Airliner Comparison ToolCompare 60+ passenger aircraft models head to head!

Boeing 737 MAX 8 vs. Airbus A330-300

vs.
Compare

737 MAX 8

vs.

A330-300

Price (USD)
$110 Million$256 Million
First Flight
20161992
Body Type
Narrow-bodyWide-body
Length
39 m129 ft
63 m208 ft
Wingspan
35 m117 ft
60 m197 ft
Wing Area
127 m²1,367 ft²
361 m²3,892 ft²
Fuselage Width
3 m12 ft
5 m18 ft
Height
12 m40 ft
16 m55 ft
Max Takeoff Weight
82,600 kg182,102 lbs
242,000 kg533,519 lbs
Number of Engines
22
Engine Options
CFMI LEAP-1BGeneral Electric CF6 / Pratt & Whitney PW4000 / Rolls-Royce Trent 700
Max Thrust Per Engine
130 kN29,300 lbf
316 kN71,100 lbf
Max Total Thrust
260 kN58,600 lbf
632 kN142,200 lbf
Fuel Capacity
25,800 l6,816 gal
139,090 l36,744 gal
Range
6,570 km3,548 nm
11,750 km6,344 nm
Cruise Speed
839 km/h521 mph
870 km/h541 mph
Typical Seating
178 pax290 pax
Max Seating
210 pax440 pax

What Are the Differences Between the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A330-300

Boeing 737 MAX 8 vs Airbus A330-300 Size Comparison

  • At 63.70 meters, the Airbus A330-300 is 24.20 meters longer than the Boeing 737 MAX 8.
  • With a wingspan of 60.30 meters, the Airbus A330-300 is 24.40 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A330-300 have heights of 12.30 meters and 16.80 meters respectively - making the Airbus A330-300 4.50 meters taller.

Boeing 737 MAX 8 vs Airbus A330-300 Range

  • Airbus A330-300’s range of 11,750 kilometers is greater than Boeing 737 MAX 8’s range of 6,570 kilometers. Therefore, the Airbus A330-300 can fly nonstop approximately 5,180 kilometers further.
  • The Airbus A330-300 can hold 36,744 gallons of fuel, which is 29,928 gallons more than the Boeing 737 MAX 8’s tank capacity of 6,816 gallons.

Boeing 737 MAX 8 vs Airbus A330-300 Seating

  • In a typical seating configuration, the Airbus A330-300 can accommodate 290 passengers, which is about 112 passengers more than Boeing 737 MAX 8’s seating capacity.
  • The Airbus A330-300’s max seating capacity is 440 passengers, compared to 210 passengers of the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

About the Boeing 737 MAX 8

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is a narrow-body, twin-jet aircraft, and the upgraded version of the Boeing 737-800 from the NG family. As of 2023, over 1100 737 MAX jets are in service, with the majority of them being MAX 8s. The very first MAX 8 was delivered to Malindo Air in May of 2017. The state-of-the-art jet offers airlines a modern and versatile option for short to medium-haul routes.

A 20-month grounding interrupted deliveries after two fatal crashes traced to the programming of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). Now restored with multiple software fixes and training revisions, the 737 MAX series retains strong market demand for economical medium haul flight connectivity globally.

With a length of 129.7 feet (39.5 meters) and a wingspan of 117.8 feet (35.9 meters), the 737 MAX 8 is adept at accommodating the operational needs of both large international airports and smaller regional terminals. It is designed to seat up to 178 passengers, striking a balance between capacity and passenger comfort. The aircraft is powered by two CFM International LEAP-1B engines, each capable of producing 29,300 lbf of thrust (130.0 kN), totaling 58,600 lbf (260.0 kN). This power, combined with a fuel capacity of 6,816 US gallons (25,800 liters), enables the 737 MAX 8 to cover a range of 3,548 nautical miles (6,570 kilometers). The upgraded LEAP-1B turbofans contribute 20% fuel savings thanks to lighter composite designs. Re-engineered tail sections and wing tips further boost efficiency.

