By all accounts, the Boeing 737 has long been a generic but reliable aircraft that moves passengers from point A to point B across short distances. It has few exceptional qualities apart from its economics, and for passengers, the 737 is just a typical plane. The 737 MAX, however, is slightly different, as it features a significantly longer range than prior 737 models, meaning that it can operate longer flights than the 737NG or 737 Classic.

Because of this, airlines are investing in more elaborate premium cabins for their 737 MAX aircraft. The Boeing 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the Boeing 737 family, and its primary updates include new CFM LEAP-1B high-bypass turbofan engines, along with new split-tip winglets, upgraded flight deck displays, and a revised tailcone and a slightly taller nose landing gear.

Because the 737 MAX is significantly more efficient than its predecessor, it can operate medium to long-distance flights, sometimes in excess of seven hours. On these services, some airlines are now offering true business class seats, so let’s take a look at five of the most comfortable 737 MAX cabins.

5

Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX Business Class

Featuring The Collins Aerospace MiQ

Per Planespotters.net, Turkish Airlines has 25 Boeing 737 MAX jets: 20 737 MAX 8s and only five 737 MAX 9 aircraft. There are only 55 737NG aircraft in the Turkish Airlines fleet, meaning that the 737 fleet as a whole is fairly small at Turkish Airlines. The airline is instead more reliant on the Airbus A320 family for short-haul operations, as it operates over 150 examples of the A320 family (primarily the A321-200 and A321neo variants). In addition, it does not hold any additional orders for the 737.

On all 25 737 MAX aircraft, Turkish Airlines has Collins Aerospace MiQ business class seats. This is a standard recliner seat that is commonly used by other airlines for short-haul business class (including Aeromexico and American Airlines) as well as international premium economy (KLM and United Airlines). What sets Turkish Airlines apart, however, is that it offers passengers an exceptional 45 inches (114.3 cm) of legroom.

In addition, these seats also feature privacy wings, although they are only present between the seats. Data from aeroLOPA shows that Turkish Airlines configures its 737 MAX business class seats four-abreast with 16 total seats. Each seat comes with five inches (12.7 cm) of recline and a four-way adjustable headrest. In addition, each seat features a 13-inch (33.02-cm) touchscreen display. As a whole, these seats are fairly standard, with the main benefit being the legroom and privacy wings.

4

Oman Air’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 Business Class

Featuring The Collins Aerospace Air Rest

Oman Air currently operates 17 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with one more on order. Of these, four are configured in an all-economy layout and branded as ‘Oman Air Connect,’ while the remaining 13 are in a two-class layout. The 737 MAX 8 is the largest fleet at Oman Air, as the carrier’s only other aircraft are four Boeing 737-800s, two 737-900ERs, and nine Boeing 787-9s. As such, if you’re flying with Oman Air, the 737 MAX 8 is likely to be your aircraft type.

Whereas Oman Air’s 737NG fleet features recliner seats for business class, the carrier’s 737 MAX 8 aircraft are equipped with the Collins Air Rest. This is a fixed-shell seat, meaning that when the seat reclines, it slides forward rather than the seatback tilting behind. Some prefer a traditional recliner seat, while others prefer a fixed-shell design. In addition, these seats offer 47 inches (119.4 cm) of legroom, one of the highest on any narrowbody aircraft, along with a 17-inch (43.18-cm) seatback display.

Data from aeroLOPA shows that Oman Air has 12 business class seats on its 737 MAX 8s, along with 150 economy seats. The business cabin features four seats per row, with seats offering roughly 20 inches (50.8 cm) of width and nine inches (22.86 cm) of recline. As a whole, these seats are incredibly spacious, but some passengers may want to avoid them depending on personal feelings towards the fixed shell concept.

