Intro to Boeing
Updated: Jul 20, 2021
Boeing is an Aircraft manufacturing company founded on July 15, 1916 in Seattle, Washington, United States. It has been over 100 years in history. If you see a B-...on the safety card in your seat pocket, you are on a Boeing. Boeing uses a steering wheel in the cockpit to control some movements of the plane. Both Boeing and Airbus have trivial crash percentages. The five most popular Boeing aircraft types today are the B737NG (next generation), B747, B757/767, B777, and B787.
For reference, below is an mp4 file of a B777 taking off. (TOGA at 0:17; rotation at 0:56)
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(Special Note Ahead: The "You will experience it if" estimate also takes account of passenger bookings and aircraft availability. Airlines receive the number of passengers beforehand so they can arrange and dispatch aircrafts. )
B737NG Family
The Boeing 737NG is a narrow body, twin-engine airliner first flown on February 9, 1997. Its variants are B737-600, B737-700, B737-800, and B737-900. In nowadays, over 10,000 737NGs are built. It is considered one of the safest airliner series in the world due to the large amount of 737's in the air. It owns the highest number of currently operating airliner. Chances are you will board on an 737NG airliner on domestic flights or short to medium distance flights.
Summary:
Narrow body airliner
Twin-engine
First flown on February 9, 1997
Variants: B736, B737-700, B738, and B739 (also 737 MAX)
Over 10,000 737NGs
Highest number of currently operating
Very popular and safe (lots of 737NG in the air)
You will experience it if: Domestic flights or short to medium distance flights
B747 Family
The Boeing 747 is a wide body, four-engine airliner first flown on February 9, 1969. Its variants are B747-400 and 747-8. B747 is used to fly long distance flights in the past, but the A380 and B777 are both taking its place. A special feature of the B747 is the huge hump in the front of the body. It's also named the "queen of the sky". Chances are you will board on an B747 if it's an long haul international flight (e.g. via Anchorage).
Summary:
Wide body airliner
Four-engine
First flown on February 9, 1969
Variants: B744 and 748
Used to fly long distances (A380 & B777 taking its place)
Huge hump in the front
"Queen of the Sky"
You will experience it if: long haul flights (e.g. via Anchorage)
B757 Family
The Boeing 757 is a narrow body, twin-engine airliner first flown on February 19, 1982. Its variants are B757-200 and B757-300. It is especially popular among the US by airlines such as Delta, American, and United. In fact, Trump's plane is actually a B757! Chances are you will board on an B757 if it's an domestic or international or transatlantic flight.
Summary:
Narrow body airliner
Twin-engine
First flown on February 19, 1982
Variants: B752 and B753
Trump Plane is a 757!
You will experience it if: domestic / international / transatlantic flights
B767 Family
The Boeing 767 is a wide body, twin-engine airliner first flown on September 26, 1981. Its variants are B767-200, B767-200ER (extended range), B767-300, B767-300ER, and B767-400ER. The B767 is Boeing's first wide-body twinjet ever made. Chances are you will board on an B767 if it's an medium to long range international flight (e.g. Taipei to Heneda)
Summary:
Wide body airliner
Twin-engine
First flown on September 26, 1981
Variants: B762, B767-200ER, B763, B767-300ER, and B767-400ER
Boeing's first wide-body twinjet with a glass cockpit
You will experience it if: medium to long range international flight (e.g. Taipei to Heneda
B777 Family
The Boeing 777 is a wide body, twin-engine airliner first flown on June 12, 1994. Its variants are B777-200, B777-200ER, B777-200LR (longer range), B777-300, B777-300ER (77W), and B777X. Despite some notorious crashes, the B777 is considered one of the safest airliner in the world. According to SOAR, B777 is the 2nd safe airliner (behind A340) that has a rate of one accident (which everyone survived) per eighteen-million hours of flying. Chances are you will board on an B777 if it's a long haul international flight. (e.g. Hong Kong to JFK)
Summary:
Wide body airliner
Twin-engine
First flown on June 12, 1994 Variants: B772, B777-200ER, B777-200LR (longer range), B773, 77W, and B777X
2nd safe airliner (behind A340); one accident per eighteen-million hours of flying
You will experience it if: long haul international flights (e.g. HKG to JFK)
B787 Family
The Boeing 787 is a wide body, twin-engine airliner first flown on December 15, 2009. Its variants are B787-8, B787-9, and 787-10. It's also called the "787 Dreamliner". The 787 is also famous for its LED lightings and a higher humidity inside the cabin, minimizing the chance of having headaches, fatigue, or dry skin. The B787 has no incidents and accidents at all currently despite some lithium battery problems. It has a curved wing, which makes its flight performance much more efficient. Chances are you will board on an B787 if it's an international flight or a long haul flight.
Summary:
Wide body airliner
Twin-engine
First flown on December 15, 2009
Variants: B788, B789, and 787-10 "Boeing 787 Dreamliner"
Also famous for LED interior lightings & higher humidity
No incidents / accidents
Curved wing (better flight performance)
You will experience it if: international flights or long haul flights