Can you tell the difference between the A320 and the B737 in this shot? (Angelo DeSantis / Flickr)
Pilots, planespotters and aviation buffs can quickly recognize nearly every aircraft type from the ground or in the air.
But it’s not so easy for the rest of us.
To help TravelSkills readers confidently recognize what they see overhead or out on the runway, we are going to offer up a series of posts dedicated to Planespotting 101. (Here’s last week’s post about the Boeing 717 and MD80/90 series)
Today let’s look at two ubiquitous planes – the Boeing 737 family and the Airbus A320 family.
See the pointy nose on the Boeing 737? The dorsal-like fin leading up to the tail? (Photo: Colin Brown / Flickr)
See the more bulbous nose on the Airbus? (Aero Icarus / Flickr)
The Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 are two of the most popular single-aisle planes flying. They are about the same size and look quite similar to the untrained eye.
The 737 is Boeing’s most widely produced aircraft and has nine variants flown by almost all major domestic airlines, especially Southwest, which operates only 737s and has 665 of ’em! Delta flies about 100.
The Airbus A320 (along with the similar A318, 319 and 321) is more popular overseas, but in the US, they comprise 100% of Virgin America’s fleet and much of JetBlue’s. US Airways has the largest Airbus fleet in the world, including nearly 270 in the A320 family. United has about 160. Delta has 105 A319s and A320s.
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Note the Airbus nose and windows (PurplePoulpe / Flickr)
Note the pointy nose and angular window in the Boeing (PurplePoulpe / Flickr)
The easiest way to tell the difference between a 737 and an A320 is by looking at the nose of the plane. Boeing jets tend to have pointy noses compared to Airbus noses which are more rounded and bulbous.
You can also look at the outer edge of the cockpit windows. On a 737, the windows have a sharp diagonal corner while the A320s windows are more square.
Also, look at the tail of both jets. The 737 has tail has small dorsal- like fin that extends at a slight angle from the top of the fuselage to the tail. That’s absent on the A320’s smaller tail. See it? The A320 also has a larger, more distinctive tail cone than the 737.
When flying the 737 or A320, do you notice much difference? Do you have a preference? Please leave your comments below.
(Here’s last week’s planespotting post about the Boeing 717 and MD80/90 series)
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Another way to tell the difference between these two jets is by sound. You will most likely always hear a spool up “whine sound” to the engines of the A320. Where as the 737 in any variant lacks this sound. The space inside is also a factor as the A320 “trumps” pardon the pun the 737 in that area as well. It’s a no wonder why i prefer flying on JetBlue who only uses Airbus A320’s and a few Embraer 175 and 190 variants. As opposed to SouthWest who solely uses 737’s particularly the 500 & 700 variants. A320’s in my opinion are a far nicer plane by far to travel on.
Excellent article!
I wish I was able to comment more on traveling in these awesome feats of aviation. I love airplanes but I am terrified (terrified!!) of flying. Here is the funniest thing. My dream job – Pilot! It’s a control issue!!
I always found the easiest way to tell these aircrafts apart is by the wingtips. Airbus has a very distinctive wingtip.
Both A320 and 737 exist with no winglet.
The 737 NG winglets and A320 “sharklets” look similar.
The sharklets were available before the A320 neo who just entered service last month.
That say, the A320 “original” winglets and the B737 MAX winglet are really distinctive.
What a great idea! I love watching the planes but too often can’t guess what I’m seeing. Thanks for the tips – I’ll keep watching for more and hope to eventually graduate to Planespotting 102! 😉
The 737 and 757 aren’t even in competition when it comes to looks. Between height and length, the 75 is more like an older cousin of the 73 than a sibling.
Airbus hands down. Larger and, on United in any case, much more leg room in FC. (That is carrier specific, of course, but United and Delta are 95% of my commercial flying experience.)
You are correct, the Airbus definitely feels a lot larger inside. The only drawback is if you are on one with the International Aero Engines. Holy cow is that one LOUD piece of motivation!
Not really Chris. Airbus “Sharklet” winglets were only introduced in October, 2013 and are only produced on the new A320-NEO. While they are available for retrofit to older A319/20/21s, less than 3% of those have them. You are 96% more likely to see the arrow shape winglet on an A319/20/21 than the sharklet so that usually is very easy way to tell the Airbus from the Boeing.
Thanks! Proving to be quite popular! — chris
love these ‘planespotting’ posts!
Thanks, EC. Glad you liked it. 757 is next in the series…. stay tuned. We were worried that these planespotting posts might have been too “dumbed down” but they’ve been hugely popular. So now we know that a LOT of folks are a bit unconfident when it comes to IDing planes 🙂 — chris
Great post Chris. Now what about 737 vs 757?
To me, the age of the aircraft makes a bigger difference in comfort than the aircraft type.
I have flown on both old and new of both the 737 and a320, and the newer ones were both more comfortable than the older ones.
I go for the tail first – the “O” APU exhaust is a dead giveaway. Then over to the number of overwing exits to choose between the A319 and A320.
I hate to say it because I prefer Boeing’s control model, but the 320 and family is more comfortable. Wider seats and doesn’t have the crazy cramped forward lavatory
I prefer the Boeing 737.
Thanks, Greg. Have you seen the new Airbus winglets? Look just like those on the 737s so I left that feature off the list. See this: https://www.google.com/search?q=airbus+a320+winglets#q=airbus+a320+winglets+images
Cheers
Chris
I usually look at the winglets first. The Airbus ones are shaped like an arrow and much smaller than the Boeing. Older 737’s may not have winglets, but all 320’s do so that is another way to tell the difference.
Thanks for that fun fact, Blue! I’ll add that.
Chris
Ouch, you’re not going to get much love from the boys and girls in Forth Worth. US Airways is the largest operator of the Airbus 320 family in the world. US is operating approximately 262 of the 320 family of aircraft, including 111 of the 321 which is just a cash making machine. Once you add the future orders for American, they will be close to 500. As a passenger, I prefer the Airbus over the Boeing. The cabin just feels wider, and therefore roomier in the Airbus. Oh yes, the seats in the Airbus are 18′ wide (US Airways) vs. 17.2′ in the 737 (United)