Boeing or Airbus? Reliability rating of mass civil aircraft - Tourism.

Every person who often travels on business trips or travels around the world, as a rule, uses airplanes to get around. However, not everyone knows which plane is better to buy a ticket for. Basically, people choose air tickets by price and class of aircraft. Having learned which is better: Boeing or Airbus, you can make the right choice when buying your next air ticket. These two types of vehicles have several significant differences. Even if it doesn’t matter to you in principle which plane to fly to another country, this information will broaden your horizons and you will have something to do while waiting at the airport. You can, for example, look through the window at the planes, trying to identify each one.

First of all, it is worth noting that the word "Airbus" does not exist in Russian. Judging by the English transcription, it is correct to call these models "Airbus" from the English "Airbus". The name "Airbus" is common in colloquial speech. The very word “Airbus” is the name of a European company that operates in the aerospace industry. This company was formed by the merger of several companies located in different countries. Under this brand, aircraft are produced for the following purposes:

• civil;
• military;
• industrial.

The Boeing name belongs to an American company. Aircraft of this brand are produced in the USA. It is there that the main production part of the corporation is located.

The Boeing Company began operating in 1916. At that time, engineers, managers, as well as carpenters and several seamstresses worked here. Seamstresses were needed in order to make aircraft wings, since in those years they were made of fabric. In addition, seamstresses and carpenters were of great help to the company, whose activities during the war turned out to be unclaimed. During the First World War, Boeing was engaged in the manufacture of clothing, furniture and boats. This made it possible to keep the company "afloat" and later return to the aircraft industry. The company not only created aircraft, but also engaged in the development of the entire industry: they built airports, organized landing and take-off places. Boeing made the world's first flight.

The Airbus company launched the first aircraft only in 1974. After that, in the same year, the company received about 10 thousand orders and was able to deliver 6300 aircraft to customers. Thanks to active and large-scale production activities, by 2009 revenue amounted to 28 billion euros. In such a short period of time, the company managed to become a worthy and the main competitor of Boeing. In particular, the A320 has become the most serious competitor to the Boeing 737.

Cartoon about rivalry between two giant companies

Which is more reliable: Boeing or Airbus?

Even knowing the main differences between these two types of aircraft, it is difficult to say which one is more reliable and safe. Each brand has aircraft of different classes. Therefore, one cannot compare, for example, a Boeing 737 with an Airbus A380. If we take two aircraft of the same class for comparison, it is also unlikely to be able to say for sure which one is more reliable. It is not for nothing that these two companies are the main competing brands in the civil aircraft industry.

It is interesting! As annual statistics show, Boeing usually crashes more often than Airbus.

According to such statistics, it can be argued that Airbuses are more reliable and safer. But it is impossible to say for sure which plane is better, Boeing or Airbus. It is acceptable to compare two specific models of the same class. In this case, according to some criteria, Boeing will win (for example, according to a more convenient and safe location of the door), and according to others, Airbus will win (for example, according to the specifics of the automatic system, which does not allow you to completely transfer control to manual mode).

Detailed difference table

Visual differences

To easily determine which plane is in front of you, you should find out how the Boeing differs from the Airbus. Visual differences will help you identify any Boeing or Airbus model. To determine the brand of the aircraft, you should pay attention to:

1. Clearance.
2. The shape of the nose and tail.
3. Engine shape.
4. The shape of the side windows and the presence of additional sections.
5. Door type.
6. Winglets
7. Gates.

First of all, it is necessary to mention the clearance. Airbus above. Also, these aircraft have a different nose shape: Airbus has a round one, Boeing has a sharp one. Another visual difference lies in the shape of the "tail". Boeing has a so-called forkil. This is a kind of transition in the form of a break in the front. Airbus has no such kink. This type of aircraft is characterized by a tail that is absolutely even on both sides.

