Both compare aircrafts Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 are intuitive and are among the favorites of airlines to fly.
Although Airbus A320 isn’t as spacious as A380, whose cabin lets customers stretch out in the wider seats, Airbus A320 is still the marmite of skies.
The same is the case between Boeing 737 and recent 787s. But for now, we are comparing aircrafts the two huge aviation titans- A320 vs 737, the aircraft we prefer, and that has ushered in a new golden age of air travel.
The Airbus A320 was launched in March 1984. and introduced for the first time by Air France in April 1988.
Boeing 737 narrow-body airliner entered into the service in February 1968 to supplement Boeing 727 on short and thin routes.
Airbus A320 uses an advanced sidestick and auto thrust system with a quiet cruise.
Boeing, however, has a conventional yoke and autothrottle system, but its tactile feel and cross-wind capabilities are lit.
External differences
Compare aircrafts from the outside look of both aircraft can be confusing to beginners at first.
Nose
Starting with the nose, A320 has a rounded nose as opposed to the sharp, pointed, and long nose of Boeing 737.
The Airbus has a slightly more rounded nose, and if you like to humanize your aircraft, we think it’s a bit more friendly-looking.
The Boeing’s sharp, pointed nose and angry expression make it appear a little more aggressive, but that’s just our personal opinion.
Engine
Regarding engines, Airbus has a circular engine and looks large when viewed from the front.
But Boeing 737 engines have a flat spot at the bottom to give more ground clearances that help to protect against a ‘pod strike.’
The engines of the Boeing 737 are closer to the ground than that of the Airbus A320.
The engines are a bit of a giveaway too, as the later models of Boeing 737 have had to flatten the engines at the bottom to give a bit more ground clearance.
The Airbus sits higher, so has perfectly circular engines.
Wingtips
The wingtips reduce drag and make aircraft more fuel-efficient.
The winglet technology of Boeing is angular, sometimes ‘split scimitar’ having two winglets, each pointing up and down.
At the tips of the wings, Boeing and Airbus employ different winglet types to aid efficient flying.
Boeing uses angular winglet technology, sometimes with two winglets, one pointing up and one down, known as ‘split scimitar’.
The wingtips of Airbus have the appearance of a shark fin. Some carriers also use wingtip fences or endplates.
Airbus uses ‘sharklets’, so-called because they have the appearance of a sharks fin.
However, some airlines use other types of technology, such as wingtip fences or endplates.
It’s not always simple to see the difference in the plane by the wing furniture alone.
Both winglets and sharklets on both aircraft appear a bit similar and not simple to recognize or differentiate apart.
Auto brakes
Main compare aircrafts the auto brakes of the B737 have 1, 2, 3, and MAX detent whereas those on the A320 have a LO, MED, and MAX position.
I find *LO* as not being very satisfying and MED is more than what I need in most cases.
The wonderful thing is that the *Brake Fans* do a pretty good job when the brake pads get too hot on short sectors.
On the older B737s, there were no brake temperature gauges installed and brake overheating was never a big issue.
Cockpit
The cockpit is incredibly spacious for a plane of its category. It has a side stick and a table for flying manuals, etc.
For once, have a decent table in front of me when I want to take my meals!.
Compared to those B737-500s and below, the flight deck is definitely more comfortable and modern.
The Boeing 737 cockpit, though more crammed, has better seats than hold well to wear and tear.
Further, the sheepskin cover feels pleasant to sit on too. Ah, when it comes to stowing the pilot*s navigation bag, you have to jam the bag down between the seat and the sidewall
Generally, the B737 cockpit has not changed much as it tries to maintain fleet commonality with the older B737s.
Most of the switches on the overhead panel are toggle switches whereas the A320 has a cleaner and modern pushbutton/annunciator light combo.
Interior Features
cabin width
Airbus A320 family offers a wide cabin, with the passenger seat fraction wider than Boeing 737’s (by about 7 inches).
A wider cabin aisle means more room for passengers and more passenger comfort while traveling.
fuselage curve
The fuselage curve of B737 is inward and narrower than the curve of Airbus.
The curvature also tilts the cabin wall inward, so passengers don’t have much room for maneuver onboard B737, and reduce shoulder room in the window seat up against the fuselage.
But A320 has a little aggressive curvature adding more space to rest your head.
Window
The last point in compare aircrafts is the 737’s windows are slightly larger than A320’s, but they are placed lower, making passengers bend over or slouch just to see out of the window.
But the window placement on European-made Jet is better since the windows are much closer to the eye level of passengers.