When you ask a pilot who has experience flying both Airbus and Boeing narrowbody aircraft to characterize the Boeing 737, the discussion is likely to shift away from topics like speed, range, or passenger capacity. Instead, it may focus on the sensation of the controls or how the aircraft reacts to the pilot’s inputs. Since the late 1960s, Boeing has consistently updated the aircraft, as evidenced by its own historical records of the 737 family. However, despite these numerous updates, the 737 has preserved certain traits that have become quite rare in contemporary commercial aviation.
These distinctions are especially apparent to pilots familiar with both Boeing and Airbus models. Some pilots value the tactile feedback and engagement required by the 737, while others highlight the increased workload and features that have been automated in newer aircraft designs. So, what exactly makes the 737 such a unique aircraft to operate? We have identified seven features that pilots frequently discuss in aviation forums and that have been highlighted in our earlier reports. The list progresses from the overarching philosophy behind the aircraft to the mechanical aspect that arguably underpins all the others. The final point is particularly significant, as it explains why several of the other characteristics still persist.
Its Design Still Embodies A Manual-First Philosophy
Understanding why the 737 feels distinct necessitates examining the philosophy that guided its design. Boeing has historically fostered a more direct connection between pilots and various aircraft systems, enabling crews to see, hear, and physically sense elements that newer aircraft increasingly manage through automation. This does not imply that the 737 lacks sophisticated systems; the Boeing 737 MAX, for instance, features a highly modern flight deck. Nevertheless, some of the fundamental design decisions made decades ago are still evident in how pilots engage with the aircraft.
The contrast becomes particularly noticeable when airlines transition crews between Boeing and Airbus fleets. Simple Flying investigated how Qantas pilots moving from the 737 to the Airbus A321XLR must adapt from traditional control columns to fly-by-wire sidesticks and flight envelope protection systems. The aircraft are designed around fundamentally different control philosophies, which is why transitioning between them necessitates a complete type rating rather than merely learning a different arrangement of cockpit controls. For pilots, this transition involves altering established habits and learning to interpret the aircraft’s responses in a new manner.
This overarching philosophy is challenging to encapsulate through a single component. It represents an approach to aircraft design that permeates much of the 737’s cockpit. One of these design elements is evident even before the aircraft departs the gate.
The Boeing 737 Is Unusually Low To The Ground
Reasons for its main landing gear wheels being exposed
If you walk around a stationary 737 and look beneath the wings, you will notice that, unlike most modern commercial aircraft, the Boeing narrowbody does not feature conventional doors that cover its main landing gear wheels when they retract. Instead, the wheels remain partially visible, with their hubs and rubber seals forming the outer surface of the landing gear installation. This detail makes the aircraft easily recognizable to aviation enthusiasts, although most passengers likely do not give it a second thought.
There is a practical rationale behind this design. The configuration of the 737’s main landing gear emphasizes simplicity and reduced mechanical complexity. The aircraft was initially designed to operate from smaller airports, where ground handling and maintenance considerations were crucial. Its relatively low profile also facilitates easier access for baggage handlers and mechanics to reach cargo holds and engine components without the need for additional lifting equipment. Boltflight’s engineering analysis delves into the reasoning behind the exposed wheels, while Simple…
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