These aircraft can also be distinguished by the shape of the engines. If the engine is round, then you have an Airbus in front of you, and if the shape is flattened, then this is a Boeing. Another difference lies in the form of the auxiliary power unit (APU). For Boeing it is angled and relatively short, for Airbus it is more elongated. In order to expand the viewing angle, additional windows are located above the windshield of the Boeing. They are absent in modern models, since the improvement of avionics has eliminated the need for such an expansion of the viewing angle. The side windows of the Boeing are angular from below. On top of some models you can see additional windows. Airbus side windows are always straight.

If you watch a Boeing take off, you can see tires under the wings after takeoff. And the doors of this aircraft open with a 180-degree turn. At Airbus, after takeoff, the niches of the main racks are closed. And the doors open by pushing to the side. It is believed that the Boeing door device is more secure, since such a door is almost impossible to open during the flight. Boeing's winglets are tall and elongated, Airbus's are short. Airbus planes have a double flash, Boeing has a single flash without pausing.

These are not all the differences between the aircraft of the two brands under consideration. But thanks to these visual differences, each company's aircraft is easy to identify without even knowing technical features each model. If you are interested in understanding this topic in more detail, watch the program, which tells in detail about Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

In contact with

Inexperienced travelers enthusiastically climb aboard large liners. But those who are accustomed to flights are critical of the proposed conditions. If you have to spend 8-9 hours in the air, then you will probably ask which aircraft is better: Boeing 737 or Airbus 320, or you will be interested in other models. To understand, evaluate the set of parameters.

Excursion to the past: confrontation between Boeing and Airbus

The main confrontation in the world of aircraft manufacturing is between Boeing and Airbus, with the companies competing for decades. Initially, Airbus merged European manufacturers, and Boeing absorbed a former competitor in the production of airliners in the United States. As a result, small manufacturers were unable to fight these corporations, and 2 giants remained in the field of aircraft design.

What you need to know about Boeing

The history of the company has more than 100 years: in 1916 it was founded by William Boeing. At that time, the manufacturer was located in Seattle and produced seaplanes. After 20 years, a revolutionary airliner for that era, the Boeing 247, entered the market.

During World War II, the company focused on developments in the field military aviation. The famous B-17 and B-29 belong to this period. The 7x7 series was launched in 1958; since then, she has not given up positions.

Airbus: history of the enterprise

The consortium was founded so that European manufacturers could compete with the US aircraft manufacturer. The reason was an initiative from the government, which allowed developers from France, Germany and the UK to unite.

The first model released was the A300. The liner was not in demand, but the shortcomings were corrected thanks to the gradual introduction of new technologies. Now the leadership has passed to the A380, released in 2005. For the first time it was put into operation by Singapore Airlines, sending it on the Singapore-Sydney route.

Main aircraft models

Between 2007 and 2016 Airbus received 9,985 orders and delivered 5,644 aircraft. The competitor did not concede: out of 8,978 orders, 5,718 were satisfied. Both manufacturers developed models that entered the history of the aircraft industry. Details are covered by Forbes:

• Airbus A380 able to accommodate 550-800 passengers. Some ships have sleep cabins and lounge areas where travelers enjoy drinks. If you pay for a first class ticket, you will even get the opportunity to warm up on the simulators. But such a luxury is becoming rare: when a carrier chooses between the number of seats and the availability of a fitness room, he sacrifices the latter.
• Boeing strengthened positions with the help of the model dreamliner designed for long distance flights. The developer relies on practicality, not luxury. Marty Benrott, Vice President of Sales, explains this position: “Since the 1990s. The number of cities with an airport is constantly increasing. The number of flights has also doubled, and the trend will obviously continue. To meet the demand of passengers, we offer a liner that will take them to their destination without transfers.”

It will not be possible to say unequivocally which aircraft is better: Boeing or Airbus. The marketing battle continues, and recently it seemed that European designers were gaining the upper hand. But Boeing has shown that it can set trends, not follow them. Passengers only benefit, because both manufacturers are trying to attract them with increased comfort!

