Rajan Wilcox
The Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as 737NG, is a twin-engine narrow-body aircraft produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The 737-800 is the most common variant of the 737NG family. It burns 850 US gallons (3,200 litres) of jet fuel per hour. Ryanair, serving routes across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, is one of the largest operators with a fleet of over four hundred 737-800 aircraft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel burned per hour | 850 US gallons (3,200 L) |
| Fuel capacity | Greater than 737 Classic |
| Wingspan | Wider than 737 Classic |
| Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) | Higher than 737 Classic |
| Range | Longer than 737 Classic |
| Engine | CFM International CFM56-7 series |
| Number of engines | 2 |
| Number of passengers | 108-215 |
| Competition | Airbus A320 family |
| Number ordered as of May 2025 | 7,126 |
| Number delivered as of May 2025 | 7,116 |
| Production status | Boeing stopped assembling commercial 737NGs in 2019 and made the final deliveries in January 2020 |
| Variant | Most-ordered variant in the 737NG family |
| Brake package | Messier-Bugatti-Dowty's new carbon brakes reduce weight by 550-700 pounds (250-320 kg) |
| Winglet type | Split Scimitar |
Explore related products
$97.01
What You'll Learn
- The 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 L) of jet fuel per hour
- The 737NG has a redesigned wing with a larger area and a wider wingspan
- The 737-800 is the most common variant of the 737NG family
- Boeing offered Messier-Bugatti-Dowty's carbon brakes for the 737s, reducing weight and fuel burn
- Split Scimitar winglets produce up to a 5.5% fuel saving per aircraft
The 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 L) of jet fuel per hour
The Boeing 737-800 is a popular aircraft in the aviation industry. It is a part of the 737NG (Next Generation) family, which is an upgraded version of the classic 737 series. One of the standout features of the 737-800 is its fuel efficiency.
Despite being a powerful aircraft, the 737-800 burns a significant amount of fuel during operation. On average, this aircraft consumes approximately 850 US gallons (3,200 litres) of jet fuel every hour. This fuel consumption rate is a crucial consideration for airlines and pilots when planning flights and calculating fuel requirements for journeys.
The 737-800's fuel efficiency has been a focus of improvement efforts over the years. For instance, Boeing offered new carbon brakes in 2008, which reduced the weight of the brake package, leading to a 0.5% reduction in fuel burn. Additionally, the CFM56-7B Evolution nacelle, introduced in 2009, improved overall fuel burn by at least 1% on longer stages.
Furthermore, the introduction of Split Scimitar winglets in 2014 for the 737-800 resulted in significant fuel savings. These winglets, designed by Aviation Partners, offered up to a 5.5% reduction in fuel consumption per aircraft compared to the previous blended winglets. The combination of these improvements has helped to optimise the fuel efficiency of the 737-800, making it a more economically and environmentally sustainable option for airlines.
In summary, while the 737-800 burns a substantial amount of fuel at 850 US gallons per hour, Boeing and aviation technology companies have continuously worked to enhance the aircraft's fuel efficiency. These improvements not only reduce operational costs for airlines but also contribute to a lower carbon footprint, making air travel more environmentally friendly.
NASCAR Fuel Capacity: Understanding the Limits
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 737NG has a redesigned wing with a larger area and a wider wingspan
The Boeing 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 litres) of jet fuel per hour. It is the most common variant of the 737NG (Next Generation) family. The 737NG is an upgrade of the 737 Classic series, with a redesigned wing that has a 16-foot-longer wingspan, a 25% larger wing area, greater fuel capacity, and higher maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs). The redesigned wing also features Split Scimitar winglets, which produce up to a 5.5% fuel saving per aircraft. The wingtip was extended by 9 inches, and the leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps were adjusted for improved aerodynamics. The new wing design, combined with upgraded engines, increases the 737's range by 900 nautical miles, permitting transcontinental service.
The 737NG's wing is a significant improvement over the 737 Classic's, with a larger area for more lift and an advanced geometry that reduces drag. The new wing has a larger volume, allowing it to hold more fuel for longer-range flights. The wing's improved takeoff and landing performance also helps to reduce community noise, making it possible to schedule flights into and out of restrictive airports with strict noise regulations, such as London Heathrow. The 737NG's CFM56-7 series engines are more fuel-efficient, quieter, and have a higher pressure ratio than their predecessors. These engine improvements, along with the redesigned wing, contribute to the 737NG's reduced maintenance requirements and improved environmental performance.
The 737NG family offers airlines the opportunity to optimise capacity and performance while maintaining the economic advantages of a single-type fleet. The commonality and standardisation across the 737NG variants make strategic partnerships, spare parts pooling, and fleet expansion easier. Additionally, the 737NG's improved fuel efficiency results in significantly lower CO2 emissions, ensuring that it meets and surpasses current and future environmental standards.
