A321neo Overtakes 737 MAX in Fuel Efficiency Per Passenger

The Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A321neo are two of the most popular aircraft models in the short- to medium-range market. To compare their fuel efficiency, we need to look at metrics such as seats per gallon of fuel.

A study by Aircraft Commerce found that the Airbus A321neo boasts an impressive range profile, with a 11-hour flight from the Seychelles to Toulouse, France, carrying a payload equivalent to 178 passengers and crew. In contrast, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight from Seattle to Madrid had a shorter distance of 3,873 NM over ~10 hours.

The A321neo is more efficient than the 737 MAX 8, with the latter being between 15% and 24% more efficient in terms of seats per gallon of fuel. However, the A321neo gains more by this measure due to its larger size, accommodating between 180 and 244 passengers depending on the variant and airline configuration.