Boeing 737 MAX 8

The Boeing 737 MAX 8, certificated as the 737-8, is the baseline passenger variant of the Boeing 737 MAX family. It is a twin-engine narrowbody airliner derived from the 737-800, using CFM International LEAP-1B engines, a revised winglet, aerodynamic changes and updated flight-deck displays. The 737-8 first flew in January 2016 and entered commercial service with Malindo Air in May 2017.^{[1]Boeing completes successful 737 MAX first flightBoeing · boeing.mediaroom.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[2]Boeing in MalaysiaBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

Development and certification

Boeing developed the 737-8 from the 737-800 as the first flight-test and production member of the MAX family. The programme retained the 737 type-certificate lineage and much of the preceding generation's fuselage, landing gear and systems while introducing larger engines, new pylons, Advanced Technology winglets, an aerodynamically revised tail cone and new flight-deck displays.^{[3]Airworthiness certification — Boeing 737 MAX certificationFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[4]737 MAX by designBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

The first aircraft flew from Renton on 29 January 2016, completing a two-hour, 47-minute flight before landing at Boeing Field. Four 737-8 aircraft supported the initial flight-test programme. The FAA completed the amended type certification in March 2017.^{[1]Boeing completes successful 737 MAX first flightBoeing · boeing.mediaroom.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[3]Airworthiness certification — Boeing 737 MAX certificationFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

Boeing delivered the first aircraft to Malindo Air on 16 May 2017. The airline operated the type's first commercial service, from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, on 22 May.^{[5]Boeing marks first 737 MAX deliveryBoeing · boeing.mediaroom.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[2]Boeing in MalaysiaBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

Design

The 737-8 is 39.5 metres long, essentially matching the 737-800's fuselage length. It retains the six-abreast cabin and manually loaded lower holds but has a higher published maximum take-off weight and longer range. Boeing currently quotes 160–180 seats in two classes, a maximum of 210, and range up to 3,500 nautical miles.^{[6]Boeing 737 MAXBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

Engines and aerodynamics

The aircraft uses two CFM International LEAP-1B turbofans. Their larger fan diameter required the engines to be mounted farther forward and higher than the CFM56-7B installation on the 737NG. Boeing integrated new pylons and chevron-edged nacelles, revised the aft body and fitted a split-tip Advanced Technology winglet.^{[4]737 MAX by designBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[6]Boeing 737 MAXBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

The winglet has separate upper and lower elements intended to increase effective span while remaining within the 737's airport gate category. Boeing's current planning dimension is 35.9 metres across the wings.^{[6]Boeing 737 MAXBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[7]737 MAX airport planning characteristicsBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

Flight deck and controls

The flight deck has four 15-inch displays and retains conventional control columns, hydraulically powered primary flight controls and the B-737 pilot type rating. The common rating does not eliminate differences training: the FAA specifies MAX training tasks, including simulator training introduced as part of the 2020 return-to-service requirements.^{[4]737 MAX by designBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[8]737 Flight Standardization Board reportFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, is a function within the speed-trim system. It was introduced to support compliant pitch handling in parts of the MAX flight envelope associated with the altered engine installation. It commands stabiliser trim under defined manual-flight conditions; it is not a general-purpose autopilot or stall-prevention system.^{[9]Technical Advisory Board report on the 737 MAX MCAS design changeFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[10]Summary of the FAA's review of the Boeing 737 MAXFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

737-8-200

The 737-8-200, sometimes marketed as the MAX 200, is a higher-density configuration with an additional pair of mid-aft exit doors. Boeing's airport-planning data describes single-class configurations from 200 to 202 seats, depending on the applicable interior and certification standard. The doors, evacuation provisions and associated training distinguish it from a conventional 737-8 cabin, while its dimensions and principal powerplant remain those of the -8.^{[7]737 MAX airport planning characteristicsBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

The FAA and EASA use the 737-8200 designation in regulatory material. Operators may use “737-8-200”, “737-8200” or a commercial fleet name, so registration-level records should preserve the certificated model and the operator's displayed designation separately.^{[11]FAA updates on Boeing 737 MAXFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[12]Safety Directive SD-2021-01R1 — Boeing 737 MAX return to serviceEuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency · ad.easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