You can learn more about the confrontation between companies and compare which aircraft is better with the help of the video:

Specifications in plain language: Airbus and Boeing

To understand the differences between the liners, you do not need to delve into the features of the aircraft industry. The main difference lies in the approach to technology, as the European manufacturer imposes restrictions on management. For example, the pilot cannot sharply pull the sidestick towards himself (he replaced the usual steering wheel) or deflect it more than 60˚. It is believed that the measure prevents intense impacts when operating the aircraft. According to the designers, the limitations exclude pilot errors. But the approach has drawbacks: practice has shown that Airbus aircraft crash because at a critical moment the crew does not have the opportunity to take action.

Boeing cockpit with traditional helm

The American company refuses such measures, so the crew, if necessary, conducts maneuvers that create a load on the devices. But the B product, as the pilots call it, survives the test.

Are you choosing to fly a Boeing 737 or an Airbus 320 and wondering which is more reliable? The question is answered by Ron Wagner, a pilot with 30 years of experience:

I prefer the B737 because it puts the crew in control. I feel that we are allies with the plane! A320 seems to criticize my decisions and suspects that I will inevitably make a mistake. True, his cabin is ergonomic, but the nuances of control nullify the plus.

I know that human factor counts main reason tragedies, especially in cases where the deceased pilot cannot defend himself and explain the reasons for the decisions taken. Investigations are based on facts, not interpretations. There is a debate in aviation whether the pilot should be a pilot in the full sense of the word or perform the functions of a systems operator. Therefore, we can say that Airbus excludes the human factor, but against external force majeure. But if you believe that tragedies are caused by pilot error, look at the statistics: just as many accidents are due to the presence of technology that "eliminated crew errors."

Appearance: photos of differences between Boeing and Airbus

Not only pilots, but also experienced travelers are able to distinguish everything Airbus aircraft from Boeing airliners. It is enough to pay attention to the bow of the vessel: in A-liners it is rounded, in B-liners it is sharp; there are differences in the shape of the cabin windows.

Boeing cabin

Airbus: cockpit view

The division into narrow-body and wide body aircraft both companies have. The first category includes liners A318-321, B737 and B757. Wide body vessels are represented by the following models:

• A300, 310, 330, 340, 350 and 380;
• B747, 767, 777, 787 and 747-8.

The easiest way to distinguish models is by the number of engines: A340, A380 and B747 are equipped with 4 engines. See 2 rows of windows and 4 engines? In front of you is the A380.

Are the portholes arranged in 1.5 rows? B747 filed on the strip.

Single-deck aircraft with 4 engines and a long fuselage - A340.

Number of passenger seats in Boeing and Airbus

As for passenger capacity, the indicator depends on the model. You will receive comfortable conditions in any case, as carriers rely on the convenience of customers. Without sacrificing this characteristic, the designers have achieved the following results:

• The A380-800 has become the world's most spacious aircraft, as it carries 525 people per flight. The cost of such a liner is $318 million.
• The next place was taken by the B777-300, when divided into 2 classes, accommodating 451 passengers.
• B747-400 is the most popular liner of the family. Its salon is divided into 3 classes of service, where 416 people are located.

The seating arrangement used by the airline also affects the number of passengers. The space for hand luggage stands out according to the standard principle: 1 suitcase on the shelf and 2-4 near the chair.

Thinking about which is better in terms of passenger capacity: Boeing 777 or Airbus 330? In this case, the B777, designed for long flights, wins.

Passenger Comfort: Airbus vs Boeing

When choosing a flight, you can see that an Airbus 321 or a Boeing 737 will go on the route, and think about which is better. Judging by the feedback from passengers, there are no cardinal differences in the cabins. The difference is in the details:

• Models of the A family have more engine noise, but not enough to cause discomfort.
• Boeing's seats are a little narrower, but the difference of a few millimeters is not felt by the passengers. The advantages of the option include expanded space on the shelves for hand luggage and increased dimensions of the toilets.

When flying for passengers, it is not the model of the liner that matters, but the location of seats in the cabin and the level of service. The figures depend on the carrier, so check the cabin map before buying tickets.