The 737 MAX 8 is rivaled by the Airbus A320neo. These two are arguably the most capable and efficient airliners for the modern medium haul market. The airlines with the most MAX 8s include Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines. Other carriers include Flydubai, Aeromexico, Air Canada, and TUI Group. With future rate increases slated as demand persists, the MAX 8 remains well-positioned as sub 180-seat workhorse growing the 737 legacy.

About the Airbus A330-300

The Airbus A330-300, launched in the early 1990s, was the first variant of the A330 series. This wide-body, twin-engine aircraft was developed to address the requirements of medium to long-haul flights, offering a blend of capacity and range that has been appealing to airlines globally.

The A330-300 extends to a length of 208.9 feet (63.7 meters), with a wingspan of 197.8 feet (60.3 meters). It typically seats around 277 passengers in a standard three-class layout, with the flexibility to accommodate more in higher-density configurations. The spacious and adaptable cabin has been a key selling point, providing airlines with the ability to tailor the passenger experience to different market segments. Equipped with engines from Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, or General Electric, the A330-300 is known for its reliable and efficient performance. It has a maximum takeoff weight of about 533,500 lbs and can travel up to 6,350 nautical miles, enabling airlines to serve a wide range of international destinations. From the outside, the A330 is most distinguishable by its boxy winglets, wing-mounted fuel tanks, and tilted landing gear. On the inside, it seats eight-abreast, with a 2–4–2 economy class. Overall, it shares many design features from the A340 and A300.

Prominent operators of the Airbus A330-300 include Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Saudia, and Delta Air Lines. These airlines have leveraged the aircraft's capacity and range for various operational needs, utilizing it for both high-density domestic flights and longer international services. The development of the A330-300 was driven by airline demand for a high-capacity, efficient, and versatile aircraft. Its operational role has been shaped by its ability to efficiently serve long-haul routes with significant passenger loads, meeting the evolving needs of the global aviation market.

Today, the Airbus A330-300 remains a vital component in the fleets of various airlines, a testament to its enduring utility and appeal. Its combination of passenger capacity, operational range, and efficiency continues to make it a valuable asset for airlines navigating the complexities of modern air travel. It most closely completes with the 767-400ER and 787-9 from Boeing.

Share:
Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

Related Airliner Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the WebFlite Aircraft Comparison Tool.

What is this comparison tool?

WebFlite’s Aircraft Comparison Tool allows users to contrast the specifications of over 100 airliner, freighter, and fighter jet models. The head-to-head comparisons include data related to size, weight, capacity, performance, and much more! Whether you want to compare similar aircraft, old vs new, big vs small - you can find it here at WebFlite!

How do you use this tool?

The Aircraft Comparison Tool is extremely easy to use! First, select your type of aircraft - Airliners, Freighters, or Fighter Jets. When the page reloads, select an aircraft from each of the two drop-down menus below the aircraft illustrations, and then click the blue “Compare” button. The page will automatically update and display those two aircraft and their specs! You can start a new comparison by changing either one or both aircraft from the drop-downs, and clicking “Compare” again. You can also change the aircraft type at the top of the page.

Where does the aircraft data come from?

The data for these aircraft has been scraped from a few sources, including manufacturer websites, government databases, and Wikipedia. While the data is fairly accurate, we cannot guarantee it all to be 100% exact. This is mainly due to discrepancies between sub-models and configurations. Most aircraft in this comparison tool will include what variant its data is based off of.

What are the most popular aircraft comparisons?
Can I share this tool or a comparison?

Yes! Please feel free to share this tool or any specific aircraft comparison with friends, family, or on social media! You may also share on your own website, but please include a link to the tool! We appreciate any support with helping us grow!

webflite-logoWebFlite
2023 WebFlite. All rights reserved.