Specifications

These are manufacturer planning values. The maximum 210-seat headline includes high-density certification capability; an airline's approved layout, operating weights, reserves, payload, weather and runway conditions determine actual capacity and range.^{[6]Boeing 737 MAXBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[7]737 MAX airport planning characteristicsBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

Accidents and grounding

On 29 October 2018, Lion Air Flight 610, a 737-8 registered PK-LQP, crashed into the Java Sea shortly after departing Jakarta. All 189 people aboard died. Indonesia's KNKT investigation identified multiple contributing factors involving the MCAS design and certification assumptions, angle-of-attack sensor information, maintenance and flight-crew response.^{[13]Lion Air Flight 610 final reportKomite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi · knkt.go.id · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[14]Accredited representative to the Lion Air Flight 610 investigationAustralian Transport Safety Bureau · atsb.gov.au · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

On 10 March 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, 737-8 ET-AVJ, crashed near Ejere after departure from Addis Ababa. All 157 people aboard died. The Ethiopian investigation reported erroneous angle-of-attack input, repeated MCAS nose-down commands and the resulting loss of control, while participating investigation authorities published additional comments on the findings.^{[15]Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 final reportEthiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau · bea.aero · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[16]Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 investigation pageBureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses · bea.aero · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

The two accidents killed 346 people. Aviation authorities grounded the MAX worldwide in March 2019. The FAA's United States emergency order applied to the 737-8 and 737-9; other national authorities issued their own directives.^{[17]NTSB issues safety recommendations related to 737 MAX accident investigationsNational Transportation Safety Board · ntsb.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[18]Notice 8900.570 — Boeing 737-8 and 737-9 return to serviceFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

Redesign and return to service

The FAA and other authorities reviewed the flight-control design, system safety analysis, crew procedures and training. FAA Airworthiness Directive 2020-24-02 required four principal design actions before return to service:

• new flight-control computer software, including safeguards against erroneous MCAS activation;

• cockpit-display software that provides an angle-of-attack disagree alert;

• new and revised Airplane Flight Manual procedures; and

• changed routing of horizontal-stabiliser trim wiring.

Operators also had to perform an angle-of-attack sensor-system test and an operational-readiness flight for each stored aircraft. The revised MCAS compares both angle-of-attack sensors, is limited in authority and cannot repeatedly activate for the same high-angle-of-attack event.^{[19]Boeing 737 MAX reading roomFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[10]Summary of the FAA's review of the Boeing 737 MAXFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

The FAA rescinded its grounding order on 18 November 2020 after a 20-month review, but that action did not immediately return every aircraft to service. Each operator required approved training revisions, mandated maintenance and compliance with the airworthiness directive; other regulators made their own validation decisions and schedules.^{[11]FAA updates on Boeing 737 MAXFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[18]Notice 8900.570 — Boeing 737-8 and 737-9 return to serviceFederal Aviation Administration · faa.gov · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

Production and operations

The 737-8 is the highest-volume member of the MAX family. Boeing's current family page reports approximately 7,000 firm MAX orders across all variants, while Boeing reported more than 2,300 MAX-family deliveries through June 2026. Neither figure is a 737-8-only total, and order conversions between MAX variants can change the model split.^{[6]Boeing 737 MAXBoeing · boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[20]FAA certifies new Boeing 737-7 airplaneBoeing · investors.boeing.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details}

The type serves network, low-cost, leisure and charter airlines. Operators include Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada, flydubai, GOL, Air India Express and members of the Lion Air group. The 737-8-200 has been adopted for high-density low-cost operation, including by Ryanair-group airlines. This list is illustrative rather than a dated airframe census.

Current fleet and registration records should distinguish aircraft built but not yet delivered, stored aircraft, leased aircraft and active airline service. A Boeing order or original delivery announcement does not establish present operator or status.

Related pages

• Boeing 737 MAX

• Boeing 737 Next Generation

• Boeing 737

• Ryanair fleet

Sources

• Boeing 737 MAX — Boeing

• FAA summary of the 737 MAX review — Federal Aviation Administration

• FAA 737 MAX reading room — Federal Aviation Administration

• Lion Air Flight 610 final report — Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi

• Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 final report — Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau