How to Identify a Boeing from an Airbus?

In the realm of commercial aviation, Boeing and Airbus serve as the largest aircraft manufacturers with countless airliners relying on them to fill and maintain their fleet. As both companies produce similar aircraft models to achieve overlapping goals of passenger transportation, it can often be a little difficult to discern what model belongs to which company outside of obvious markings and specifications. This confusion is also bolstered by the individual branding that each airliner often applies to the fuselage of their aircraft, making it more difficult to tell the difference between planes. In this blog, we will discuss the difference between Airbus and Boeing aircraft, allowing you to spot each with ease.

From the exterior, there are quite a few ways in which one can discern between Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The first is to look at the cockpit windows, as the last pane will often differ in its angle. Generally, Airbus manufacturer aircraft will have a more square shape design for the last cockpit window, and it will typically have a right angle at the intersection of the aircraft body. Boeing manufacturer aircraft, meanwhile, have more angled window panes.

The airplane nose is also a signifier of the manufacturer, each differing in how rounded or sharp the tip is. Boeing aircraft will often have a sharper nose in comparison to an Airbus, and they may extend more outwards from the cockpit. If the shape of the nose is more semi-circular and snubbed, then it is most likely an Airbus aircraft. 

The aircraft engines are also a good place to look when determining the manufacturer of a given plane, and such assemblies often feature stark differences that are easier to spot than others. If the top of the engine is rounded while the bottom is fairly flat, then the aircraft is most likely a Boeing. With a fully circular engine, meanwhile, the aircraft will typically be an Airbus. The aircraft engines will also differ when viewed from the side, Boeing engines being situated near the front of the wing while the Airbus engines are always fully placed under the wing. 

Near the back-end of the aircraft, one may notice minor differences in the shape of the tail or fin. When the tail gradually slopes down and extends farther across the top of the fuselage, it will most likely be a Boeing aircraft. Airbus aircraft will typically have tails that are sharper in their angle with no extended slope. 

While other exterior features are quite easy to inspect when viewing aircraft on a runway, there are also differences underneath on the landing gear that can only be seen when the aircraft is in the air. If you are inspecting the belly of an aircraft and the retracted landing gear is visible, then the aircraft is a Boeing manufacturer model. When the landing gear retracts into a covered compartment where it can no longer be seen, it is an Airbus aircraft. 

Beyond exterior features, one may also notice various interior details that differ between each manufacturer, ranging from cockpit controls to the design of emergency exits. At Internet of Hardware, we operate as an AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B certified and accredited enterprise with our peerless dedication to quality control and export compliance. If you find yourself in need of various aircraft parts and components to successfully conduct your operations, let us help you source everything you require with time and cost savings. With over 2 billion items readily available for purchase, we invite you to peruse our part catalogs at your leisure. Once you find items of interest, utilize our RFQ service to rapidly request quotes for your comparisons with ease. At Internet of Hardware, we are more than just a dependable distributor of parts; we are your strategic sourcing partner for all your needs.

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1. rooland cooper
2. Posted on January 10, 2022
aviation

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