Discover insights, tips, and stories from the skies — from aircraft buying guides to pilot training.
Published: October 9, 2025
Have you ever looked out at an airplane and wondered what kind it was? Many travelers see jets that look alike, especially when flying on popular routes in the United States.
The Boeing 737 is one of the most common planes in the sky—at any moment, about 2,800 are flying, and a 737 takes off or lands roughly every 1.5 seconds.
With a few easy clues, you can start spotting one like a pro the next time you’re at an airport or watching a takeoff.
Learning to recognize this famous jet is both fun and useful for anyone curious about air travel.
The Boeing 737 is the most widely flown aircraft in the world. You’ve probably flown on one without even realizing it. Almost every major airline in the U.S. operates 737s, from Southwest to American and United. Learning to identify them gives you a deeper look into how air travel works.
For people who love planes, spotting a 737 can be a rewarding hobby. It’s like learning to recognize different car models but in the sky. And because 737s come in many versions—like the 737 NG, 737 MAX, and 737-800—there’s always something new to notice.
Here are a few good reasons to learn:
You’ll notice that the Boeing vs Airbus debate often comes up among aviation fans. People compare the Boeing aircraft line, like the 737 or Boeing 777, with Airbus aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or Airbus A220. These families share a lot in common, but they each have their own look and build.
Spotting a 737 helps you tell them apart more easily. It also connects you to aviation history since this model has been flying for decades. Before you start picking out 737s, it helps to understand how airplanes differ in the first place.
Every plane may seem similar at first—long body, two wings, and a tail—but each has features that make it unique. The main clues are found in the nose of the aircraft, cockpit window, engines, and the tail cone. These parts shape how the plane looks from different angles.
Let’s look at what matters most:
Newer jets like the 737 MAX 9 or Boeing 737 MAX have even larger engine housings and special curved winglets. Older types like the 737 NG or 737-800 use blended winglets with a smoother look. Planes like the 787, 777, and Boeing 767 are larger overall, so their parts look longer and more spaced out.
Even small details, like the number of doors or emergency exit placements, can hint at the model. For example, long-range planes often have an extra exit in the middle. The 737 family usually has a simpler layout with doors at the front and rear and sometimes one more between the wing and tail.
Understanding these key details gives you a solid foundation. Next, let’s explore what makes the 737’s shape so recognizable.
The 737 is easy to spot once you know its features. Its design has stayed consistent across generations, from early models to the latest 737 MAX series. It’s like seeing a familiar face with a few updates over time.
Here’s what stands out:
If you look closely, the 737 often appears “closer to the runway” than other jets. That’s because early models were designed for smaller airports without high boarding bridges. Boeing kept that same low structure, even on later versions like the 737 MAX 9 and Boeing 737-800.
Another way to tell a 737 apart is by its wing style. Most 737s today feature winglets that curve upward or split into two points. These help save fuel and make the plane more efficient. You’ll also spot small details like an extra emergency exit door on longer models.
For comparison, Airbus models like the Airbus A320 or Airbus A220 have higher ground clearance and smoother-shaped engine nacelles. The 737’s engines look a bit “flattened” underneath, a trademark of how Boeing designed them to fit the lower airframe.
When you see a Boeing 737 lined up next to larger jets like the Boeing 777 or 787, you’ll notice how compact it looks. Its rounded tail and small landing gear make it perfect for short and medium flights. Once you’ve noticed these traits a few times, you’ll find it easy to tell the difference between a 737 and other jets around the airport.
