Do you pay mind to the type of aircraft while booking flight tickets? If not, then you belong to the majority of fliers. Passengers mostly filter their flight booking search by price and choice of airport or airlines.
Aircraft-type is amongst the most important and overlooked factors. And, it significantly alters your flight experience.
So, if this is something alien to you, then you can take a brief look at the article below.
By the end, you will have enough data to pick the kind of aircraft that suits you the best. Will it be an Airbus or is it going to be a Boeing? Find out…
Airbus A320 or Boeing 737
1) Windows:
If one of the reasons you book airline flights is to gaze out of the airplane, windows are a big deal. Boeing 737 features larger windows than Airbus A320. However, size is one thing, and then there is placement.
If you consider the placement of windows in line with the seats, then you should go for Airbus A320. Boeing windows are placed lower than Airbus. So, you may have to adjust your eye level.
2) Cabin Space:
Airbus A320 has wider cabins than Boeing 737. There is at least a difference of seven inches. Consider that next time you book airline flight tickets, especially if you require more space than others.
Comparing the big three’s (Delta, United, and American Airlines) Airbus Fleet with Boeing, the former offers better seat width.
3) Curvature:
The design of an aircraft is the difference between extra shoulder space. The lesser the curvature the more space you get. Also, this means the difference between while selecting long-haul airline flight deals.
Also, the wall curving leaves less space for your head. And, once again Airbus A320 tops Boeing 737. Airbus design features less curvature.
4) Number of Passengers:
Boeing 737 fourth-generation beats earlier variants of Airbus. However, the Airbus A320 family has a more consistent seating capacity, i.e., around 195 passengers. Also, Airbus has the largest airliner in the world.
5) Range:
Boeing clearly takes the lead, when it comes to aircraft range. Airplane design, more specifically seat capacity and plays a decisive role in setting the range.
This means that range and the number of passengers an aircraft holds are inversely related. Expanding seating means a smaller fuel tank, which in turn means low range. Almost all of the Boeing 737 MAX family has better range than Airbus A320neo.
6) Configuration:
Economy seat configuration in Boeing, as well as Airbus variants, is 3-3. If you book business class air tickets for Boeing, you get 2-2 seat configuration.
However, Airbus maintains the same seat configuration in business class as the economy. No doubt the seats are better in business than the economy.
So, Airbus definitely has a slight edge over Boeing, while comparing the best products of each manufacturer. That is the reason that airlines are shifting to Airbus from Boeing. This includes companies formerly loyal to Boeing.
However, booking travel flight tickets of Airbus over all the time will be unfair. Both aircraft types have their own pros and cons.
For instance, Boeing’s Dreamliner features auto-dimmable windows, which is a great plus for anyone who likes to peep out of the airplane.
On the other hand, Airbus A380’s first and business class experience has no match. Imagine Etihad’s ‘The Residence.’
The Airbus and Boeing Duopoly
No other large jet airliner firm comes closer to these two. Airbus and Boeing completely dominate the market. Airbus is the best-selling jet airliner ever and Boeing the second. Behold the duopoly!
1) Products:
Both companies offer copious products. These range from wide-body aircraft to single-aisle. Airbus and Boeing also manufacture other designs that are combinations of capacity and other elements.
2) Origins:
Boeing started in 1916, way before Airbus which came to life in 1970.
| Airbus | Boeing | |
| Number of Deliveries (2019) | 800 (Company Record) | 806 |
| Best-Selling Jet Liner | Airbus A320 | Boeing 737 |
| Total Units Sold | 8,000 | 10,000 |
| Total Orders Received | 15,193 | 15136 |
| Operates From | Netherlands, France, and Spain | United States of America |
| Highest Range | A321neo (4,000 nautical miles) | Boeing 737 MAX 7 (3,850 nautical miles) |
Airbus Manufacturing Strategy
Airbus was able to receive more orders last year than Boeing. Their strategy of closing down Airbus A380 production, and focus on other variants worked well.
Airbus A380 is the largest airliner in the world. Therefore, its production cost is higher than other aircraft-type such as the A350.
Moreover, Airbus A380 sales were staggering. 40% of the Airbus A380 orders belonged to Emirates.
Emirates was able to purchase 50 Airbus A350 against 39 Airbus A380s.
1) Launch of A321XLR:
Airbus’ A321XLR is the largest single-aisle jetliner in the world. The launch of 321XLR was positively received at the Paris Air Show.
The aviation industry lacks such aircraft-type. Moreover, Airbus products are always high-quality. A321XLR received over 400 orders on its release.
2) Airbus A220:
The extremely fuel-efficient A220 features 149-seat configuration. Soon, six operators shall fly across multiple continents.
Boeing Expands Market in the Asia-Pacific
Boeing recently secured a global chain supply agreement with top airlines in the Asia-Pacific. This region operates more flights than the rest.
Moreover, Indian Airline Vistara welcomed the newest member in the fleet, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
1) Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner:
This variant is not only fuel-efficient but also seats up to 280 passengers. The aircraft consumes up to 20% less fuel than earlier Boeing variants.
Also, the aircraft was used for the longest-ever nonstop flight. Qantas flew from New York to Sydney. The flight duration was over 19 hours! This suggests the technical genius of the model.
So, what aircraft suits you the best? While booking airline tickets next time, be mindful of the aircraft-type. It gives you an edge over other fliers and makes you are a smarter passenger.
The aircraft-type is reflected in your search. Last-minute flight changes hardly take place. Therefore, you can enhance your travel experience by selecting the right kind of aircraft for you. Further, you can follow both manufacturers and decide the winner for yourself.