The 737NG series includes four variants: the -600, -700, -800, and -900, with passenger capacities ranging from 108 to 215. The -800 variant is the most-ordered, with a total of 5,205 aircraft ordered as of May 2025. However, in 2019, fatigue cracks were discovered in the "pickle fork" fuselage-to-wing attachment on some 737NG aircraft, leading to inspections and grounding of affected planes. Despite this issue, the 737NG's redesigned wing and improved systems have made it a popular and successful aircraft, with over 7,100 orders placed as of 2025.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Are They Worth the Investment?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 737-800 is the most common variant of the 737NG family
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft burns 850 US gallons (3,200 litres) of jet fuel per hour. It is the most common variant of the 737NG (Next Generation) family. The 737NG is an upgrade of the 737 Classic series, with a redesigned wing, wider wingspan, greater fuel capacity, and higher maximum takeoff weights (MTOW). The 737-800 is the best-selling variant of the 737NG family and is the most widely used narrow-body aircraft. As of May 2019, Boeing had delivered 4,979 737-800s, with 12 unfilled orders.
The 737-800 is part of the third generation of 737 aircraft, introduced in 1997. This generation includes the -600, -700, -800, and -900 variants, which seat between 108 and 215 passengers. The 737NG family's primary competition is the Airbus A320. As of May 2025, a total of 7,126 737NG aircraft had been ordered, with 7,116 delivered. Boeing stopped assembling commercial 737NGs in 2019 and made the final deliveries in January 2020.
The Irish airline Ryanair is one of the largest operators of the 737-800, with a fleet of over 400 aircraft serving routes across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. In 2011, a 737-800 operated by United Airlines became the first US commercial flight to be powered by a blend of algae-derived biofuel and traditional jet fuel, reducing its carbon footprint.
In February 2016, Boeing launched a passenger-to-freighter conversion program for the 737-800, designated as the 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter). The first converted aircraft was delivered to West Atlantic in April 2018. The 737-800BCF has seen further orders since, including from GECAS, which announced an agreement for 20 firm orders and 15 option orders at the 2018 Farnborough Airshow.
LadyBoss Fuel: What's the Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Boeing offered Messier-Bugatti-Dowty's carbon brakes for the 737s, reducing weight and fuel burn
The Boeing 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 L) of jet fuel per hour. In 2008, Boeing offered Messier-Bugatti-Dowty's carbon brakes for the 737s, which aimed to replace steel brakes and reduce the weight of the brake package. Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, now known as Safran Landing Systems, is the world's largest manufacturer of aircraft landing gear. The carbon brakes were expected to reduce the weight of the 737-800 by 700 pounds (320 kg), resulting in a 0.5% reduction in fuel burn. This weight reduction is significant as it directly influences fuel efficiency and burn.
Boeing's decision to offer Messier-Bugatti-Dowty's carbon brakes as an option for the 737s was part of its continuous improvement strategy for the aircraft. By reducing the weight of the brake package, Boeing aimed to enhance the overall performance and efficiency of the 737s. This weight reduction not only leads to fuel savings but also contributes to improving the aircraft's range and payload capacity.
The development and testing of these carbon brakes involved rigorous evaluation. Boeing conducted certification testing to ensure the carbon brakes met the required performance and safety standards. The testing phase included a month-long trial using a 737-900ER, which involved performing a high-speed rejected takeoff to assess the brakes' performance and reliability under demanding conditions.
The benefits of Messier-Bugatti-Dowty's carbon brakes extend beyond weight reduction and fuel efficiency. Carbon brakes offer improved heat resistance compared to steel brakes, which enhances their performance during high-energy stops and reduces the risk of brake fade. Additionally, carbon brakes typically have a longer service life than steel brakes, resulting in reduced maintenance costs and downtime for airlines.
The adoption of carbon brakes by Boeing for the 737s demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. By offering advanced technologies as options, Boeing provides its customers with choices that can help reduce their environmental impact. This aligns with the industry's ongoing efforts to minimise aviation's carbon footprint and promote more sustainable air travel.
Fuel Pump Replacement: Cost and Factors
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Split Scimitar winglets produce up to a 5.5% fuel saving per aircraft
The Boeing 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 litres) of jet fuel per hour.
Split Scimitar winglets can produce fuel savings of between 1.5% and 2.2%. They were developed by Aviation Partners Boeing and entered service in 2014. The winglets weigh 133kg (294 lbs) and initially cost $555,000. They are designed to be retrofitted to older aircraft.
The winglets are named after a Middle Eastern sword with a distinct curved blade ending in a sharp point. They work by producing a vortex or mini-tornado effect at the end of the wing, which reduces drag and, in turn, fuel consumption.
United Airlines was the first customer to fit Split Scimitar winglets. The airline's vice president of fleet operations, Ron Baur, said: "We are always looking for opportunities to reduce fuel expenses by improving the efficiency of our fleet. The Next-Generation 737 Split Scimitar Winglet will provide a natural hedge against rising fuel prices while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions."
Fossil Fuels: Our Dependence and Its Impact
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 L) of jet fuel per hour.
Yes, in 2014, Split Scimitar winglets became available for the 737-800, which produce up to a 5.5% fuel saving per aircraft.
In 2008, Boeing offered new carbon brakes for the 737-800, which reduced the weight of the aircraft and resulted in a 0.5% reduction in fuel burn.
The 737-800 has a higher fuel capacity and longer range compared to the 737 Classic series, which includes the -300, -400, and -500 variants.
The Airbus A320 family is the primary competition for the 737-800 and the overall 737NG series in terms of fuel efficiency and market share.
