Updated 28 October 2026: published prices rechecked and added below.
A Boeing 737 type rating is the aircraft-specific training and skill test that lets a licensed pilot act as crew on the 737 NG or MAX, a narrow-body jet flown by several Indian airlines. The cost depends on the training centre and what the course includes; we confirm a current written quote for your route. Base training, extra simulator hours and travel are usually extra, so compare what each quote includes. Most programmes take 6–8 weeks, and no type rating guarantees an airline job. If you are comparing aircraft, see our Boeing 787 type rating guide, the ATR 72-600 type rating page and our type rating and recurrent training support for operators. Training organisations can also read about our airline and training provider partnerships.
What do you need before a Boeing 737 type rating?
Before a training centre will enrol you, you need to already hold:
A CPL with Instrument Rating (IR) and Multi-Engine (ME) endorsement
Completed MCC — Multi-Crew Cooperation training
A valid DGCA Class 1 Medical Certificate
ICAO English Language Proficiency (ELP) Level 4 or higher
If any of these is still outstanding, sort it before shortlisting a type-rating centre — see our guide to DGCA Class 1 and Class 2 medical assessments if the medical is the one you haven't started yet.
How long does a Boeing 737 type rating take?
Most programmes run 6–8 weeks end to end, though the intensive core is closer to 40–45 days including rest days. Ground school — aircraft systems theory, performance calculations, SOPs and FMS setup — usually takes 3–4 weeks of classroom and computer-based training, followed by full-flight simulator sessions, typically 32–40 hours on a Level D simulator, and finishing with a skill test.
How much does a Boeing 737 type rating cost?
The cost depends on the training centre and what the course includes. We confirm a current written quote for your route.
For the Airbus equivalent, see A320 type rating costs.
737 type rating cost in rupees: the short answer
The cost depends on the training centre and what the course includes. We confirm a current written quote for your route. Base training, extra simulator hours, travel and living costs are usually on top.
Boeing 737 NG, 737-800 and 737 MAX type rating: what is the difference?
The 737-800 is one of the 737 NG (Next Generation) models, alongside the 737-700 and 737-900, so a 737 NG type rating course is the one that covers the 737-800. Under EASA, the classic, NG and MAX models sit on a single Boeing 737 type rating, and a pilot rated on the NG usually adds the 737 MAX through differences training rather than a second full course. Training centres set their own syllabus and price for that step, so ask what is included. Before you pay, confirm in writing that the course meets DGCA's type-rating requirements; the A320 type rating guide explains how DGCA's rules work for airliner ratings.
How does a Boeing 737 type rating cost compare with other Boeing types?
Wide-body Boeing ratings are usually priced higher than the 737 because the courses are longer and the simulators cost more to run. Few centres publish a Boeing 787 price; see our Boeing 787 type rating cost guide. We did not find published self-sponsored prices for 777, 747, 767 or 757 type ratings, so ask training centres for written quotes. Most first type ratings for Indian pilots are on narrow-body types such as the 737 or A320. Our type rating overview compares the routes.
How do you choose where to train for a 737 type rating?
Confirm the simulator is a genuine Level D device, not a lower-fidelity training device marketed loosely as one
Check the centre's approval status directly rather than taking a brochure's word for it
Ask how many simulator hours are actually included before extra hours are billed separately
Look at recent graduates' outcomes — how many moved into a first officer seat, and how quickly
Confirm whether ground school is in-person, online, or a mix, and whether that fits your schedule
India's civil aviation regulator maintains its own list of approved training organisations — check current approvals directly on the DGCA's official site before signing anything.
What happens after the type rating?
A type rating alone doesn't put you in the left or right seat — most airlines still require line training and base training once you're hired, and some type ratings are only valid once an airline's own conversion course is added on top. Budget time and money for that stage too, not just the type rating itself.
What mistakes should you avoid before a Boeing 737 type rating?
Booking a slot before every prerequisite — medical, MCC, ELP score — is actually confirmed, not just 'in progress'
Assuming a quoted price includes everything, when extra simulator hours are often billed separately
Choosing a centre purely on price without checking simulator fidelity or recent graduate outcomes
Treating the type rating as the finish line, when line training and airline conversion usually follow it
Letting a Class 1 Medical lapse mid-programme by not tracking its validity date against the training schedule
None of these mistakes are unusual, and none are hard to avoid once you know to check for them — most come down to confirming details in writing before paying, rather than trusting a verbal summary from a sales call.
FAQ: Boeing 737 type rating
Q: How much does a Boeing 737 type rating cost?
A: It depends on the training centre and what the course includes. Base training and extra simulator hours can add to this. Get a written quote.
Q: How long does a Boeing 737 type rating take?
A: Most programmes run 6–8 weeks: about 3–4 weeks of ground school, then full-flight simulator sessions and a skill test.
Q: What do I need before starting a 737 type rating?
A: A CPL with instrument and multi-engine ratings, completed MCC training, a valid DGCA Class 1 medical and ICAO English Language Proficiency at Level 4 or higher.
Q: Does a type rating include base training?
A: Not always. One published offer we checked excludes base training. Ask each centre whether base training is included and what it costs.
Q: Does a 737 type rating guarantee an airline job?
A: No. Airlines run their own selection, and most still require line training after hiring.
Q: How much does a 737 type rating cost in rupees?
A: It depends on the training centre and what the course includes; we confirm a current written quote for your route. Base training and travel are usually extra.
Q: Is a 737-800 type rating the same as a 737 NG type rating?
A: Yes, in practice. The 737-800 is a 737 NG model, so a 737 NG type rating course covers it. Check the exact variants listed on the course certificate with the training centre.
Q: How much does a 737 MAX type rating cost?
A: Pilots already rated on the 737 NG usually add the MAX through differences training, which is priced by each training centre. We did not find a published self-sponsored 737 MAX price, so ask for a written quote and confirm that DGCA will endorse it.
Q: What is the price of a Boeing 787 or 777 type rating?
A: Few centres publish a Boeing 787 price. We did not find published self-sponsored prices for the 777, 747, 767 or 757. Wide-body ratings are generally priced above the 737.
Pilots Assist can factor a type rating into your overall training-cost plan alongside CPL and licence-conversion stages. Talk to a counsellor about sequencing and financing it.