In a world where cars are the normal mode of transportation, many flyers simply buy their plane tickets and climb onto the plane that they’re supposed to board. Others, however, take an interest in what type of plane is carrying them through the air.
For those who are interested: Have you ever noticed that the majority of planes in the sky are made by the same few companies? And have you ever wondered what the differences are between them all? Our Newark Airport parking company dove into it:
The top 10 commercial jets that are sold to airlines:
1. Boeing 747
2. Boeing 777
3. Boeing 737
4. Boeing 787
5. Boeing 757
6. Boeing 767
7. Boeing 727
8. Airbus A320
9. Boeing 707
10. Airbus A380
It’s safe to say that Boeing dominates the skies when it comes to commercial planes. So what’s the difference between all the “7 series” models?
The Boeing 707 was one of the first successes in the commercial airline market. It’s considered a mid-size, long-range, and narrow-bodied plane that was first produced in the late 1950s. Boeing 707s are equipped with four engines and can hold between 140 and 189 passengers.
The Boeing 727 was also first built in the 1950s and is considered a mid-size, medium-range, and narrow-bodied plane. While the 707 and 727 both hold about the same amount of passengers, the 707 is built to travel longer distances (2,500 to 5,750 nautical miles) while the 727 is built to travel short to medium distances (2,400 to 2,700 nautical miles). The 727 also has three engines instead of four.
Moving onto the Boeing 737: This plane has even fewer engines (two) and is a narrow-bodied plane that can travel short to medium distances. It was first introduced in the late 1960s and is considered the best-selling jet airliner ever. The 737 seats anywhere from 126-215 passengers.
Boeing’s four-engine 747 is considered one of the most recognizable commercial planes in the industry. Introduced just two years after the 737, the 747 was the first wide-bodied airplane to be produced (the original being 2 1/2 times larger in capacity than the 707). It has a range of about 7,260 miles and can hold 416-660 passengers. When first built, the 747 held the record for passenger capacity for 37 years.
The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-bodied plane powered by two engines that was introduced in the early 1980s. It was built to replace the 727s on short and medium routes of 3,150 to 4,100 nautical miles. The 757 can carry 200-295 passengers and is the largest of the single-aisle commercial planes.
Also in the early 1980s, Boeing designed its first large-size, wide-body twin-engine plane – the 767. It was also the first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The 767 can hold 181-375 passengers and can travel a range of 3,850-6,385 miles. Because it was designed alongside the 757, the two models have the same design features, which means pilots can get one certification to fly both planes.
The Boeing 777 is the largest twin-jet plane and can hold 314-451 passengers. It’s considered a wide-body, long-range plane that can fly between 5,235 and 9,380 miles, and has been ordered more than any other wide-bodied plane. The 777 was first produced in the mid 1990s and its 200LR model holds the record for the longest distance flown non-stop by a commercial aircraft.
Boeing’s 787, also known as the “Dreamliner,” is the most recent creation by Boeing. The mid-size, wide-bodied, twin-engine plane was introduced in the late 2000s and can seat 242-335 passengers. It was designed to be more fuel efficient (by 20%) than the 767, which it’s replacing, and shares the same design features as the 777, so pilots can get one certification to fly both planes.
The Airbus A320 is a narrow-bodied, twin-engine plane built to fly short to medium distances (up to 3,300 nautical miles). A smaller plane, the A320 holds about 150 passengers and is used mainly for domestic commercial flights. Other models in the “family,” including the A318, A319 and A321, can hold up to 220 passengers.
Quite the opposite of the A320, the Airbus A380 is a wide-bodied, four-engine plane with two decks of seating. It’s considered the largest passenger airliner in the world and can seat between 525 and 853 people. The A380 can travel up to 8,500 nautical miles and has 40% more cabin space than the next largest airliner, the Boeing 747-8.
Seating arrangements (on average):
Boeing 707: Two rows – each with three seats
Boeing 727: Two rows – each with three seats
Boeing 737: Two rows – each with three seats
Boeing 747: Three rows – two with three seats, one with two seats; upper deck, first-class “lounge” seats
Boeing 757: Two rows – each with three seats
Boeing 767: Three rows – two with two seats, one with three seats
Boeing 777: Three rows – each with three seats
Boeing 787: Three rows – each with three seats
Airbus A320: Two rows – each with three seats
Airbus A380: Three rows – two with three seats, one with four seats; upper deck, first-class “lounge” seats or optional salon/bar
No matter what plane you fly, make sure to reserve your Newark Airport parking spot with NALTP. We offer affordable, convenient parking that lets you skip the hassle of Newark Airport.
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