About the Boeing 737-300
In the Classic family, the -300 is longer than the -500 and shorter than the -400. The cabin has room for multiple layouts. Boeing’s planning manual shows how a change in row spacing can alter capacity within the same fuselage.
Seating capacity
Boeing shows 128 seats in a mixed-class configuration and 140 or 149 seats in two all-economy configurations. Those totals describe particular examples. The operating airline’s seat map shows the configuration for your flight.
Cabin layout
In Boeing’s drawings, regular economy rows have three seats on each side of a single aisle. The mixed-class example places eight First Class seats ahead of 120 Economy seats. In the two all-economy examples, the spacing between rows changes from 32 inches in the 140-seat drawing to 30 inches in the 149-seat drawing.
How to recognize a Boeing 737-300
When comparing side views at the same scale, the -300 sits between the -500 and -400 in fuselage length. A large cargo door on the left can indicate a conversion like the AEI 737-300SF. Check the registration when a photo leaves the exact model unclear.
Variants and related aircraft
The FAA lists B733 for the -300, B734 for the -400 and B735 for the -500. The 737-300SF is a cargo conversion of the -300. The later 737-700 belongs to the Next-Generation family and uses B737.
Boeing 737-400 · Boeing 737-500
Frequently asked questions
Does every Boeing 737-300 have 149 seats?
Boeing shows 149 in its denser economy example. Its other examples have 140 or 128 seats. Check the seat map for the aircraft operating your flight.
What does 737-300SF mean?
It describes a 737-300 converted for freight. In the AEI conversion, the main deck carries cargo and a large door on the left provides access.