The Boeing 737-800 is a workhorse for American Airlines. This highly versatile aircraft is able to serve shorter routes and some longer international routes for the airline.
American Airlines is the world’s second-largest operator of this aircraft type. The aircraft experiences route competition from the company’s Airbus fleet and the newer Boeing 737 Max 8.
Despite having a major role in America’s domestic routes, the aging aircraft gets mixed reviews in terms of how comfortable it is to fly on despite efforts by America to modernize its cabin.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the routes that American Airlines uses their Boeing 737-800s on, how they acquired this aircraft type and some of the issues surrounding the comfort of flying on this airplane.
What type of routes does American Airlines use their Boeing 737-800s on?
American Airlines Uses the Boing 737-800 on Short to Medium Routes
American Airlines uses their Boeing 737-800s on short to medium domestic and some international routes.
The 737-800 can fly 3,378 miles when all fueled up. That range makes it capable of flying nonstop across the United States.
However, American Airlines also operates a fleet of Airbus aircraft. The Airbus A321 is utilized more frequently on American Airlines flights cross country since they can carry more passengers and better serve high-demanded routes.
The bulk of the routes this aircraft serves are primarily routes from American Airline’s hubs to destinations that are within 4 hours’ worth of flight time away.
These destinations have airports that are large enough to accommodate aircraft like the Boeing 737-800. There is also a demand to fly to these places.
American Airlines does not operate smaller regional aircraft directly to serve smaller commuter airports. They rely on American Eagle to connect those smaller cities to the main airports. That leaves the Airbus A319, A320, and the Boeing 737 to serve these shorter between-city routes.
Frequency of use of American’s Boeing 737-800
The 737-800 can fly many turns throughout the day. It is uncommon for a single aircraft to fly up to 5 different flights throughout the day for the airlines.
Since American Airlines is the largest operator of this aircraft type in the United States, the bulk of its travel within United States borders is completed using the Boeing 737-800.
So there is a high chance you will be flying on a Boeing 737-800 when you decide to fly a short to medium route with American Airlines
A List of American Airlines Routes That a Boeing 737-800 has flown
Below are several routes that we have observed American Airlines has flown a Boeing 737-800 on.
- Charlotte – Detriot
- Charlotte – Boston
- Dallas Fort Worth – Reno
- Dallas Fort Worth – Fresno
- Dallas Fort Worth – San Jose
- Dallas Fort Worth – San Antonio
- Dallas Fort Worth – Vancouver
- Dallas Fort Worth – Calgary
- Dallas Fort Worth – Bozeman
- Dallas Fort Worth – Burbank
- Dallas Fort Worth – Montrose
- Dallas Fort Worth – El Paso
- Dallas Fort Worth – Albuquerque
- Dallas Fort Worth – Boise
- Dallas Fort Worth – Missoula
- Dallas Fort Worth – St.Louis
- Dallas Fort Worth – Mcallen
- Dallas Fort Worth – Mexico City
- Dallas Fort Worth – San Antonio
- Dallas Fort Worth – Liberia
- Dallas Fort Worth – Cozumel
- Dallas Fort Worth – San Jose – Mexico
- Dallas Fort Worth – Knoxville
- Dallas Fort Worth – Minneapolis
- Dallas Fort Worth – Kansas City
- Dallas Fort Worth – New York – LaGuardia
- Dallas Fort Worth – Cleveland
- Dallas Fort Worth – Memphis
- Dallas Fort Worth – Montego Bay
- Dallas Fort Worth – Fort Lauderdale
- Dallas Fort Worth – Tampa
- Dallas Fort Worth – Miami
- Dallas Fort Worth – Newark
- Dallas Fort Worth – Washington-Reagan
- Dallas Fort Worth – Cincinnati
- Dallas Fort Worth – Detriot
- Dallas Fort Worth – New York – JFK
- LAX – San Jose Del Cabo
- LAX – Orlando
- LAX – Austin
- LAX – Nashville
- JFK – Miami
- JFK – Austin
- MCO – Washington-Reagan
- MIA – Houston
- MIA – San Salvador
- Chicago O’Hare – San Francisco
- Chicago O’Hare – Los Angeles
- Chicago O’Hare – Santa Ana
- Chicago O’Hare – Phoenix Sky Harbor
- Chicago O’Hare – las Vegas
- Chicago O’Hare – San Deigo
- Chicago O’Hare – Calgary
- Chicago O’Hare – Kalispell
- Chicago O’Hare – Salt Lake City
- Chicago O’Hare – Portland, Oregon
- Chicago O’Hare – Vancouver
- Chicago O’Hare – Seattle
- Chicago O’Hare – Alberquerque
- Chicago O’Hare – San Antonio
- Chicago O’Hare – Houston International
- Chicago O’Hare – Denver
- Chicago O’Hare – Sacramento
- Chicago O’Hare – Boseman
- Chicago O’Hare – Fort Myers
- Chicago O’Hare – Miami
- Chicago O’Hare – Orlando
- Chicago O’Hare – Raleigh-Durham
- Chicago O’Hare – Washington-Reagan
- Chicago O’Hare – Cancun
- Chicago O’Hare – Philadelphia
- Chicago O’Hare – BOS
- Philadelphia – Tampa
- Philadelphia – Las Vegas
- Phoenix Sky Harbor – Seattle
- Phoenix Sky Harbor – San Francisco
- Phoenix Sky Harbor – Cincinnati
How Did American Airlines Get the Boeing 737-800?
