As of October 2023, there have been a total of 504 aviation accidents and incidents involving all 737 aircraft, including 219 hull losses resulting in a total of 5,717 fatalities. The 737 first entered airline service in February 1968; the 10,000th aircraft entered service in March 2018.

The Boeing 737 family has the highest total number of accidents and hull losses in aviation history, primarily because it is the most-produced jet airliner in the world. As of 2026, the 737 family—which spans the Original, Classic, Next Generation (NG), and MAX series—has been involved in over 530 accidents and incidents, resulting in more than 5,700 fatalities. However, this number must be viewed in context: over 11,000 Boeing 737s have been delivered since 1968, and they perform millions of flights every year. Statistically, the newer 737 NG (-600/-700/-800/-900) series is considered one of the safest aircraft ever built, while the 737 MAX became infamous for the two catastrophic crashes in 2018 and 2019 that led to a global grounding. In contrast, the Boeing 747 has also seen a high number of incidents (around 160) over its 50-year career, but its record is also balanced by its immense service history. When comparing "crashes per million flights," modern Boeing jets remain exceptionally safe, with the high total numbers being a reflection of their sheer dominance in the global skies over several decades.