Boeing 737-300

Boeing · United States · first flew 1984 · airliner

The 737-300 was the launch variant of the Classic series, introducing CFM56 turbofans and a modern glass cockpit while retaining the narrow-body single-aisle fuselage.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, swept
E — Engines	2 × turbofan, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Fuselage 33.4 m — shortest Classic, clearly shorter than -400 and -500
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

CFM56 engines with distinctive non-circular nacelles flattened at the bottom — larger than JT8D but the same signature shape
Fuselage 33.4 m — shortest Classic, clearly shorter than -400 and -500
New advanced flight deck with EFIS displays distinguishable through cockpit windows; no winglets

Shorter than the -400 by 3.2 m and longer than the Original -200; the CFM56 nacelles are larger but retain the flat-bottom shape that marks all 737s.

Specifications

The Boeing 737-300 has a length of 33.4 m (110 ft).
It has a wingspan of 28.9 m (95 ft).
Its maximum speed is 876 km/h (544 mph).
Typical crew: 2 flight crew.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

USAir and Southwest Airlines launched the type in November 1984. The CFM56-3 engines required their signature flattened nacelle to maintain ground clearance, a 737 hallmark ever since. A total of 1,113 were built, and many remain in freighter service.

Variants

The -300QC was a quick-change convertible; passenger-to-freighter conversions are widespread in cargo operations.

Where you'll see it

Large numbers still fly as freighters with operators such as West Atlantic and ASL Airlines; dwindling passenger numbers remain in developing markets.

Related aircraft

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