Airbus A380 pilot finds out if he can pass the ultimate test and fly a Boeing 737

An Airbus A380 pilot flying a Boeing 737 may not seem like a big deal, but it’s a bit like asking a bus driver to hop into a sports car.

That was exactly the challenge laid down in Dublin, Ireland, where YouTuber Pilot Alexander took on a very different cockpit from the one he’s used to.

Accustomed to flying the world’s largest passenger jet, he was about to see how life feels on the sharp end of a much smaller aircraft.

But here’s the big question: can he pull it off?

SBX CARS – View live supercar auctions powered by Supercar Blondie

The two planes are very different

The experiment took place at SimTech Aviation, where Alexander climbed into a highly realistic Boeing 737 simulator.

While both planes are airline staples, that’s where the similarities start to fade.

The Airbus A380 is a giant long-haul aircraft, weighing well over 500 tonnes when fully loaded.

It has a maximum certified capacity of 853 passengers, and is designed for smooth, stable cruising across oceans.

The Boeing 737, by contrast, is a short- to medium-haul workhorse.

It is lighter, more nimble, and far more hands-on in how it responds.

One of the biggest differences for pilots is how the aircraft are controlled.

Airbus aircraft, including the A380, use side-sticks and are heavily computer-assisted.

The systems protect the aircraft from being pushed beyond its limits, meaning pilots ‘request’ actions and the computers decide how best to carry them out.

The Boeing 737, however, sticks closer to traditional flying.

Pilots use a control yoke, feel more direct feedback, and are responsible for managing pitch, power, and trim more actively.

It wasn’t easy for the A380 pilot to adapt

Alexander immediately noticed the scale difference.

In the Airbus A380, the cockpit feels spacious, and the aircraft’s sheer mass makes its movements slow and deliberate.

In the 737 simulator, everything felt smaller, tighter, and quicker to react.

Tasks like managing thrust and controlling the aircraft during approach required more physical input, especially without some of the automated protections Airbus pilots rely on.

Despite the challenges, the A380 pilot rose to the occasion.

With guidance from SimTech instructors and a bit of determination, he successfully flew and landed the 737.

As Alexander joked afterward, it wasn’t easy, but everyone walked away smiling (and in one piece).

While flying an A380 and a 737 may both involve jet engines and runways, they demand very different mindsets and skillsets.

In fact, Boeing pilots can’t fly Airbus jets unless they’re retrained, so that tells you just how different the two aircraft are.

However, Alexander’s success proves that core piloting skills still matter, no matter the aircraft.

You can watch the full video here:

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie