The Evolution of the A320 & 737 Families

Firstly, Happy New Year!

I've often noticed that the holidays are the best time to spot celebrities at famous coffee shops (my go-to is a coffee shop that's connected to an upscale gym). Well, some planes are celebrities too! For decades, two aircraft have dominated the short- and medium-haul skies: the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320. Chances are, if you’ve ever flown, you’ve been on one of these.

The Boeing 737 entered service in the late 1960s and quickly became the go-to workhorse for airlines. Compact, reliable, and endlessly adaptable, it’s been stretched, upgraded, and modernized more times than most of us have updated our smartphones.

Airbus came later, introducing the A320 in the late 1980s. What set it apart? The A320 was the first commercial jet with a full fly-by-wire system — pilots weren’t mechanically linked to the controls anymore, but instead used computers to translate their inputs. It was futuristic then, and it’s the norm now.

Over the years, both families have become like rival siblings. Boeing’s 737 MAX versus Airbus’s A320neo is the latest chapter: both boast fuel-efficient engines, quieter cabins, and longer ranges. Airlines pick sides, but passengers often can’t tell the difference once they’re strapped in with pretzels and a seatbelt.

What makes them fascinating is how they’ve shaped our travel habits. They’ve opened up thinner routes, made low-cost airlines possible, and carried billions of people across the globe. They’re not just planes — they’re the buses and trains of the sky.

Next time you board, peek out the window: if you see winglets curved upward, chances are you’re on an A320 or 737. Quietly thank them — they’re the reason flying has become so everyday, yet still a little bit magical.

Image source: Jake Hough (Unsplash)