Passenger review on the Quora forum, 01/04/2018

The position that I have held for 20 years is associated with constant flights. I compared different aircraft:

• On the A320 I like the layout of the windows. They are higher than the B737, so I enjoy the view in peace. But it is more convenient for children or short people to look out the windows on board the Boeing.
• Practice has shown that the interior of the A320 is not as cold as the B737.
• Because I know that Airbus limits the role of the pilot and relies on automated control, I feel more relaxed. Although it is a matter of subjective perception, the excitement during a long-haul flight can be exhausting.

As a passenger, I prefer the A320 even though it's slower. But the duration of pre-flight procedures is reduced by 5-6 minutes, so there is no cardinal difference.

The popularity of Airbus or Boeing aircraft

Talking about the popularity of models among travelers is not entirely correct, because customers have to fly on liners purchased by the carrier. Airlines are guided by considerations of economic benefits: they are interested in passenger capacity, fuel consumption, low cost of service.

The conclusions can be drawn from the reviews on the forums: travelers agree that Airbus models are suitable for short flights, and in small Boeing ships, even a few hours in the air turn into a nightmare. But during long flights, the overall liners of American manufacturers delight with convenience. Much depends on the model: if the B777 outperforms the A330, then the Dreamliner and A350 collect an equal number of accolades.

Which planes are safer: Airbus or Boeing

The issue of safety is one of the main aspects that concern passengers. But one should not draw conclusions based on the number of accidents: Boeing has been operating since 1916, and on its account both seaplanes and airliners for transcontinental flights. Also, the products were used during the Second World War, so the number of ships that did not arrive at the airport will not be a guideline. Airbus only started operating in 1970 and launched the first model in 1972.

To assess safety, the researchers took statistics for 2014 and made calculations. They found out the following:

• Airbus models made 28.3 million flights, of which 35 ended in crashes. The accident rate was 1:0.81 million flights.
• Boeing airliners made 461 million flights, crashes occurred 251 times. The frequency of accidents is 1:1.84 million.

The results showed that Boeing produces more reliable products. Achievements can be associated with a long history of the brand, which allowed to gain experience, and work in extreme conditions.

Boeing or Airbus: which plane is faster

As for speed, practice has shown that it is dangerous to chase the indicator. For this reason, carriers abandoned the famous TU-144 or Conviar 880. In which models did they manage to combine speed with reliability?

• Ranked first in terms of Boeing 747-8i, also known as 747-8 Intercontinental. It is used by Lufthansa, Korean Air and Air China. Cruising speed - 917 km / h.
• B747-400 became a kind of bestseller for aircraft designers. Its cruising speed is 917-912 km / h, thanks to which, in the period from 1988 to 2005, the manufacturer delivered 694 liners. 200 of them are still in use british airways, China Airlines and Korean Air.
• B777 develops a speed of 905 km / h. Since 1995, carriers have purchased 1,400 liners.
• B787 Dreamliner reaches 902 km / h. Since the model entered service in 2007, the developer has delivered 500 aircraft. The total number of orders exceeded 1200.
• A380 develops a cruising speed of 900 km / h, thanks to which more than 200 liners have been sold since 2007.

The indicator changes slightly, and during flights the crew makes adjustments for weather conditions, loading and optimization of fuel consumption. The carrier does not set the task of taking you from point A to point B with maximum speed, as pilot Patrick Smith talks about. According to him, if the flight took place on schedule, the crew chooses the option that allows them to save fuel. In practice, the difference for transcontinental flights is 16-20 minutes. Compared to the time you spend queuing for check-in or waiting for your luggage, this figure is not worthy of attention.

Comparison table of models

Tables enlarge on click

Comfort Comparison: Advantages and Disadvantages of Boeing and Airbus Passenger Seats

While much of the comfort of a flight depends on the airline, the type of aircraft also plays a role. It happens that carriers give the traveler a choice between big planes Boeing and Airbus: photos and reviews in such cases will help you decide.

Traveling in business class

Turkish Airlines operates a B777-300ER and an A330-300, both of which have a business-level compartment on board. What do passengers say?