Spotting a Boeing 737 takes a bit of practice, but once you know what to look for, it becomes second nature. This type of commercial aircraft is one of the most common in the sky, so learning how to identify it can make your next airport visit or flight a little more interesting.
| Feature | What to Look For on a Boeing 737 | How It Differs from Other Planes (like Airbus A320) | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nose Shape | Pointed and slightly narrow | Airbus noses are rounder and more bulb-shaped | The nose gives the 737 its “fast” look and helps balance its lower body |
| Cockpit Windows | Angled downward at the outer edges | Airbus windows are more square and straight | A quick way to recognize Boeing’s sharper design style |
| Engines | Slightly flattened bottom; close to the wing | Airbus engines are perfectly round and hang lower | The flat shape helps the 737’s low body clear the ground |
| Engine Placement | Mounted in front of and close under the wing | Airbus engines are centered lower under the wing | One of the most reliable spotting clues |
| Landing Gear | Short legs; main wheels partly visible when retracted | Airbus gear is taller; wheels are fully enclosed | The 737’s low stance makes boarding easier at small airports |
| Fuselage Height | Low to the ground with a compact body | Airbus A320 sits higher off the runway | Keeps the 737 ideal for quick turnarounds |
| Winglets | Curved or split-tip fins on most modern models | A320s have smaller, simpler “sharklets” | Shape shows which 737 generation you’re seeing |
| Tail (Rear of Plane) | Slim, tall fin with narrow tail cone | Airbus tail is shorter and thicker | The tail design has changed little since 1967 |
| Emergency Exits | Two main doors per side; sometimes one mid-cabin door or plug | Some Airbus models have evenly spaced doors | Door count hints at 737 size (short or stretched version) |
| Overall Size | Short-to-medium length fuselage | A320 is similar but slightly taller and wider | Helps spot a 737 on crowded airport ramps |
| Generations of 737 | Classic → NG → MAX | Airbus A320 → A320neo | Each generation brings new engines and winglets |
Let’s walk through what makes the 737 look the way it does and how you can recognize it from other Boeing jets or Airbus aircraft.
The 737 has a compact look. Its body, or fuselage, is shorter and lower to the ground than many other passenger jets. The fuselage length changes depending on the version—some are longer, like the Boeing 737 Next Generation, while others are shorter. But all 737s share a similar round, sturdy shape. The plane looks balanced, with a smooth front and slightly raised rear of the plane.
If you compare it to bigger aircraft like the Boeing 787, the 737 looks smaller and sits closer to the runway. That lower stance is one of its key signs. Early versions of the 737 were made for smaller airports, so Boeing kept the landing gear short. Later versions, including the MAX and NG, still have that same low design.
When looking at a 737 from the side, notice how the nose lines up with the main body. The nose landing gear sits close under the cockpit, making the plane appear almost level when parked. In contrast, larger jets like the 777 or 787 stand taller with longer gear legs.
The cockpit windows are a great clue for aircraft identification. The Boeing 737 has windows that slant downward slightly, giving the front a sharp, angled look. This detail helps many people spot a Boeing right away. On the other hand, the Airbus aircraft—like the A320 or A220—have squarer windows with smoother edges.
When comparing the two brands, think of Boeing vs Airbus as a study in angles versus curves. Boeing tends to have sharper lines, while Airbus favors rounder shapes. Knowing this small difference between Boeing and Airbus designs can help you spot them easily, even from a distance.
The shape of the nose landing gear also helps. On the 737, it’s positioned closer to the front of the plane, which makes the aircraft appear slightly forward-leaning when standing still. It’s a subtle cue but a helpful one for anyone practicing aircraft spotting.
The 737’s engine placement is one of its most unique features. The engines sit just below and slightly in front of the wings. Because the plane sits low, Boeing had to shape the engines differently from other aircraft. The bottoms of the engines appear a little flat instead of perfectly round. This flattened design gives away the 737 almost immediately.
If you look closely, you’ll see how the engines are tucked close to the front of the wing. On most 737s, the engine covers—called nacelles—have a distinct oval shape. That’s very different from many Airbus aircraft, where the engines hang lower and look rounder.
This change in engine shape began with the newer generations of 737, especially the Boeing 737 Next Generation and the MAX series. These later versions have larger, more fuel-efficient engines. Still, they keep the same low placement, which makes the overall appearance easy to recognize. Once you learn this visual cue, you’ll spot a 737’s engines anywhere.
