An alternative is certainly a useful thing. However, in some cases it is perplexing. Today we will talk about airplanes, or rather, about their most famous manufacturers and main competitors, such as Boeing and Airbus. It is possible to consider and try to compare these two machines from different points of view: economic, industrial, technical, innovative, even historical. However, for many travelers (and especially those who have practically no experience of flights), interest in this topic causes banal curiosity. So what’s better: Boeing or Airbus , how did it happen that there are two main players in the aircraft market in the world, and how is Boeing different from Airbus?
History tour
Competition issues between these global aircraft building giants bring us back to the 90s of the last century. The fact is that before this period in the world there were a large number of aircraft factories. Many of them were located in the USA (for example, the legendary McDonnell Douglas or the not so famous Convair), others - in Europe (British Aerospace, Fokker, etc.) What can we say, the Soviet Union, famous for its design bureaus Antonov, Tupolev, Yakovlev, was a significant player etc. But soon the situation turned. The USSR sunk into oblivion, which led to the complete collapse of the economy and industry of the once powerful and harsh country. Despite the fact that the production of aircraft An, Tu, Yak and others continued, the volume of exports fell many times as a result of the severe crisis. In those same years, European manufacturers are also experiencing hard times, which simply left the market as a result of a serious drop in demand. On this basis, Airbus was created as a union of European aircraft manufacturers into a single consortium. The Americans, too, could not stand the competition in conditions of reduced demand, and only two major players remained on their market: Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. By the way, the latter turned out to be weaker: the Boeing just bought it out and made it part of its company. Over time, these companies (Boeing and Airbus) only strengthened their positions, which allowed them to eliminate almost all competitors.
Who is more?
But the main question still remains - which is better: a Boeing or an Airbus? Fierce competition is very useful, as it allows you to constantly be in good shape and improve the quality of your product. And Airbus and Boeing really go head to head. Judge for yourselves: from 2005 to 2016, the Americans (Boeing) received 11,024 orders and sold 6406 aircraft, and the Europeans (Airbus) received 11,830 orders and 6456 aircraft. That is, the victory in this case is formally behind the latter, but it is so insignificant that it’s not worth talking about. Moreover, the parties constantly accuse each other of unfair competition, of receiving excessive subsidies from states and, of course, of artificially lower prices. Innovative solutions and attempts to get ahead of an opponent are a long-standing strategy of each company in an attempt to once and for all conquer the market. Let's try to compare the characteristics of these winged engines and the reviews of passengers in order to understand which is better: a Boeing or an Airbus.
Specifications (in plain language)
Of course, we will not dive headlong into this issue and get confused in complex terms and obscure numbers. On the forums of travelers or amateurs, you can often see a question in the spirit: “What's better, Boeing 737 or Airbus 320?”. Despite the fact that the range of both manufacturers is much wider, these two models are the most famous among ordinary people.
In addition to technical characteristics, aircraft differ even externally. So, the “European” is higher than its competitor, it has a rounded nose, and not a sharp, even tail and round, rather than oval, engines. At the same time, many aviation enthusiasts believe that the Boeing is still more beautiful and majestic, but here, as they say, it tastes and color.
By the number of seats, the Airbus is the undisputed leader: 600-700 against 500 at the Boeing. At the same time, the Boeing is 3 meters longer. By the way, Airbus set a record - the world's largest double-deck aircraft for 850 passengers. There is a duty free shop, a restaurant and even a shower! As for the distances, Boeing wins here. There’s nothing to say, transatlantic flights are mostly served by the planes of this company. But the “Airbus” has a larger wingspan, which allows them to win in speed, however, quite a bit.
Security
Anyone who is wondering which plane is better: a Boeing or an Airbus is safety in the first place. But here it is impossible to give a definite answer. For example, Airbus crashes 2 times less often, but Boeing is seen in fewer air crashes and takes the first lines in the ranking of the safest aircraft in the world. The Boeings also have a more elaborate emergency exit system: they are conveniently located and cannot be opened at high altitude during flight. But Airbus also has some advantages: the aircraft has a very reliable control system, and therefore the possibility of putting the airliner in fully manual mode is excluded. In any case, both companies care about the safety of their product and argue about which is better: Boeing or Airbus in terms of security - is somewhat incorrect and to some extent even pointless.
Economy comfort
Finally, comfort. This is the second item in importance after safety for all passengers. It is worth considering both aircraft from two points of view: economy class and business class.
Which plane is better: Boeing or Airbus-320, if you fly in economy? The answer is no. More precisely, both are good. Indeed, there are no obvious differences between the two giants of the aircraft industry, when it comes to the economy class cabin. Both there and there are not enough legroom. Both there and there a lot of attention is paid to service and maintenance, food quality and cleanliness.
Business Class Comfort
But what if you fly in business class? Which is better: “Airbus” or “Boeing 737” in this case? Here, Airbus undoubtedly wins. Compare: the Boeing of the German airline Lufthansa in the business class is equipped with a wide and comfortable seat that can be lowered to a lying position, as well as a small personal locker where you can put something. At the same time, everything at the Emirates Airbus is much richer and more: in addition to the usual wide seating-sofa and wardrobe, you can order private apartments, one of the two lounges, as well as a small SPA center with a shower! In addition, each sleeping place is separated from the aisles and neighbors by sliding "walls", which allows you to create additional comfort and privacy.
Conclusion
Thus, answering the question of which is better: “Airbus-A320” or “Boeing-737”, one cannot give a definite answer. Specialists who devote their entire lives to the study of aviation and aircraft construction may try to draw parallels between each individual part of the aircraft. You can also give a lot of arguments regarding safety and comfort, but all of them will eventually equalize the score of these two largest aircraft manufacturing companies in the world. It’s much easier to try both aircraft yourself and decide for yourself which one is better.