Aircraft variant

737 MAX 8 — safety record, routes and operators

Fourth-generation 737 with CFM LEAP-1B engines and improved aerodynamics, marketed as 14% more fuel-efficient than the 737-800. Grounded worldwide March 2019 to December 2020 following two fatal crashes (Lion Air 610, Ethiopian 302); returned to service after MCAS software and crew training revisions.

First flight 2016-01-29. Capacity 162-200 pax. Range 6,570 km. Engines: CFM LEAP-1B.

Boeing 737 MAX 8 — safety & facts

Safety record

Recorded occurrences
62
Hull losses
4
Fatal accidents
4
Total fatalities
726
Records span
1978–2026

Based on 62 occurrences across NTSB, ASN, MAK, ATSB & Wikidata records. See full safety record →

Key facts

Manufacturer
Boeing
Typical seats
162-200 pax
Range
6,570 km
First flight
2016-01-29
Last fatal hull loss: 2019

Color reflects time since the last recorded fatal hull-loss involving this type, drawn from public datasets (NTSB, Aviation Safety Network, Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives, Wikidata). It is not a commercial safety rating and does not normalise for flights flown, hours, or fleet size — for those, see the manufacturer or IATA Safety Report.

Notable events

  1. — B38M (191 fatal)
  2. — Lion Air — B38M (189 fatal)
  3. — Lion Air — B38M (189 fatal)
  4. — Ethiopian Airlines — B38M (157 fatal)

2020s

  • — SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO — B38M (incident)
  • — Southwest Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Ryanair — B38M (incident)
  • — United Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — United Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Air India Express — B38M (incident)
  • — B38M (incident)
  • — Malta Air — B38M (incident)
  • — Malta Air, opf Ryanair — B38M (incident)
  • — Ryanair — B38M (incident)
  • — Sun Express Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — United Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — United Air Lines — B38M (incident)
  • — Aerolineas Argentinas — B38M (incident)
  • — Ryanair — B38M (incident)
  • — Ryanair — B38M (incident)
  • — Ryanair — B38M (incident)
  • — Aeromexico — B38M (incident)
  • — American Airlines, Inc. — B38M (incident)
  • — B38M (incident)
  • — WestJet Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Ryanair — B38M (incident)
  • — B38M (incident)
  • — FLY Dubai — B38M (incident)
  • — United Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Oman Air — B38M (incident)
  • — Oman Air — B38M (incident)
  • — B38M (incident)
  • — B38M (incident)
  • — Airline Norwegian Air Shuttle AOC — B38M (incident)
  • — SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO — B38M (incident)
  • — Southwest Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Sunwing Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Ryanair — B38M (incident)
  • — Ryanair — B38M (incident)
  • — Aeromexico — B38M (incident)
  • — PLL LOT — B38M (incident)
  • — Royal Air Maroc — B38M (incident)
  • — THY Turkish Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Korean Air — B38M (incident)
  • — SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO — B38M (incident)
  • — Aeromexico — B38M (incident)
  • — Air Canada — B38M (incident)
  • — UNITED AIRLINES INC — B38M (incident)
  • — UNITED AIRLINES INC — B38M (incident)
  • — SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO — B38M (incident)
  • — SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO — B38M (incident)
  • — Flair Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — American Airlines Inc — B38M (incident)
  • — American Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Air Canada — B38M (incident)
  • — Singapore Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Flydubai Airlines — B38M (incident)
  • — Enter Air Sp. x o.o — B38M (incident)
  • — Campania Panamena de Avicion SA — B38M (incident)

2010s

  • — Ethiopian Airlines — B38M (157 fatal)
  • — Aviación Comercial — B38M (incident)
  • — Aviación Comercial — B38M (incident)
  • — Lion Air — B38M (189 fatal)
  • — B38M (191 fatal)
  • — Lion Air — B38M (189 fatal)
  • — KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES — B38M (incident)

1990s

  • — Continental Airlines — B38M (incident)

1970s

  • — United Air Lines,inc. — B38M (incident)

Operators

Operated by 10 airlines (top by frequency in our observed-flights dataset):

  • Ryanair3,037 observed flights
  • Southwest Airlines1,204 observed flights
  • American Airlines569 observed flights
  • TUI Airways515 observed flights
  • United Airlines511 observed flights
  • Gol325 observed flights
  • Norwegian296 observed flights
  • WestJet277 observed flights
  • Allegiant Air274 observed flights
  • SmartWings259 observed flights

Top routes

  • AALAGP (1 flight)
  • AALALC (1 flight)
  • AALBLL (1 flight)
  • AALCPH (1 flight)
  • AALLCA (1 flight)
  • AALLPA (1 flight)
  • AALNCE (1 flight)
  • AALPMI (1 flight)
  • AARAGP (1 flight)
  • AARPMI (1 flight)

Part of the Boeing 737 (all variants) family.

Recent airline activity

Observed 10,413 active routes flown by 97 airlines in the last 30 days.

Operators: Ryanair (2545), Southwest Airlines (1146), Thomsonfly (426), American Airlines (424), United Airlines (375)

Top routes: DLM–BER, BKI–SZB, BEN–IST, IST–MED, YYZ–CLE

Based on live ADS-B observations collected by FlightFinder, as of 2026-07-28.

Frequently asked questions

When did the 737 MAX 8 first fly?

The 737 MAX 8 made its first flight in 2016-01-29.

How many passengers does the 737 MAX 8 carry?

The 737 MAX 8 has a typical capacity of 162-200 pax passengers.

What is the range of the 737 MAX 8?

The 737 MAX 8 has a range of about 6570 km.

What engines does the 737 MAX 8 use?

The 737 MAX 8 is powered by CFM LEAP-1B.