BOEING or AIRBUS – How to identify?

Once u move in the aviation industry and get to know about various aircrafts, YES!! YOU ALSO GET KEEN TO IDENTIFY THEM. If you want to differentiate between The Airbus and The Boeing you are at the very right place.

Nowadays, there are many different models of Airbus and Boeing aircraft ranging from old to new, and very big like the B747 Jumbo Jet or A380, or much smaller like the A319 or B737. The best to distinguish between the Airbus and Boeing is to compare the short haul aircrafts: Airbus 320 and Boeing 737.

Comparing EXTERIOR-Airbus and Boeing

NOSE

The A320 has a much more rounded nose which isn’t very long. While, the nose on the B737 is somewhat longer making it look a bit sleeker.

In other words Boeing has pointy nose and the nose of Airbus appears bulbous.

WINGTIPS

If you have been observant, you must have noticed that their are several types of wing-ends. These perform a significant role in reducing drag (induced drag). Both Airbus and Boeing use wingtip devices which increase fuel efficiency.

The Boeing and earlier Airbus are easy to tell apart as:

• one uses wing fences and
• the other uses winglets. However, both also use Winglets (Boeing) and Sharklets (Airbus) which look very similar and are difficult to tell apart.

• Important note:
  • Boeing-Winglets
  • Airbus-Sharklets

COCKPIT WINDOWS

The difference specifically lies at the side window panels.

• If you take a glance at the Airbus side-cockpit windows:
  • They end at right angles
  • Looks similar to the edges of square
• While in Boeing:
  • The side windows converge
  • Appears like v-shape and look more angular

SHAPE OF THE ENGINES

May be you haven’t noticed, but a closer inspection will confirm you the difference in the engine conics.

• Airbus:
  • It almost has a perfect circular shape.
• While in Boeing:
  • It is not a perfect circle
  • Almost flat at the bottom
  • And has very little ground clearance

LANDING GEAR

Another easiest way to distinguish is by looking at the landing gear. We have prepared a cheat sheet for your reference.

Comparing INTERIOR-Airbus and Boeing

PASSENGER WINDOWS

The passenger windows of the Boeing are little larger than the Aibus. Also, they are slightly lower which might mean you are finding yourself leaning down to look anywhere.

AIRBUS

BOEING

• B707 and B720 windows- 9 x 12.5 inches (22.86 x 31.75cm).
• The B727, B737, B747, B757 and B767 are all the same size-10 BY 14 in.
• B777, B767-400 and B747-8 have larger-10 x 15in (25.4 x 38.1cm) windows.

CABIN WIDTH

The A320 is a bit wider than the B737 (by about 7 inches) so you will notice the cabin isle is a bit wider. However, the seat specifications are decided by individual airlines, the A320 passenger seats are generally a fraction wider.

LEG SPACE & IFE(InFlight Entertainment)

While buying airplanes you can choose from optional extras to be added. One of these optional extras is whether to include Inflight Entertainment or not.

Leg room/the space between the seats, is decided by the airline not the manufacture. This is the same principle as leg room, it’s decided on by the airline and not the manufacture.

So, if you find yourself on a 4-hour flight getting sore knees from the seat in front, blame the airline and not Mr. Boeing or Airbus!

You may also note the NOISE

When flying on the A320 and the aircraft initially pushes back to start the engines. The pilots pressurises the hydraulics through the ‘Power Transfer Unit’ or PTU. This makes a type of ‘squelching’ noise under the floor around the middle of the cabin.

Also, on the A320, just after take-off, you will usually hear a single chime. This chime conveys the Cabin Crew that the landing gear has been retracted.

So, yess now you are all set to identify the plane you’ll be cruising next time. Have a wonderful journey next time!!!

Do you know what the blinking lights in airplane mean???Click on the below link to know more..

https://a2zblog.in/all-about-the-blinking-lights-in-an-airplane/