Boeing 737 passenger and cargo options
Start with the passenger capacity, dates and routes you need. The 737-800 is the starting point for many enquiries; other variants can suit a different cabin or operating requirement.
- Passenger — Next Generation
- B737-700 · B737-800 · B737-900 · B737-900ER
- Passenger — Classic
- B737-300 · B737-400 · B737-500
- Passenger — MAX
- B737-8 (MAX 8) · B737-9 (MAX 9)
- Freighter conversions
- B737-300SF · B737-400SF · B737-800BCF · B737-800BDSF · B737-800SF
Potential aircraft options for assessment. An aircraft is considered available only after confirmation by ACMI Lease and, where applicable, by the responsible AOC holder for the proposed programme.
ACMI Lease assesses Boeing 737 ACMI lease requirements for airlines adding scheduled capacity, covering maintenance or planning a new route. Passenger aircraft can also serve whole-aircraft charter programmes for tour operators and organised groups. Freighter enquiries require a separate review of the cargo and loading arrangements.
Send the minimum seat requirement, operating base, routes and programme dates. We can then assess the 737-800 alongside other acceptable variants, with the cabin layout and commercial structure matched to the proposed operation.
Boeing 737-800 wet lease
A Boeing 737-800 wet lease can provide passenger capacity for seasonal schedules, replacement flying or delivery delays. For an airline, the useful comparison is the aircraft’s fit with its network: seats, baggage, daily sectors, base support and contract period.
Boeing publishes a maximum passenger capacity of 189 for the 737-800. An individual aircraft may have fewer seats, so a 189-passenger requirement needs a confirmed seating plan. Premium seating, seat pitch, galleys and baggage requirements also affect the offer.
- Passenger reference
- Up to 189 passengers, depending on the approved cabin layout.
- Aircraft length
- 39.5 metres.
- Published range reference
- Up to 2,800 nautical miles (5,190 km); actual route capability depends on aircraft and mission conditions.
Maximum passenger capacity and advertised range should not be treated as a promise that both are achievable on every route.
Boeing 737 range map
Choose a supported passenger or cargo variant and a departure airport to explore its reference range. The map starts with the passenger 737-800.
B737-800 indicative range
Select a departure airport or click the map to explore the reference radius.
Use the circle for initial planning. Payload, baggage, winds, reserves and airport performance affect the flight itself. Some converted-freighter entries use a labelled representative reference rather than conversion-specific performance; check the selected entry’s notes.
The selector includes the 737-900ER but has no separate 737-900 or 737-600 reference. It also has no 737-700BDSF reference. Do not substitute another variant’s circle for those aircraft. The responsible AOC holder confirms operational capability for the actual aircraft.
Other Boeing 737 passenger variants
737-700, 737-900 and 737-900ER
The 737-700 gives an airline a smaller passenger option within the Next Generation family. The longer 737-900 and 737-900ER serve a different capacity requirement. Identify the exact variant in the enquiry: the 737-900 and 737-900ER have different certified characteristics and should not share a generic performance assumption.
A programme does not need to insist on one model if several could meet the schedule. State the minimum seats and essential cabin features, then list acceptable alternatives. If a 737-600 is specifically required, include it for a separate availability assessment.
737-300, 737-400 and 737-500
Classic 737 passenger aircraft may be considered where the cabin, aircraft condition and intended operating environment fit the programme. Include any aircraft-age limits and destination restrictions at the start. Maintenance planning and support at the proposed base are also relevant to the assessment.
737 MAX 8 and MAX 9
The 737 MAX family includes the 737-8 and 737-9. The 737-8 is a different generation from the 737-800, despite their similar names. Specify MAX 8 or MAX 9 when that is the requirement, together with the desired cabin and operating countries.
Any MAX proposal needs confirmation for the individual aircraft and programme. A manufacturer’s fleet description does not establish that an aircraft is available for wet lease.
Building a Boeing 737 ACMI programme
ACMI covers aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. The supplying AOC holder operates the aircraft under its AOC and retains the applicable operational responsibilities. The lessee may use its own airline designator and flight number where permitted; that flight number does not determine the governing AOC.