While the service is up to the mark, travelers complain about the lack of privacy. Given the price of a business class ticket, the 2-3-2 seating arrangement used on board the B777 is a source of dissatisfaction. True, the A330 also did not deserve praise.

The arrangement of seats according to the 2-3-2 scheme causes dissatisfaction with business class passengers

Significant differences are noticeable in the design of the cabin, since the Boeing has it wider by 0.6 m. The Airbus has smaller windows, which does not allow you to admire the views.

If you do not want to communicate with a neighbor, choose the B777, because there are small dividers between the seats. you will get some more space for luggage, an abundance of entertainment on the monitor high resolution with a touch screen and the possibility of relative privacy.

According to traveler descriptions, the seats on the A330 can be fully folded out and settled down to sleep. But you will have to forget about privacy, as well as about the abundance of space for hand luggage and personal items.

The advantage of the A330 is the placement of seats according to the 2-2-2 scheme, but this plus cannot be called competitive. Most of the companies that have chosen Boeing tend to use 1-2-1 placement. For this reason, not the best lineup is due more to the greed of Turkish Airlines, and not to the mistake of the developers.

As a result, passengers prefer Boeing, but comfort in flight depends on the layout of the seats. You can get on the old B777 used by some aircraft, or fly comfortably on the new A330.

Traveling in economy class: what to choose

Need to appreciate the convenience of economy class? When choosing between Boeing and Airbus aircraft, take a look at the cabin photo and seating layout. Although the nuances vary by airline, general trends can be established:

• On the B747 economy class seats are arranged in a 3-4-3 pattern. Those who sit at the porthole will have to disturb the neighbors when going to the toilet. And if you find yourself in the center row, then the chance of getting a seat in the middle increases. As a result, you will not be able to enjoy the views, nor stretch your legs into the aisle.
• AT Airbus A380 seating arrangement varies from 3-4-3 to 2-4-2. Choose the latter option and, if possible, reserve seats in the side of the cabin. In this case, you will be sitting at the porthole or at the aisle, which will delight you with the benefits. The pluses include quiet noise from the engines: according to reviews on the forums, it only bothers those who sit near the wing. Also note that there is a lot of space on the shelves for hand luggage.
• A journey ahead of B777? Familiarize yourself with the cabin layout, as companies sometimes use the 3-4-3 option. To accommodate so many passengers, they install narrow seats. Experienced travelers try to reschedule their travel dates but end up on a different plane. Luckily, airlines prefer 3-3-3 or 2-5-2 seating. In the latter case, avoid places in the central part, because it will be impossible to stretch your legs without disturbing your neighbors.
• AT A330 and A340 Seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 pattern. The probability of getting a chair near the aisle or porthole increases.
• B767 pleases with the arrangement of places 2-3-2: in each row there is only 1 place in the middle, which is considered the most inconvenient.

It will not be possible to unequivocally determine which company cares more about passengers. It all depends on the model of the liner and the characteristics of the carrier, so check the cabin map and choose convenient seats.

Expert opinion: Pilots talk about Boeing and Airbus

The question of which aircraft is better interested even journalists from USA Today. They interviewed professional pilots to get expert opinion. The nuances were clarified by J. R. Andrews, who works with different types of liners:

Judging by popularity, B737 and A320 are most often found on the lines. The latter I like the ergonomics of the cabin: it is more spacious, and the noise level from the engines is lower. Their fuel consumption is the same, as is the speed of flights. The B737 is able to fly faster than the A320, but there is no difference on flights.

A major difference lies in how the aircraft behaves during force majeure. If I'm dealing with strong crosswinds or complex weather conditions, then I prefer to be in the cockpit of the B737. The model gives the pilot more freedom needed in extreme conditions. Maybe I'm biased because I've been running the B737 for longer, but it seems more reliable to me. A couple of crashes were linked to Airbus systems misreading conditions environment, and the pilot was unable to make adjustments due to the fact that his functions are limited. When I fly such an aircraft, sometimes it seems to me that he considers my vote to be deliberative!

Remember that most accidents happen during takeoff or landing. In case of force majeure, an Airbus pilot must first cancel programs already running. It takes time, and seconds count: they can take the lives of passengers and crew! Boeing has enough reaction speed and good pilot coordination.

