Boeing 737-800 Review: Who Has the Best 737, American or United?

The Boeing 737-800 flies more flights than any other domestic aircraft and is a solid foundation for the American and United Airlines fleet. And with the new  Boeing “Sky Interior,” the 787 Dreamliner baby brother is sleek, fuel efficient and offers a better passenger experience than previous versions. The new Sky Interior offers larger overhead bins that pivot down (as opposed to fixed bins with latch covers), mood lighting, larger windows and sculpted sidewalls. That’s the standard package provided by Boeing. The rest is up to the individual airlines.

Let’s look at United’s Boeing 737-800 first:

United has four versions of this plane so it’s pretty much a gamble on which version you’re gonna end up in. The seat width (21”, 17.2”, 17.2”), seat recline (7.3”, 3”, 3”) and seat pitch (38”, 35”, 31”) are all the same for each cabin class (First, Econ Plus, Economy) but the difference is in the number of seats, type of IFE entertainment (if any) and availability of power outlets.

1. Version 1 offers 20 First, 18 Economy Plus and 114 Economy seats, main screen entertainment and no power outlets.
2. Version 2 offers 16 First, 18 Economy Plus and 128 Economy seats, Direct TV entertainment and power outlets at every First and Economy Plus seat.
3. Version 3 offers 16 First, 48 Economy Plus and 90 Economy seats, Direct TV entertainment and power outlets in First and Economy Plus seat.
4. Version 4 offers 14 First and 141 Economy seats, main screen entertainment and no power outlets.

Now, let’s look at American Airlines’ Boeing 737-800:

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American has three versions of this plane and chances are you’re gonna end up in Version 1 or 2, considering Version 3 is the newest addition. The seats in First are configured 2×2 and 3×3 in Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin. All the economy seats are “fixed back” meaning the seatbacks do not recline back. Instead, the seat cushion articulates forward, giving you the sense of recline, without actually reclining back into your rear seatmate’s knees. Personally, I hate these seats because they just make me feel as if I’m slouching. So horrible for your posture but I digress.

There are no individual screens and all and entertainment can be viewed on the 10.4” shared screens throughout the cabins. Power outlets are provided in every First Class seat and in every 3 Main Cabin seat. Wifi and streaming entertainment can be streamed to your wifi enabled device for a fee.

1. Version 1 offers 16 First and 132 Main Cabin seats.  First Class seats are 21” wide and offer 40 – 42” of pitch. Main Cabin seats are 17.2” wide and offer 30 to 32” of pitch.
2. Version 2 offers 16 First and 140 Main Cabin seats.  First Class seats are 21” wide and offer 40” of pitch. Main Cabin seats are 17.2” wide and offer 31” of pitch. It’s amazing how many more seats you can fit in from taking an inch away from the other seats huh??
3. Version 3 offers 16 First, 56 Main Cabin Extra and 78 Main Cabin seats. First Class seats are 21” wide and offer 40” of pitch. Main Cabin Extra seats are 17.2” wide and offer 35 – 37” of pitch. Main Cabin seats are 17.2” wide and offer 31” of pitch.