Every 737 has wings that connect near the middle of the body, but the tips are what really stand out. Modern 737s have winglets—the curved or split fins at the end of the wings. These reduce drag and help save fuel. Early 737s didn’t have them, but most have been upgraded with the newer designs.
There are a few different styles of winglets across the 737 family:
If you see an airplane with winglets that curve both up and down, you’re likely looking at a MAX version. These design upgrades make spotting each generation easier for hobbyists and frequent flyers alike.
The 737’s landing gear setup is another reliable clue. The main landing gear doesn’t fully fold into the body when retracted. If you see a 737 from below in flight, you might notice the main wheels are slightly visible under the wings. That’s something you won’t find on an Airbus A320 or other models, which hide their wheels completely inside.
On the ground, the 737 looks compact with shorter gear legs. This keeps passengers closer to the ground when boarding—something you might notice if you walk up a mobile staircase instead of a jet bridge.
Doors can also help with aircraft identification. Most 737s have two main passenger doors on each side, plus over-wing emergency exits. Some longer models add one extra emergency exit near the back or center of the cabin. The number and position of these exits help pilots and crew plan seating and evacuation routes, but they’re also a helpful sign for spotters trying to figure out which version they’re seeing.
The rear of the plane is another area where Boeing’s design style stands out. The 737’s tail has a smooth triangular shape with a slightly rounded edge. The vertical fin is tall but narrow, and the horizontal stabilizers are positioned low, near the base of the tail cone. This gives the aircraft a balanced and compact look.
If you compare that to an Airbus A320, you’ll see the Airbus tail looks shorter and thicker. It also sits higher off the ground. These small details add up to a clear picture once you know how to observe them carefully.
The tail design hasn’t changed much through the generations of 737, so it’s one of the most consistent identifiers across models. Even with updates to engines, wings, and systems, the tail section has kept its familiar Boeing appearance.
Understanding how to identify Boeing and Airbus is key to becoming a confident plane spotter. Boeing aircraft, including the 737, tend to have sharper angles and slimmer noses. Airbus aircraft often look rounder with a softer curve at the front.
You can summarize their main differences like this:
These design habits go beyond one model. The 737 shares a similar style with the Boeing 787 and 777, while the A320 shares features with other members of the Airbus family. So, once you learn the look of one brand, you’ll start spotting patterns in others too.
This type of learning builds your confidence in recognizing passenger aircraft at any airport. Whether you’re looking out the window during boarding or watching planes take off, these visual clues tell you a lot about what you’re seeing.
When learning how to tell if a plane is a 737, focus on the full picture instead of one detail. The 737’s identity comes from its combination of traits:
Each clue adds another layer to your understanding. Soon, you won’t need to guess—you’ll recognize a 737 instantly, even from a distance.
Learning to spot planes takes patience, but it’s a fun skill to build. The more you watch, the better your eye becomes at seeing the details that make each aircraft unique.
With these tips, you’ll have no trouble identifying a Boeing 737 the next time you’re at the airport or watching the skies.
Learning how to tell if a plane is a 737 is like picking up a new travel skill. You’ll start spotting details you never noticed before—the nose shape, the engines, even where the wheels sit. The next time you board a flight, take a look out the window or at the gate sign. You might be able to name the aircraft before the crew does.
Keep your eyes open, enjoy the view, and keep learning with Flying411!
Most 737s seat between 130 and 180 passengers, depending on the model and airline layout.
The latest model is the Boeing 737 MAX, including versions like the MAX 8 and MAX 9.
Look at the nose and cockpit windows—737s are sharper, and A320s are rounder and higher off the ground.
Winglets reduce drag and help save fuel. The 737’s winglets have changed shape across models.
No. The 737 is built for short and medium routes, while planes like the 777 or 787 handle longer trips.
