Why The Boeing 737-700 Has Such A High Cruising Altitude

The Boeing 737-700, part of the Next Generation (NG) series, is certified to fly at up to 41,000 feet, a 4,000-foot increase over the Classic series’ 37,000-foot maximum. This certification, shared by all NG models (-600, -700, -800, -900/ER), was validated during a test flight of the 737-700 at 41,000 feet, a milestone for its model certification. The 737-700’s higher altitude capability surpasses most Airbus A320 family models, which have a maximum certified altitude of 39,800 feet. As a smaller aircraft (excluding the rare 737-600), the -700’s lower wing loading contributes to a higher optimal cruising altitude compared to the -800 and -900/ER models.