For a useful initial proposal, provide the route schedule as well as the expected monthly block hours. Several short sectors place different demands on an aircraft and its crews from fewer long sectors, even when the total flying hours are similar.
- Operating base, destinations and preferred start date.
- Contract duration, monthly block hours and expected sectors.
- Minimum seats, cabin layout, baggage allowance and catering needs.
- Maintenance cover, crew arrangements and any local operating constraints to be agreed.
- Flexibility on aircraft variant, start date and programme length.
Fuel, airport charges, ground handling, positioning and other costs need a clear allocation in the offer. See what an ACMI lease includes for the wider service structure.
Boeing 737 charter for tour operators and groups
A tour operator or event organiser can request a Boeing 737 charter for a departure, return journey or flight series. Start with the group size, airports and travel windows, then consider the cabin and baggage needs. The charter agreement defines the flights and services supplied.
Sports groups should include equipment as well as passenger baggage. Holiday programmes should identify each departure and return rotation, especially when loads differ between flights. These details help establish whether a single aircraft type can serve the entire programme.
For pilgrimage movements, see Hajj and Umrah aircraft charter and ACMI. Choose FULL CHARTER in the request form for a whole-aircraft flight or series, or ACMI for an airline capacity requirement.
Boeing 737 freighter ACMI and cargo charter
Cargo variants form a separate part of the Boeing 737 family. A freighter request should specify the conversion standard alongside the route, cargo weight, volume and loading requirements.
- 737-800BCF: Boeing’s passenger-to-freighter conversion.
- 737-800BDSF: IAI’s conversion of the 737-800.
- 737-800SF: a designation used for AEI’s 737-800 freighter conversion.
- 737-300SF and 737-400SF: Classic-series freighter conversions; check the precise conversion and loading layout.
- Other configurations: 737-700BDSF, 737-300QC and 737-200C requirements need their own configuration assessment. Quick-change or convertible aircraft should not automatically be treated as dedicated freighters.
Boeing publishes a 24-tonne maximum structural payload and a 2,000-nautical-mile range reference for the 737-800BCF. Those figures are specific to that reference and must not be assigned automatically to BDSF or SF conversions. Gross structural payload is not necessarily the net shipment weight available on a particular flight.
Recurring airline freight programmes can be assessed through Cargo ACMI Lease. For a dedicated shipment or flight series, see Air Cargo Charter. Include piece dimensions, cargo density, pallet requirements and any dangerous goods in the enquiry.
How ACMI Lease develops the proposal
Depending on the requirement, the solution may involve aircraft owned or managed by ACMI Lease, aircraft placed or dry-leased with partner AOC holders, aircraft acquired or financed with our involvement, established AOC-partner capacity or selected third-party capacity.
The proposal identifies the aircraft, commercial arrangement and responsible AOC holder for the programme. For passenger enquiries, request the seating plan; for cargo, request the loading specification. These are more useful than relying on a model name alone.
Boeing 737 leasing questions
Is a 737-800 the same as a MAX 8?
No. The 737-800 belongs to the Next Generation family. The 737-8, commonly called MAX 8, belongs to the MAX family. Specify which aircraft is required or whether both can be considered.
Can we request 189 passenger seats?
Yes. Include 189 seats as a minimum requirement, with your baggage and cabin needs. The proposed 737-800 must have an appropriate approved seating configuration and meet the route requirement.
Can a tour operator request a series of flights?
Yes. Submit each route, the travel dates, expected passenger numbers and any flexibility. A series charter can be assessed as a whole-aircraft programme; recurring flights do not automatically require an ACMI arrangement.
Request Boeing 737 capacity
Send your schedule through the aircraft request form. Select ACMI for airline wet lease or FULL CHARTER for a dedicated flight or series, and identify whether the requirement is passenger or cargo.
Send your Boeing 737 requirement
Every proposed programme remains subject to confirmation by ACMI Lease and, where applicable, by the responsible AOC holder, together with aircraft availability, operational feasibility, regulatory approval and agreed commercial terms.