Crew work is very difficult. But people created the planes and, in my opinion, people should fly them. Letting the jet fly "on its own" is too dangerous, at least for now.

How often have you thought about what kind of plane is flying over you or on which one you are going on a trip? Is it Boeing or Airbus? Is it A330 or B777?

Here is a simple instruction for identifying the type and model of aircraft for those who are interested in aviation. Let's try to make this guide as clear as possible.

How to identify an aircraft?

The first and easiest way is to look at the name of the aircraft, which is often written on the fuselage. On most aircraft it can be found and read and is not hard to do if you are close enough to the aircraft.
For practical reasons, we will focus only on two aviation giants - Airbus and Boeing (Boeing) and will not consider other manufacturers such as: Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, Antonov, Ilyushin, Bombardier, Embraer, Sukhoi.
We will also consider aircraft that this moment actively fly around the world, so old models will not be described here.

Brief information

Boeing (Boeing) is an American company and the world's largest aircraft manufacturer in terms of profits, orders and deliveries of finished aircraft. Airbus is a European manufacturer, a division of EADS, and the creator of almost half of the world's jet aircraft.

Boeing aircraft numbering starts with the number 7, such as 737, 747, 757, 767, 777 and the newest 787 Dreamliner.
Airbus aircraft numbering starts with the number 3, for example A300, A310, A318, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, A380.

Airbus or Boeing. A-team vs. b-team

Airbus nose - convex, rounded

The new part of the Boeing - built up

Check bow aircraft, the Boeing has a more pointed one, and the Airbus has a rounded one.

Look at the cockpit windows. The windows on an Airbus plane have a straight bottom line, and on most Boeings this border is V-shaped. Also, the outer window of an Airbus looks like its corner has been cut off.

Airbus A330 APU area (tail) - rounded

Boeing B777 APU area (tail) - "cut down"

Take a look at the tail of the aircraft, namely the APU (APU - Auxiliary Power Unit). Both Airbus and Boeing have a circular tail section, with one exception - the Boeing has a "sawn off" shape at the end.

All Airbus wide-body aircraft, except for the A380, have a straight upper fuselage shape, up to the APU. On Boeings, the tail is tapered, while on Airbuses, the top line remains straight, while the bottom curves strongly upwards.

Narrow-body or Wide-body aircraft

Narrow-body aircraft are aircraft that have only one aisle between the seats and are usually smaller and shorter in size.

Airbus: A318, A319, A320 and A321
Boeing: B737 and B757

Wide-body aircraft are aircraft with two aisles between the seats, they are usually larger and longer in size.

Airbus: A300, A310, A330, A340, A380 and A350.
Boeing: B747, B757, B767, B777, B787 Dreamliner and B747-8 Intercontinental

2 engines or 4 engines

Only A340, A380 and B747 series aircraft have 4 engines, other aircraft have 2 engines each.

Large aircraft A340, A380 and B747:

If an aircraft has 4 engines and 2 full rows of windows, then it is an Airbus A380

If the plane has 4 engines and one and a half rows of windows, then this is a Boeing B747

One row of seats, long fuselage and 4 engines - Airbus A340

B777 or A330

Boeing B777 has 3 pairs of wheels on each chassis. The B777 has 14 wheels in total, in a 6 6 2 configuration.

The Boeing B777 does not have winglets.

The Airbus A330 aircraft has two pairs of wheels on each landing gear

Wheels: Boeing has 3 pairs of wheels, Airbus has 2 pairs of wheels on each chassis.
Tail section (APU): Boeing has a sawn-off tail section, Airbus has a tapered tail section.
Wings: Boeing does not have wingtips, Airbus has wings that curl at the ends.

A320 or B737 series

In terms of capacity, here's how Airbus planes compare to Boeing planes
A318 vs. B737-600
A319 vs. B737-700
A320 vs. B737-800
A321 vs. B737-900

Left B737-700, right A320. Pay attention to the difference in the shape of the aircraft.

