On my recent trip, I got to fly two similar but different versions of what’s become a very controversial aircraft back-to-back with the same airline. Based on this, I’d like to provide my thoughts on the Boeing 737 MAX versus 737 NG, though I’m sure my conclusion won’t surprise anyone.
The two airlines I fly the most are Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines. As such, the aircraft I end up on the most are different flavors of the Boeing 737. Yeah, I sometimes end up on an Embraer E175 (Horizon), Airbus A330 (Hawaiian), or Boeing 717 (Hawaiian), but over the last eight years, the 737 has been my most frequent chariot in the sky.
Now, I know people have strong feelings about the Boeing 737, and I don’t blame them. After all, the 737 MAX has had a tumultuous journey thus far. Thankfully, the last incident wasn’t lethal, though it could’ve been. Still, the aftermath of the incident should provide some comfort to travelers. After all, the Boeing 737 MAX 9 is now the most scrutinized airplane in the sky. So, to me, that’s the one you’d want to be on, right? But that’s not the point of this post – the different experiences of the Boeing 737 MAX versus 737 NG is. At least as it pertains to Southwest Airlines’ fleet.
Boeing 737 MAX versus 737 NG
Aside from airline-specific specifications, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 are virtually identical aside from their respective sizes/passenger capacities. The same is true for the 737-700/800/900, which are collectively known as the NG. So, you can extrapolate general characteristics from this post to all of these aircraft types, regardless of who flies them except, again, airline-specific specs, such as seats, power, entertainment, etc.
Boeing 737-800
First up in this Boeing 737 MAX versus 737 NG comparison is the aircraft I flew the most recently – Southwest’s Boeing 737-800. The specific aircraft I flew was N8320J, a nearly 12-year-old plane.
Stylistically, these aircraft feature the Boeing Sky Interior, meaning that they feature the larger, pivoting overhead bins, giving them expanded carry-on bag space. They also have mood lighting, though it doesn’t seem to get used on the ground. The seats are Southwest’s current generation design with a literature pocket up top and a small netted pocket down below. Power isn’t available in any shape or form on these aircraft.
None of this is new to anyone that has flown with Southwest, nor is the sound levels onboard these aircraft. I don’t know the exact decibel level, but the cabin of the 737 NG is quite noisy, even when seated all the way up front – row 3 in this case – and even when cruising. That’s not something you really notice, though, unless you’ve also flown a more modern aircraft recently.
Boeing 737 MAX 8
Next up in my Boeing 737 MAX versus 737 NG comparison is, naturally, the MAX, a MAX 8 to be precise. The specific aircraft flown was N8781Q, a nearly two-year-old MAX 8.
As you can see in the photo below, the moonlighting on these jets are in full effect while on the ground. However, aside from that, the interiors are fairly similar. The seats are almost exactly the same, except that this particular MAX had both USB-A and USB-C ports. Few aircraft in Southwest’s fleet have power, but that’ll change over time.
The most noticeable difference, at least to me, was the sound levels. I noted the difference after my first MAX flight, but this time around, having flow the MAX first, I estimate the interior noise levels are around 50% lower than what you experience on NG birds – at least, that was my perception. I really should have used a sound level app on my iPhone to get a rough measurement, but I didn’t realize I’d be flying an NG again until I was checking in for the flight. Nevertheless, Mrs. Island Miler noted the stark difference in noise, too. And it’s not just at cruise. Takeoff is significantly quieter, too.
Boeing 737 MAX versus 737 NG, Final Thoughts
Again, I acknowledge that the Boeing 737 MAX has its issues, and that Boeing continues to have issues. But I personally feel safe onboard their aircraft and wouldn’t hesitate to fly anything from Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Bombardier, etc. They all have issues, including the 737’s main competitor – the Airbus A320 family. Heck, my flight was once delayed by two hours because an A320’s brakes overheated taxiing around LAS and had to hold on a taxiway for 30 minutes to cool off – this has never happened to me on a 737.
But, anyway, in terms of my Boeing 737 MAX versus 737 NG comparison, I actively seek out MAX flights if I can. Not only do their more updated interiors make flying them more pleasant, but so too does their quietness.