Have you ever looked up at an aircraft and wanted to know exactly what type of plane it was? Having already taken a look at the key Airbus and Boeing differences, we explore the important features for identifying the wide array of aircraft in the Boeing long-haul fleet.
The 767
One of the most easily recognizable features of the Boeing 767 is its landing gear. This is what often helps to differentiate between its similar-looking sibling, the Boeing 777. All variants of the 767 have four wheels on each of the main landing gear, in two sets of two. These ‘lean’ forward, a factor which is unique to the aircraft against the other Boeing long-haulers. The gear is forward tilted to help it fit more easily into the gear wells. It also allows its nose to pitch down more slowly after landing.
Another good way of identifying the 767 is by the winglets. These tall, blended winglets make the aircraft stand out. This type of winglet is unique to Boeing wide bodies. However, not all 767s are equipped with winglets. Further, the 767-400 is equipped with a raked wingtip design similar to the 777. This makes the unique landing gear even more important for visual identification.
777 — The Triple Seven
Again, the landing gear can be a bit of a giveaway on this one, with the Boeing 777 being the only one to contain six wheels on each main landing gear. The angular tail cone is also unique to the 777, with the left side of the cone containing the APU exhaust port.
Moreover, the engines are the main item on the Boeing 777, and in particular the 777-300ER. The Boeing 777-300ER comes equipped with GE90 engines, the largest and most powerful on any airliner in service. In fact, the GE90 engines are large enough that Boeing 737 fuselage can fit inside.
787 — Dreamliner
For the 787 Dreamliner, the cockpit can help set it apart. The Boeing 787’s cockpit blends in with the nose, contrasting with the other aircraft whose nose sticks out a bit more. The 787 features four large rounded windows in the front, compared to the six angular windows found on other members of the Boeing wide body family. The 787 also has larger windows in the cabin.
The 787 has chevrons—ridges which line the back of the engine—designed to reduce engine noise by smoothing the mixing of the air from the engine exhaust and the surround air flow. However, these aren’t exclusive to the 787, as they can be found on the latest variant of the Boeing 747, the 747-8. Although, these two are easier to tell apart. The Boeing 747 has 4 engines whilst the 787 only has two.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner also has a different (and brighter) beacon and strobe light pattern. The red beacon lights located on top and bottom of the fuselage and white strobe lights located on the wing tips stay illuminated for a longer period of time on 787, approximately 1 second per flash.
747 — The Queen of the Skies
Loved by nearly all, the 747 sticks out from the pack. Instantly recognizable by its iconic hump, the 747 is also the only Boeing wide body still flying with four engines. But what about tell the two main variants apart?
The 747-400 and 747-8I are the only passenger variants still flying. Between the two, the wing tips and engines are the most easily distinguishable features. The 747-400 sports canted winglets, which jut out from the wingtips at an angle. The updated 747-8 features a raked wingtip. You can see the difference between the airborne 747-8I and parked 747-400s in the photo below.
Just like the 787 (the same GEnx engines power both), the 747-8 has chevrons on the rear of the engine nacelle. If you’re looking for even more confirmation between the 747-400 and 747-8I, the -8I’s upper deck is longer with additional windows.
Visually identifying aircraft can be difficult, especially given the number of variants each aircraft type has, so it’s important to know that practice makes perfect. However, one thing’s for sure, you can always verify your work by checking Flightradar24.
Do you have a favourite way of identifying the different Boeing wide-body aircraft? Let us know in the comments below.
9 Responses
Thanks so much Sam!!! Really cool article. Keep up the good work!
the easiest for the 767 is the missing windows. It’s fat and short like a cigar. 757 is long and thin like a cigarette. 747, 777, & 787 are all obvious. For them it’s more determining the variants where things get somewhat interesting.
Also, to spot the difference between the 777-200 and -300 variants the -200 has four exit doors along the fuselage, whereas the -300 has five. Another way to identify the 787 in a crowded airfield is that it’s the only Boeing wide body where the top edge of the tail fin slopes slightly downwards towards the front end.
At night you can see what kind of aircraft, in general Airbus 320, 330, 340’s strobes flash 2x and Boeing 1x 737,757,767 and 777 de Newer aircraft like the 787 and A350 only blink so that is no option for the night. Although you would know its a next gen aircraft.
For the 787 Dreamliner the most important feature is the fantastic wing flex of the carbon composite wings. In the air it is easily recognisable as the wings bend upward. No other plane does have such upwards bend wings like the Dreamliner, in fact looks like an Albatros.
Great info , but the aeroplanes I try to identify are at 13,000 ft above me and wheels are not extended , how about a silhouette type display , looking up from underneath
Nice article but misses out RR powered variants.
I’m always looking at the wheels on the different planes. Gives me some more tools to use in telling the difference between the planes.
nice article, it got me into planespotting!!
(before i used to look out for aircraft registrations but now i also look out for different types:) )