Compare the A320 at the top and the B737 at the bottom. The fuselage of the 320 is rounded at the nose and pointed at the tail. The fuselage of the 737 is pointed at the nose and rounded at the tail.

Can you guess where is A320 and where is B737?

In each case, the Boeing version of the aircraft is lighter and can accommodate more people. The Airbus aircraft is located higher from the ground, compared to the Boeing. The A320 series aircraft have fly-by-wire technology, which means that the computer plays an important role during the flight, unlike the Boeing 737, where the pilot is given a central role. The A320 is longer than the B737 but has a smaller wingspan.

Look at the vertical stabilizer in the tail section to distinguish the 737 from the A320. If the angle of the tail fin is very sharp where it attaches to the fuselage, then it's a B737.

If the aircraft is larger, has round engines and a longer fuselage, then this is the A320. If the engines are flattened at the bottom, then this is a B737.

More about Boeing.

More about Boeing B737.
The Boeing B737 comes in 9 versions -100, -200, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -800, and -900ER. Versions -300, -400 and -500 fall into the classic category, and the last 4 versions are new generation Boeings. The -300s series is the shortest and -900ER the longest.

B737-100 Classic

B737-200 classic

B737-300 classic

B737-400 classic

B737-500 classic

B737-600 new generation

B737-700 new generation

B737-800 new generation

B737-900 new generation

The Boeing-100s series no longer flies.
If the front of the engine is slightly flattened, then this is a classic series, and if the shape is almost rounded, then this is a new generation.
If you look at the APU and see two holes, then this is a new generation, if there is one hole, then this is the classic version.
Also, all classic versions have additional small windows above the main ones in the cockpit (eyebrow windows).
If the plane seems long and it's classic, then it's the 400 series, if it's long and it's a new generation, then it's the 800 series. If the plane is very long and has 3 doors on each side, then it is a 900 series.

More about B747
Boeing B747 is available in 5 versions - 100, -SP, -200, -300, and -400. All versions are 70.6 meters long, except for the B747SP which is 15 meters shorter. There are several variations, but we will only consider the "big five".

The Boeing B747-100 and -200 have 10 windows on each side of the upper deck, some early versions of the -100 series that are no longer in production had 3 windows on each side of the upper deck.

B747-200 has 10 windows on each side of the upper deck.

The B747-300 has a longer upper deck than the -200 and -100 series. Also, the -300 series has a door on the upper deck.

Only the Boeing B747-400 version has curved wings at the end.

The B747-SP version has a shorter fuselage, but this is offset by a longer nose.

More about Boeing B757s
B757s are produced in two series -200 and -300.

Series -200 comes with 3 doors on each side and small windows emergency exit.

Series - 300 has 4 doors and 2 emergency exit windows on each side.

More about Boeing B767s

Boeing B767 is produced in three series - 200, -300 and -400 with corresponding versions for long-range flights. The -200 series is the shortest, the -400 series is the longest respectively.

B767-200

B767-300

B767-400

What is the key difference between Boeing B757 and B767?

The wingspan of the Boeing 767 is 48 meters, which is 10 meters more than the 757. The position of the front wheel relative to the cabin is more forward in the Boeing 767 than in the 757.
Also, the main wheel system is much closer to the rear of the aircraft on the Boeing 767.

More about the Boeing B777s

The easiest way to identify a Boeing B777 is to look at its tail section, looking for a razor-shaped tail cone. Also pay attention to the main landing gear, if you see 6 wheels on each landing gear, then this is a 777. There are 4 passenger versions of the Boeing 777: B777-200, B777-200 ER (Extended Range), B777-200LR (Longer Range), B777- 300 and B777-300ER (Extended Range). These versions differ in fuselage length and flight range. The -300s series is longer than -200s by 10 meters.

Fuselage length:
B777-200 - 63.7m
B777-200ER - 63.7m
The B777-200LR - 63.7m - is the longest range commercial aircraft. Boeing called this aircraft Worldliner, noting that it can connect almost any two airports in the world.

