Can you instantly identify an aircraft and its configuration with just a glimpse of its fuselage? Or are you aircraft-challenged and couldn't tell a Boeing 747 from a DC9 if it were parked in your living room?
The following annotated list describes some of most common aircraft currently flown by U.S. carriers. This edition of Transit Authority answers questions such as which aircraft:
have 100% fresh air
are wide body versus single aisle
are well traveled versus fresh off the assembly line
have roomy overhead bins
seat 50, 130, or up to 524 fellow travelers
The airlines are responsible for the cabin configuration of their planes -- that is, the placement of seats within the cabin. This configuration is noted by a series of numbers, each of which represents the number of seats on each side of an aisle. For example, a single-aisle plane with two seats, then an aisle, then two more seats is represented as a 2-2 configuration. Wide-body aircraft are generally considered to be any aircraft with more than one aisle; these planes include Boeing's 747, 767, and 777; Lockheed's L-1011; McDonnell Douglas's DC-10; and Airbus Industries' A300 and A310.
Note: Boeing and Airbus launch fleets -- or families -- of aircraft with multiple variations of a basic aircraft. For example, Boeing's 737-800 is a stretch version of the base 737 aircraft.
Aircraft
Description
Boeing 717
Launched in 2000, the 717-200 aircraft is Boeing's newest fleet. The 717 features more headroom than similar aircraft, cleaner and quieter engines, roomier overhead storage (with larger EasyFit bins), 100% fresh air circulated throughout the cabin, and more aisle and window seats. AirTran is the largest operator of Boeing 717s. The 717 seats about 120 passengers.
Boeing 727
The 727 was one of most popular planes ever; today, however, airlines are in the process of retiring these aircraft from their fleets. The 727 seats 125 passengers.
Boeing 737
A single aisle, twin-engine, short-to-medium-range airplane, the 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner of all time. The newest versions are the 737-700 and 737-800, both of which were first placed into service in 1998. The 737 seats 110-150 passengers, depending on series and airline configuration; economy configuration is 3-3. Most majors fly 737s--Southwest exclusively.
Boeing 747
The wide-body, twin-engine, long-range 747-400 is considered to be the fastest and largest subsonic jet in the world. The 747 has a cruising speed of 567 mph or Mach .855 -- 85% the speed of sound -- and at 231 feet can carry 416-524 passengers depending on configuration. The first 747 was put into commercial service in 1970.
Boeing 757
A single aisle, twin-engine, short-to-medium-range jetliner, the 757 family has two versions: the 757-200 (designed to seat up to 200) and the 757-300 (a stretch version of the 757-200 that can carry an extra 40 passengers). Economy configuration is 3-3.
Boeing 767
The wide-body, twin-engine 767 is sized between the single-aisle 757 and the larger, twin-aisle 777. The 767 can seat up to 290 passengers, depending on the series and airline configuration. Economy configuration is 2-3-2.
Boeing 777
The wide body, twin-engine 777 is the newest member of the Boeing wide-body family. At 209 feet in length, the 777 is second in size only to the 231-foot-long Boeing 747. The 777 seats 305 or 375 passengers, depending on airline configuration; economy configuration is 2-5-2. The first 777 was flown in 1995.
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