3

Copa Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX 9 Business Dream Class

Featuring The Collins Aerospace Diamond

Copa Airlines currently operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet of over 100 aircraft, including the 737-700, 737-800, the 737 MAX 8, and the 737 MAX 9. While the 737NG makes up the majority of its fleet, Copa is growing its 737 MAX fleet. Currently, the carrier flies six 737 MAX 8 aircraft and 32 737 MAX 9 aircraft, while holding 16 orders for additional 737 MAX variants (these can be firmed for either model). In addition, Copa Airlines holds orders for 15 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft.

The vast majority of Copa’s fleet features standard recliner seats for business class. However, the carrier’s 737 MAX 9 fleet features its ‘Business Dream’ cabin, which comes with the Collins Aerospace Diamond seat. This is a fully flat business class seat configured four-abreast, and similar seats are also used by Delta Air Lines and United Airlines on select Boeing 757 aircraft. This makes Copa one of only a handful of airlines to offer lie-flat seating on the Boeing 737.

Data from aeroLOPA shows that Copa Airlines has either 12 or 16 Business Dream seats on its 737 MAX 9s. These seats recline fully flat to create an 84-inch (213.4 cm) bed, and they also feature a 16-inch (40.64 cm) HD touchscreen display. The seats themselves are roughly 20 inches (50.8 cm) wide when upright, while the bed surface is 22.4 inches (56.9 cm) wide. While these seats are hardly cutting-edge today, they are exceptional for a narrowbody.

2

FlyDubai’s Boeing 737 MAX Business Class

Featuring The Thompson Vantage

Flydubai is an Emirati government-owned airline operating narrowbody flights out of Dubai International Airport. While it is not a part of the Emirates Group, it does effectively complement Emirates’ network and operations by using single-aisle aircraft on flights to smaller destinations, whereas Emirates exclusively operates widebodies. The carrier currently operates just under 100 aircraft, all of which are Boeing 737s, although it does hold orders for the Airbus A321neo and Boeing 787-9.

Flydubai currently operates 65 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and just three Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. All three 737 MAX 9s, along with select 737 MAX 8 aircraft, feature the Thompson Vantage seat for business class. This is a unique seat in that its configuration alternates between four-abreast and two-abreast. Data from aeroLOPA shows that the 737 MAX 8s with the Thompson Vantage feature 10 seats, whereas the 737 MAX 9s are configured with 16 seats in business class.

The alternating layout means that passengers seated in even-numbered rows receive their own personal ‘throne’ seat, with direct aisle access and no seat neighbor. The other seats are ideal for couples traveling together, and the Thompson Vantage also offers lie-flat seating to be used as a bed for all passengers. Once again, this is a rare feature on a Boeing 737, but the Thompson Vantage has been tremendously popular in the past on the Airbus A321 and Boeing 757.

1

Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX 8 Business Class

Featuring The Thompson Vantage

Singapore Airlines is routinely ranked as one of, if not the best, airlines in the world. While the other carriers on this list use the 737 MAX for longer flights and therefore offer more spacious seats, Singapore Airlines primarily uses its 20-strong fleet of 737 MAX 8 aircraft on regional routes within Southeast Asia. Despite the short distances that these aircraft fly, Singapore Airlines features the Thompson Vantage on all of its 737 MAX aircraft.

The Thompson Vantage seat that Singapore Airlines installs on its 737 MAX 8s is essentially identical to the seats that Flydubai uses on its 737 MAX fleet. Any material difference in the onboard experience would, therefore, come from onboard service, where Singapore Airlines excels. The carrier is routinely ranked as having the world’s best cabin crew, with its particular strong points being a high attention to detail as well as consistency across numerous flights.

The seats themselves, meanwhile, offer full lie-flat seating. Data from aeroLOPA shows that Singapore Airlines has 10 business class seats on the 737 MAX, with two of these being the ‘throne seats’ in row 12. These are ideal for solo travelers, whereas the remaining eight are better for couples. In addition, Singapore Airlines offers a 16-inch (40.64 cm) screen, along with a universal charger and two USB-A ports.