B777-300 - 73.9m
B777-300ER - 73.9m

More about Airbus aircraft

Airbus A300s

A300 B2

A300 B4

A300-600

The basic fuselage design of the A330 is borrowed from the A300. How can you tell two planes apart if they are parked next to each other? The A330 has upturned wingtips and is longer than the A300. The Airbus A330 may or may not have wingtips. Also, the A330 has a larger wingspan.

A310

The Airbus A310 is a smaller version of the A300. It is produced in two different versions -200 and -300. It has a shorter fuselage and a smaller tail than the A300. Also, the A310 only has two doors on each side, unlike the A300 which has 3 doors on each side.

More about Airbus A320s

The A320 series of aircraft includes the A318-100, A319-100, A320-200 and A321-200.
If we compare the length of the fuselage, then the A318 is the shortest, and the A321 is the longest.

A318-100 – 31.44m

A319-100 - 33.84m

A320-200 - 37.57m

A321-200 - 44.51m

The A320 usually has two emergency exit windows on the wings of the aircraft, while the A318 and A319 only have one emergency exit window. The A321 aircraft has 4 doors on each side.

More about Airbus A330s series aircraft

Airbus A330 is delivered in 2 passenger versions A330-200 and A330-300. The -300 series is longer than -200. The -300 version can carry more passengers, but has less range.

Fuselage length
A330-200 - 58.8m

A330-300 - 63.6m

More about Airbus A340s series aircraft

If the plane has 4 engines and a one-story cabin, then you can bet that this is an A340. Airbus A340 is produced in 4 versions A340-200, A340-300, A340-500 and A340-600.

The length of the fuselage can help distinguish the versions from each other. The A340-600 is the second largest aircraft in the world after the Boeing B747-8 Intercontinental (currently under development). Both the -500 and -600 series are available in High Gross Weight versions with increased range, fuel capacity and weight.

Fuselage length
A340-200 - 59.39m

A340-300 – 63.60m

A340-500 – 67.90m

A340-600 – 75.30m

When traveling long distances, there is no alternative to the aircraft in terms of speed and comfort. Airbus and Boeing are the main competitors in the world market. These companies have been “dividing the sky” for over 50 years, and both brands have their adherents. Let's try to get acquainted with the characteristics of their products and understand what are the main differences.

Definition

Boeing is an American company founded in 1916 and engaged in scientific and technical research, development and production of aerospace products. The corporation's production is located in the United States, where its main facilities are concentrated.

Boeing 737

Airbus is the largest European transnational company in the aerospace industry, founded in 1970 through the merger of several companies. This brand produces civil, military and industrial aircraft.

Comparison

The main competition between these brands unfolded in civil aviation, where two classes of aircraft are contrasted: A320, A330, A340 (Airbus) and B-737, B-767, B-777, B-787 (Boeing). These samples have many differences, both in external design and in technical terms. For example, an airbus has a high ground clearance and a "blunt" nose, the door for passengers is moved to the side (as on tourist buses). Auxiliary power block located behind the tail, straight and elongated.

Boeing in this sense looks different. He sits much lower, and his nose is pointed. The door swings open, which is considered a more reliable option: it is almost impossible to open it in flight. It is also worth adding that Boeing crashes much more often than Airbuses. In 2012, the number of crashes was in favor of the European brand: 58 against 22.

Findings site

1. Popularity. In 2012 total Boeing orders for the most popular models of civil aviation amounted to 2.876, Airbus - 4.886.
2. Appearance. The Airbus has a higher landing (clearance) and a rounded nose, the Boeing has a sharp nose and a low landing.
3. Opening a side door. At the Boeing it swings open, at the Airbus it moves back.
4. Auxiliary power unit type. On Boeing planes, it is beveled and short, on Airbuses it is straight and long.
5. Chassis cleaning method. At the Boeing they fit under the bottom of the aircraft in a recess, at the Airbus they hide in a special niche.
6. Place in the danger rating. The first lines are occupied by Boeing products (737 and 747 models), while in the overall standings the airbus crashes about 2.5 times less often.