Boeing is one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, with a wide range of commercial planes flying across the globe every day. If you’ve ever wondered how to recognize the different Boeing models — from the classic 737 to the massive 747 — you’re in the right place. Here’s a guide to all current and historical commercial Boeing aircraft and how to visually tell them apart.
1. Boeing 707 – The Jet Age Pioneer
- In service: 1958–1980s (mostly retired)
- How to recognize: The 707 has four engines mounted on pylons under the wings, a narrow-body fuselage, and a long, sleek shape. It’s rarely seen today, but its iconic silhouette paved the way for modern jetliners.
2. Boeing 717 – The Smallest Boeing Jet
- In service: 1999–Present (limited operators)
- How to recognize: Originally developed by McDonnell Douglas as the MD-95, the 717 has engines mounted at the rear and a T-tail. It’s a short, stubby jet designed for regional travel, making it the smallest commercial Boeing.
3. Boeing 727 – The Iconic Trijet
- In service: 1964–2003 (mostly retired)
- How to recognize: The 727 features three engines — one on each side of the rear fuselage and one integrated into the tail with an S-duct. It also has a distinctive T-tail. Very few are still flying commercially.
4. Boeing 737 – The World’s Most Flown Jet
- In service: 1968–Present
- How to recognize: The 737 is a narrow-body twin-engine jet with flat-bottomed engines (especially on older models) and a pointed nose. It has multiple variants:
- 737 Classic (300–500): Smaller engines, older design.
- 737 Next Gen (600–900): Sleeker winglets, updated cockpit.
- 737 MAX (7–10): Larger, more efficient engines with chevron nozzles and split winglets.
5. Boeing 747 – The Queen of the Skies
- In service: 1970–Present (slowly retiring)
- How to recognize: Known for its distinctive hump on the upper deck, the 747 is a four-engine jumbo jet. The latest version, the 747-8, has raked wingtips and is longer than previous models.
6. Boeing 757 – The Sleek Performer
- In service: 1983–2005 (still widely flown)
- How to recognize: A narrow-body jet with tall landing gear, long fuselage, and sharply raked nose. It looks powerful and lean, often used on transcontinental routes.
7. Boeing 767 – The Widebody Twin
- In service: 1982–Present
- How to recognize: A wide-body aircraft with two engines and a relatively squat fuselage. The nose is less pointed than the 757, and it’s often used for cargo and long-haul passenger flights.
8. Boeing 777 – The Big Twin
- In service: 1995–Present
- How to recognize: The 777 is a large, twin-engine aircraft with huge engines and six wheels per main landing gear. It has a rounded nose and no eyebrow windows. The 777X, its latest version, features folding wingtips.
9. Boeing 787 Dreamliner – The Futuristic Jet
- In service: 2011–Present
- How to recognize: The 787 has a sleek, curved design, raked wingtips, and serrated engine nacelles for noise reduction. Its windows are larger than any other Boeing model, and the cockpit windows have a smooth, modern contour.
Final Thoughts
From the short-range 717 to the globe-trotting 787, Boeing’s aircraft lineup spans decades of innovation and design. Whether you’re watching planes from an airport window or exploring flight data online, recognizing Boeing models is a rewarding and fun hobby. With this guide, you’ll be well on your way to identifying every Boeing in the sky.