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Do you remember the last time you saw or flew on a Boeing 737-300? In this article we’ll look at who still operates the type, and where to see (or fly) on one.
Let’s begin…
The Boeing 737-300
The Boeing 737-300 model became the first big step in taking the popular airliner into the big leagues.
Following the arrival of the 737-100 and -200 in the 1960s, it was in the early 1980s that updates to the design, including the engines, cockpit, cabin and tailplane were introduced.
It allowed airlines who had already tried the older models to take their fleet forward, and it also encouraged many more airlines to adopt to the 737.
Later, additional models like the 737-400 and -500 came along, each offering a different passenger capacity.
Then in later years, the 737 Next Generation and 737 MAX models arrived.
Today there are still plenty of 737-300s flying, but which airlines have the largest fleets? We take a look:
Which Airlines Fly the 737-300 Today?
SF Airlines
With 14 Boeing 737-300s in its fleet, SF Airlines is by far the largest operator of the type today.
This airline is one of the largest cargo carriers in China, with hubs across the country. Its fleet includes nearly 100 Boeing types, from the 737-300 up to the 747-400.
Nolinor
Photo (c) Heads Up Aviation
Well known as one of the last operators of the Boeing 737-200 in passenger (or mixed) configuration, Nolinor – based at Montreal – has 7 Boeing 737-300s in its fleet. These are usually in a passenger configuration, and used on charters to remoter parts of Canada.
Peoples Liberation Army Air Force
Also known as the Chinese Air Force, this military organisation has a huge fleet of over 4,500 aircraft used in defence, intelligence, transport and logistics roles.
Among these are 6 Boeing 737-300s used in passenger and VIP transport, as well as intelligence roles.
Trigana Air Service
Also with 6 Boeing 737-300s in its fleet, Trigana Air Service is an Indonesian airline based at Jakarta Soekarno Hatta International Airport.
Trigana Air’s 737-300 fleet is a mix of both passenger and freighter variants.
China Postal Airlines
shimin (GFDL 1.2
Another Chinese carrier, China Postal Airlines is the main dedicated airmail carrier in the country. It has 5 Boeing 737-300s in its fleet, as well as other 737 variants, 757s and 777s.
Serve Air Cargo
Based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this cargo airline flies 5 Boeing 737-300 freighters out of its base in Kinshasa.
Star Air
Photo (c) Bob Adams
Not to be confused with the Maersk Air subsidiary. Star Air is a South African cargo airline with 5 Boeing 737-300 freighters in its fleet.
It is based at Johannesburg’s O R Tambo International Airport. It also operates these aircraft on behalf of BidAir Cargo.
Canadian North
Johnnyw3, CC BY-SA 4.0
Like Nolinor, Canadian North is a specialist and charter airline flying passengers and freight to remoter parts of northern Canada.
Its fleet of 4 Boeing 737-300s can be used for all-passenger operations, or in a combination passenger and cargo configurations.
Kalitta Charters II
This specialist airline based in Detroit’s Willow Run Airport has an interesting mix of aircraft types in its fleet.
It has 4 Boeing 737-300 freighters which are all used for cargo services.
Nauru Airlines
Windmemories, CC BY-SA 4.0
An interesting airline based in the tiny Republic of Nauru in the Central Pacific.
Nauru Airlines uses 4 Boeing 737-300s in passenger configuration to fly services to neighbouring island countries, as well as to Australia.
There are many other airlines with one or two examples of the Boeing 737-300 in their fleets.
Notable passenger carriers include Star Peru, Air Inuit, Boliviana de Aviacion, Estelar Latinoamerica, RUTACA Airlines, and SCAT Airlines.
When was the last time you saw or flew on a Boeing 737-300? Leave a comment below!
Title image: (c) Erik Ritterbach
