B737-800SF

The B737-800SF is currently one of the most sought-after medium-haul cargo aircraft on the market. Part of the renowned Boeing 737 family, it benefits from more than fifty years of experience accumulated by the manufacturer in air transport. The passenger version of the B737-800 entered commercial service in the late 1990s and quickly became a global bestseller. From the 2010s onwards, several passenger-to-cargo conversion programmes were launched: Boeing launched the 737-800BCF, while specialists such as IAI Bedek and AEI developed the B737-800SF (Special Freighter) version, specially optimised for cargo.

Thanks to these conversions, many aircraft are leaving passenger cabins behind to join the world of express cargo, offering a modern, reliable and economical solution for short and medium-haul freight transport.

The B737-800SF was designed to meet the needs of cargo airlines, express integrators, freight forwarders and air charter brokers. Based on a recent and widely used cell, it combines excellent reliability with controlled operating costs.

The conversion to a cargo aircraft involves installing a large cargo door on the main deck, reinforcing the floor and fitting out a Class E cargo hold dedicated entirely to freight. The result: an aircraft capable of flying fast, far and with high capacity, while remaining perfectly suited to flexible charter operations (on-demand flights, seasonal programmes, night operations, etc.).

In terms of volume, the B737-800SF offers very generous cargo space for a single-aisle aircraft:

• Total cargo capacity: up to approximately 185 m³ of cargo, distributed between the main deck and lower holds.

• Main deck: approximately 141 m³, configured to accommodate standard pallets and containers.

• Lower holds: over 40 m³ for bulk cargo or small parcels.

In terms of capacity, the B737-800SF can carry up to 20–22 tonnes of payload, depending on the configuration and weight limitations of each aircraft.
This volume/capacity ratio makes the B737-800SF ideal for mixed cargo flows: dense cargo (industrial parts, aeronautical components, automotive freight) as well as bulky items from e-commerce or mass distribution.

For logistics decision-makers, here are some key technical specifications of the B737-800SF (typical values, which may vary slightly depending on conversions):

• Manufacturer/base: Boeing B737-800

• Type: single-aisle, twin-engine cargo aircraft

• Engines: 2 high-efficiency CFM56-7B engines

• Cruising speed: approximately 820–850 km/h

• Range: up to approximately 3,700 km with optimised payload

• Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) : ~79 t

• Main deck layout: up to 11 full-height 88‘x125’ containers or pallets, plus one additional AEP/AEH or LD3 position, depending on the conversion STC.

• Large cargo door: typical opening of approximately 3.5 m x 2.2 m, allowing standard pallets to be loaded without complex handling.

These figures demonstrate how perfectly suited the B737-800SF is to the medium-haul cargo market: powerful enough for routes covering several thousand kilometres, yet compact enough to remain economical.

For a broker or company wishing to charter a cargo aircraft, the B737-800SF ticks all the boxes:

1. Versatile missions
   This aircraft can handle a wide variety of cargo: e-commerce, express, industrial freight, pharmaceuticals, AOG parts, high value-added products, etc. Thanks to its large cargo hold and capacity of over 20 tonnes, it can consolidate multiple shipments onto a single flight, thereby optimising the cost per kilo.

2. Excellent operating economy
   Compared to older cargo aircraft or oversized twin-aisle aircraft, the B737-800SF offers particularly competitive fuel consumption per tonne transported. It is therefore a very attractive solution for regular air charter or cargo shuttles between regional hubs.

3. Airport compatibility
   Thanks to its medium size, this B737 freighter can use a large number of international airports, as well as secondary hubs with limited infrastructure. This reduces pre- and post-haul road transport times and brings freight closer to the end customer.

4. Speed and reliability for charter flights
   The B737-800SF is extremely responsive for charter flights: short turnaround times thanks to its large cargo door, simplified loading via an integrated handling system, and the robustness of the 737 platform ensuring high availability. For customers who need to charter a flight urgently – stock shortages, industrial breakdowns, humanitarian operations, peak activity – this aircraft is a first-rate choice.

In summary, the B737-800SF is a modern, reliable and extremely efficient cargo aircraft for all your air charter needs. Its large cargo volume, capacity of over 20 tonnes, advanced technical specifications and operational flexibility make it one of the best cargo charter options on the medium-haul market.

Whether you are a freight forwarder, manufacturer, e-commerce retailer or specialist broker, chartering a B737-800SF allows you to secure your logistics flows, reduce your lead times and offer your customers premium service quality at the best possible price.