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December 7, 2024 | 12:36 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the commercial aviation industry has evolved over the past few decades, there has been a debate about which giant fleet is more mainstream than the other. Is it Airbus or Boeing? Both aerospace juggernauts have similarities and it can be somewhat challenging to differentiate between the two aviation giants. Let's explore some clues that set the two planes apart.
Major Differences Between Airbus and Boeing
Citing Simple Flying and Flight Radar 24, there are several differences between Airbus and Boeing:
1. Control System
The first striking difference between Airbus and Boeing is in the control system of each aircraft, with each supporting a different setup for operating the aircraft. Although it may not be obvious to the public, Airbus pilots use fly-by-wire technology, where they use a side stick to steer the aircraft.
Boeing, on the other hand, has a more classic approach to flight control, where elevator, aileron and rudder are controlled by the yoke. This manual operation allows Boeing pilots to maneuver the airplane in the event of unprecedented problems.
2. Door and Window Designs
An easy way to distinguish between airplanes from different manufacturers is to look at their door and window designs. On Airbus aircraft, the doors open parallel to the fuselage, while Boeing doors swing open in a transverse direction. Simply put, Boeing doors swing horizontally from left to right, while Airbus doors swing from bottom to top.
Another noticeable difference is the flight deck windows. Airbus aircraft typically have windows with missing corners at the top and rear on both sides, giving them a distinctive shape. On the other hand, Boeing aircraft such as the 737 and 777 are characterized by more angular side windows.
3. Aircraft Engines
Newer Boeing airplanes have distinctive ridges on the back of their engines, called chevrons, which are specifically designed to minimize engine noise. According to NASA, these chevrons help reduce noise levels and can be seen prominently on models such as the Boeing 787, 747-8, 777X, and 737 MAX series.
Another notable difference is the shape of the engine nacelles. Boeing 737NG models have a unique flattened design at the bottom of their nacelles, while Airbus aircraft typically have round nacelles that house the engine. On Airbus A320 and A330 models, passengers may also notice a barking sound during certain phases of flight, a characteristic noise of the aircraft's hydraulic systems in operation.
4. Wings and Wingtips
The wingtip designs of Airbus and Boeing aircraft show notable differences between the two manufacturers. Boeing wings often slope upward from the fuselage, forming a distinct upward angle toward the tips, while Airbus wings generally appear flatter. Older Airbus models, such as the A320ceo and A380, have triangular wing fences. In comparison, Boeing narrow-body aircraft typically use winglets for their wingtip design.
5. Historical Ties and Global Presence
Boeing is a United States-based aircraft that was developed by an American lumber merchant, William E. Boeing, during World War I, according to the Pilot Institute. Its European counterpart, Airbus, was founded in 1970.
Ultimately, the choice between Airbus and Boeing isn't about which is better, but rather which innovation meets the needs of the industry and the passengers it serves. In their shared pursuit of aviation excellence, both continue to shape the future of flight.
Simple Flying | Flight Radar 24
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