance
5,000 ft 1,520 m 5,000 ft 1,520 m -34%
Landing distance
3,000 ft 910 m 3,000 ft 910 m -34%
Boeing 737-800
Max cruise speed
473 kt · 544 mph 876 km/h 473 kt 544 mph 876 km/h -7%
Rate of climb
0 ft/min 0 m/s 0 ft/min 0 m/s
Range
3,060 nm · 3,520 mi 5,670 km 3,060 nm 3,520 mi 5,670 km -63%
Service ceiling
41,000 ft 12,500 m 41,000 ft 12,500 m -5%
Takeoff distance
7,600 ft 2,320 m 7,600 ft 2,320 m +52%
Landing distance
4,500 ft 1,370 m 4,500 ft 1,370 m +50%

Stacking Boeing 787 vs 737 are both manufactured by Boeing, one of the leading airplane manufacturers in the world. Both these models bring unique features and offer distinct advantages to the customers. Let’s get into more details!

About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range aircraft built and produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world’s largest twinjet.

Why was it developed and built?

It was designed to replace older wide-body airliners and bridge the capacity difference between old variations. It was also the first airliner with an entirely digital flight deck, which reduces crew errors.

What purpose does it serve?

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, wide-body aircraft suitable for domestic and international routes. It is popular amongst passengers due to its large capacity, long-range, and superior fuel efficiency. It is also an attractive airline option due to its low costs and efficient operations.

About the Boeing 737

Think of the Boeing 737 as Boeing’s workhorse aircraft. Best known for its short to medium-haul capacities, the Boeing 737 series are some of the world’s oldest and most recognizable airplane designs.

Why was it developed and built?

The Boeing 737 is Boeing’s most famous aircraft and has been in continuous production for quite a while. It has been continuously updated with newer engine and airframe technologies, resulting in increased efficiency, lower fuel burn, improved reliability, and higher performance.

What purpose does it serve?

The Boeing 737 is primarily used for short to medium-range passenger flights. It is also famous for cargo, private chartered flights, and military and government applications. Additionally, some Boeing 737s have been modified for medical evacuation and special mission operations.

How are the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 737 different?

How do the iconic Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 737 differ in capabilities and performance? Look no further – let’s explore the key ways these two powerhouse aircraft differ from one another!

Range

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a much longer range than the Boeing 737, thanks partly to its larger fuel capacity. This makes it ideal for long-haul flights across oceans or continents. 

The Boeing 737, on the other hand, is better suited for shorter routes like those frequently flown by budget airlines.

Engines

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner typically uses General Electric GEnx-1B or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, while the Boeing 737 uses smaller engines mounted on each side of the fuselage.

This makes the Boeing 787 Dreamliner more fuel-efficient than the Boeing 737, but it also produces more noise and requires more runway for takeoff and landing.

Speed

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is faster than the Boeing 737, achieving a maximum cruising speed of around Mach 0.85 (903 km/h).

The Boeing 737 typically cruises at Mach 0.785 (838 km/h), making it slightly slower than the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Passenger Capacity

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner can carry up to 440 passengers, while the Boeing 737 can accommodate up to 230. This makes the Boeing 787 Dreamliner more suitable for larger groups or long-haul flights.

Cabin layout

Finally, there’s cabin layout. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a wider cabin than the 737, allowing passengers a more comfortable experience.

Additionally, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner typically has more amenities like in-seat entertainment systems and wider seats with more legroom than you’ll find on a typical 737 flight.

Overall, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737 serve two different purposes. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is ideal for long-haul international flights, while the 737 is better suited for shorter, budget flights.

How are the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 737 similar?

Let’s look at some shared features between the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the 737!

  • The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Boeing 737 are twin-engine, single-aisle jets.
  • Both aircraft are used primarily for short- to medium-haul routes. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a wide-body jet, while the Boeing 737 is a narrow-body jet.
  • Both aircraft are highly efficient and reliable, with high passenger satisfaction rates.
  • Thanks to their similar designs, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 737 are often used interchangeably on routes where either aircraft could be used.

As a result, both aircraft are some of the most popular in the world.

What’s better about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner?

This workhorse of a plane is equipped with everything you need to make your journey as smooth as possible. Here’s a rundown of why the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the best plane for long flights.

  • The first reason is its range. The plane can fly nonstop for nearly 17 hours, so it can easily make any trip across the globe.
  • Additionally, the plane’s long-range means it can take off and land at airports with shorter runways, which can be a lifesaver when traveling to remote locations.
  • The next reason is its fuel efficiency. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s fuel efficiency is partly due to its use of lighter materials in its construction. For example, the plane’s wings are made largely of composite materials, which weigh less than traditional aluminum wings.
  • It is also equipped with advanced fly-by-wire technology and a state-of-the-art digital flight deck for increased reliability and accuracy.
  • Finally, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one of the safest planes flying today.

Think of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as the ideal aircraft for passengers who want to fly comfortably and enjoy a wide range of in-flight amenities.

What’s better about the Boeing 737?

The Boeing 737 is a narrow-bodied aircraft produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the best-selling commercial jetliner in history.

  • The Boeing 737 was designed to be a short-haul airliner and has been continuously updated since its introduction.
  • The Boeing 737 is popular with airlines because it is fuel-efficient and relatively inexpensive.
  • It also has a good safety record, and its reliability has been improved over the years through continual updates.

As a result, the Boeing 737 is an excellent choice for airlines that operate short-haul routes.

Conclusion

So, which airplane is better? It depends on your needs. If you need an airplane that can seat more passengers and fly longer distances, then the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a good choice.

However, if you’re looking for an airplane that won’t break the bank, the Boeing 737 might be a better option.