AIRBUS or BOEING @nd introduction (part 1)

AIRBUS or BOEING @nd introduction (part 1):

I have been asked by many, what are the differences between Boeing commercial aeroplanes and Airbus’. To be frank, I found that even myself with some extent of aviation background can hardly differentiate them at a glance, let alone 30 000 feet below, (when they fly over). People normally questioning as why are they quite hard to identify? Why the designs are almost the similar, even though manufactured by different companies? The answer is because Boeing has produced commercial aircrafts for a longer period than the rest & so dominant it has been, leading the brand to be set up as a benchmark in commercial aviation world. Therefore, what other companies especially Airbus did were just copy and improvise the designs. Again, when I look at them thoroughly, there are notable differences. They become more conspicuous after i did more research via net and i will explain here.

Malaysia Airlines new A330

But first, a quick history look at both companies. Boeing is a United States company & has produced aircrafts since mid of 90s! While Airbus originated in Europe, started in late 90s and quickly became Boeing main rival in the business. Airbus company is a consortium comprised of several European countries(German, UK, France others) holding their shares respectively &, was created purposely to break the world domination of the US aviation company, and it is really successful in competing for the past 10 years to date. All Boeing airliner models started with number #7; to name among a few are model B737, B747, B777 and the latest B787(B short for boeing of course). Whereas Airbus models started with number #3, & are A320, A330, A340, and world largest passenger airliner in A380. Later, some models undergone certain modifications and improvements to produce a better version of the parents model. For instance, model 737 can be subdivided into more categories like 737-400 series(abbreviated as 734), or the latest series in 737-900(739) in which the latter is better electronically equipped. (it’s similar to BMW 3series and BMW M3 :-p)

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner & 747-800

Airbus A380, 340

In term of performance wise, Airbus is better in the sense of, it is easier to fly with less workload for the pilot, because it incorporates electronic digital devices to help fly the plane, hence the company philosophy of “Fly by the wire”. While boeing is more of the pilot’s say, capability & manuality. But seeing the current trend where many major airliner prefer the more advanced electronically handled aeroplanes & started to turn their attention towards Airbus, Boeing retaliated by producing models that can close their gap to Airbus’ aeroplanes. Their latest models in B777 & B787 are also enhanced with electronic devices and better mileage, purposely built to compete with A340 and A380. Safety wise, both are good because they met the standard set by the FAA. But records stated that Airbus aeroplanes have less incidents going on because their history is still quite recent, and they incorporate less human errors. But still Boeing’s are catching up.

the ever elegant aeroplane disappearing into the sky..

Different model numbers signify the variation design of the aircraft (like 737 & 747). Then there are further variations with added hundreds number, behind the main model number (eg: A330-300, 737-800 NG, or 777-200 LR). The bigger hundreds number behind main model number, the more latest and advanced it is. (ascending model in sequence: 737-200, 737-400, 737-800). Prominent variations among aeroplane models are 2 engines & 4 engines model; wide or narrow and long body, single or double aisles, single or double decks, cockpit designs either analog or electronically enhanced(glass cockpit), and many others. Eventually, Airbus & Boeing don’t normally produce same category,type or size of aeroplanes to avoid from competing head on, instead they tend to produced aircraft models to complement what the other is lacking. This move is beneficial for both sides. Thus, trivially there are no one identical models since they cover holes existed in one another.

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