American Airlines historically operated Boeing aircraft. On long-haul flights, they used the Boeing 757, Boeing 767, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10s at one point. American Airlines used Boeing 737 classics on their shorter routes.
However as the Boeing 737 classic range began to age, American Airlines opted to upgrade to the Boeing 737 NG class which first started with the Boeing 737-800.
Since the airline began its onboarding of the 800, it has become the largest operator of this aircraft type in the world.
American Airlines currently has 303 Boeing 737-800s in its aircraft fleet. 291 aircraft are in active service with 12 being parked for storage.
Looming Threats for the Boeing 737-800
Despite being the largest operator of this aircraft class, the Boing 737-800 is facing threats as the aircraft is beginning to age.
In 2013, American Airlines merged with U.S Airways and acquired its entire aircraft fleet. U.S. Airways primarily used Airbus aircraft which meant that America now possesses Airbus A319s, A320s, and A321s that fit the same role as the Boeing 737-800.
On top of that, American has also begun ordering the brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 to ultimately start to phase out the 737-800. However, in 2020 there was a massive issue and grounding of the entire Boeing 737 Max fleet which caused a bunch of problems for airlines. With that said, that probably forced Americans to reconsider letting go of the older 737-800 aircraft.
Is The American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Comfortable to Fly On?
American Airlines has recently put its Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A321s on a cabin refurbishment program.
In 2021, the airline began the cabin renovation plan called “Oasis” to help these aging Boeing 737-800s to match the amenities given on the Boeing 737 Max 8.
This program added 12 additional seats to the aging 737, bringing the seat count to 172 which is on par with the amount of seats found on the 737 Max 8.
However, this was completed at the expense of removing padding from the seats which caused tremendous displeasure amongst travelers flying on the 737-800.
It is known that the American Airlines 737-800s isn’t the most comfortable aircraft to fly in the fleet.
Passenger Classes and Amenities on Boeing 737-800
There are only three passenger classes found on American’s 737-800. Passengers can choose First Class, Main Cabin Extra, and Main Cabin seating on these flights.
In First Class, there are 16 seats with 37 inches of seat pitch. The seats are also the widest found on the plane at 21 inches wide.
In Main Cabin Extra which is the upgraded version of Main Cabin, passengers experience 33 inches of seat pitch with about 17 inches of seat width per seat. American Airlines allocates 24 Main Cabin Extra seats on its 737-800s.
The majority of the seats on this aircraft are devoted to the Main Cabin class. 132 seats are available to be purchased by customers. The seat pitch is 30 inches and the seat width is the same as Main Cabin Extra, coming in at 17 inches as well.
American Airlines Boeing 737-800s come with full Wi-Fi capabilities and have power outlets for your electronic devices.
It is known that the American Airlines 737-800s isn’t the most comfortable aircraft to fly in the fleet. However, American Airlines is taking leaps to improve its customer experience on this aircraft.
Reviews of the flight experience on American’s Boeing 737-800
The following reviews can be found about American Airlines flights using the Boeing 737-800.
“The American 737-800 is more comfortable in its classic configuration. The new Oasis models are more cramped but in line with what most carriers offer these days. When given the choice, go for the classic experience.” – Cheap Air
“It is hard to find a 737 in service with a US carrier today that doesn’t have a modern interior. This is no exception. This 737 has been retrofitted with Boeing’s “Sky Interior” which provides plenty of overhead mood lighting that makes this plane feel larger than it is. However, the seats were tight. I didn’t have a lot of legroom, and I often felt like the only way I was able to stretch out was to sit on an angle.” – Zander Drives Cars
“As much as American’s Oasis 737s offer a not-great passenger experience, this was an all-around pretty great flight….While I sometimes give American a hard time, they’re running a really punctual operation at the moment and have excellent, high-speed Wi-Fi. Living in Miami I can’t really justify not flying them for the convenience.” – One Mile At a Time
Sources
https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-airlines-boeing-737-retrofits/
https://www.planespotters.net/airline/American-Airlines
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/planes/planes.jsp
