The modern world is impossible to imagine without traveling through the air. Aircraft have long become an integral part of people's lives. Indeed, thanks to this transport, you can easily find yourself anywhere in the world in a matter of hours. Over the past decades, aircraft designers have made significant progress in their field and now several hundred aircraft models from different families are storming the sky. The most popular of them are Boeing and Airbus. Each Russian airline has several similar aircraft in its fleet. Specialists are well aware of all the pros and cons of these airliners, but passengers are not always able to understand how the Boeing differs from the Airbus. In our article, we will conduct a comparative analysis of both aircraft and try to find out which aircraft is the safest.
A few words about the company that produces Boeing
A comparison of Boeing and Airbus can begin with the history of the companies that produce these aircraft. In it you can see the first differences of one aircraft from another.
The Boeing company last year (data for 2017) celebrated its centenary. It has been operating since 1916 and boasts that it was her airliner that made the first flight in the world. The company is an American brainchild, therefore, in addition to the design and manufacture of aircraft, it is engaged in scientific research and space technology.
It is noteworthy that in the early years the working team of the company consisted not only of managers and engineers, but also of carpenters and dressmakers. They were an integral part of the team, since in those days it was impossible to make wings for aircraft without seamstresses. After all, they were sewn from special fabric, and many details of the aircraft were cut out of wood.
During the years of the economic crisis, the Boeing company produced items that were far from the aircraft industry — boats, clothes, and so on. This allowed the company to overcome difficult times and stay afloat. Now it is a recognized leader in aircraft design and has already produced over four thousand aircraft over the past ten years.
Airbus Company: History
The world first heard about this company in the seventies of the last century, when it was formed through the merger of several small airlines. Four years after the formation, the first air liner under the Airbus brand was sent to the sky.
Literally from the very first days of its existence, the company received about ten thousand orders for its aircraft models and was able to fulfill them almost completely. In a few years, Airbus managed to quickly become a leader in Europe and a real competitor to the oldest Boeing company in the world.
It is noteworthy that the European company is considered international. This is due to the fact that its owners are four states - France, Germany, Great Britain and Spain. And many parts for airliners are made in Asian countries.
It is known that "Airbus" develops and produces not only passenger aircraft, but also works closely with the military industry, creating equipment for the army. An important role in the production of the company is played by industrial transportation. For these purposes, models of transport aircraft were created.
So how is the Boeing different from the Airbus? Let's make a comparison of the main parameters that will be of interest to the reader.
The popularity of aircraft
The specialists of one and the other company are very zealously watching their ratings. They are ready for hours to tell how the Boeing differs from the Airbus, and to praise their own aircraft models. But dry statistics speaks for itself - Airbuses were able to occupy their niche in the world market, and their share is fifty and a half percent. And on the account of the Boeings, a different share - forty-nine and a half percent.
Based on the above data, we can confidently say that airlines prefer to buy for themselves exactly "Airbus". However, the difference in the percentage ratio between the two leaders is not too large, so the Boeing company has every chance to become more popular and attractive in the world market.
Visual differences
Aircraft designers at a glance will determine the external differences between aircraft of one brand from another. For this, one photo of the Boeing and the Airbus, placed side by side, will be enough.
The main differences can be listed in six paragraphs of the list:
- The Boeing has a pointed nose, while the Airbus boasts a rounded and more streamlined nose.
- From the photo of the Boeing one can understand that it is much lower than the Airbus.
- The tail of the first aircraft has a slight bend, and the second - it is absolutely straight.
- Boeing engines have an elongated shape, tending to an oval. The Airbus is equipped with completely round engines.
- The cockpit in each aircraft also has its own visual features. For example, the Airbus is characterized by absolutely straight side windows without additional sections. The Boeing’s cockpit has narrowed windows on the sides, divided into several sections.
- The chassis of the Airbus are pulled vertically into the special compartments, while the Boeing has a special mechanism for this, which folds the chassis and removes them in this position.
Of course, we listed only the main differences between the two airliners. Specialists can name them several hundred, but for the average person our list is enough to determine exactly which aircraft is in front of him.
Which plane is bigger - Boeing or Airbus?
Naturally, buyers are primarily interested in which one of the two airliners is the largest. Indeed, the number of passenger seats and the airline’s profit depend on this. Which plane is bigger - Boeing or Airbus?
According to these parameters, the Airbus undoubtedly wins. Given one class, he can take on board seven hundred passengers, Boeing - only five hundred.
However, the latest model is longer than the “Airbus” by almost three and a half meters. But nevertheless, the largest double-deck aircraft belongs to a European company, the airliner accommodates almost nine hundred passengers at a time.
Which airplane is safer - Boeing or Airbus?
This question is quite difficult to answer even to specialists in the field of aircraft manufacturing. It is impossible to compare two aircraft of different classes. In this case, the results will be biased and cannot be taken into account as official data.
If you believe the statistics, then we can say that the "Airbus" crash much less often than the "Boeing". But does this indicate their safety? Engineers say no. In order to conduct a comparative analysis of the reliability and safety of aircraft, it is necessary to take two airliners of the same class and determine the evaluation criteria. Surprisingly, with this approach, it will not be possible to identify the winner. For example, Boeings have more conveniently located emergency exits, and Airbuses have an automatic system that does not allow pilots to completely take control.
Distances
Airlines that operate along numerous trans-trunk routes prefer to buy Boeings for themselves. They are able to quickly overcome the greatest distances. Airbuses are designed for flights over less significant distances.
Comparison of passenger compartment class
Economy class passengers will not feel much difference when traveling on the planes of a company. But with an increase in the flight class, the difference can be significant.
In some Airbus airliners, business passengers have separate apartments, can take a shower, while in other models the cabin is divided into two separate comfortable rooms.
In Boeings, business-class salons have more modest equipment and are distinguished by only a few technological innovations and an increased level of comfort compared to the economy.
How is the Boeing different from the Airbus? We think that now you can easily answer this question. And you will be able to choose exactly the plane for your air travel that is most suitable for you and your family.