Top Cool Commercial Aircraft

Top Commerical Aircraft

This page contains some of the best looking commercial aircraft ever produced. I have personally selected various commercial aircraft pictures from many sources so that you may enjoy the best of them. To save the picture of the aircraft, you can right click the larger version and select save. The page also has a brief description and/or history of each airplane. Please be patient, for this page takes a while to load.

British Airways 747-400
The Boeing 747-400 was the largest passenger aircraft in history until it was replaced by the massive Boeing 777-300. British Airways is one of the world's largest Boeing customers. British Airways owns numerous 747s in more than 5 configurations.: The Boeing 747-400 was the largest passenger aircraft in history until it was replaced by the massive Boeing 777-300. British Airways is one of the world's largest Boeing customers. British Airways owns numerous 747s in more than 5 configurations.

British Airways Concorde
The Anglo/French Concorde is the only successful supersonic aircraft in the world. Flown only by British Airways and Air France, less than 20 concordes were built. Concordes fly at more than 2 times the speed of sound and are all first class, being able to complete a transcontinental flight in less than 3 hours. Another supersonic airliner, the Russian TU-144 went faster and was larger. The TU-144 never entered service, however, because it consumed too much fuel, and because the Concorde was western-built.: The Anglo/French Concorde is the only successful supersonic aircraft in the world. Flown only by British Airways and Air France, less than 20 concordes were built. Concordes fly at more than 2 times the speed of sound and are all first class, being able to complete a transcontinental flight in less than 3 hours. Another supersonic airliner, the Russian TU-144 went faster and was larger. The TU-144 never entered service, however, because it consumed too much fuel, and because the Concorde was western-built.

American Airlines DC-10-10
The Douglas Company DC-10 is now an aging aircraft, but it has served its purpose well. It was designed to compete with the L-1011 Tristar. The DC-10-10 has been the flagship of American Airlines for 20 years, and now the airline is retiring them along with their modern counterparts, the MD-11, which is also a trijet that was built as an improvement to the DC-10. The DC-10 is becoming a harder airplane to see as the years pass, and by the year 2000, the DC-10-10 will be a rarity at US airports. Continental, Northwest and United still make use of the DC-10-30 and 40.: The Douglas Company DC-10 is now an aging aircraft, but it has served its purpose well. It was designed to compete with the L-1011 Tristar. The DC-10-10 has been the flagship of American Airlines for 20 years, and now the airline is retiring them along with their modern counterparts, the MD-11, which is also a trijet that was built as an improvement to the DC-10. The DC-10 is becoming a harder airplane to see as the years pass, and by the year 2000, the DC-10-10 will be a rarity at US airports. Continental, Northwest and United still make use of the DC-10-30 and 40.

Aeroflot IL-96-300
The IL-96-300 is the only western-style Russian aircraft. It is strikingly similar to the Airbus A340-300, having 4 smaller engines and winglets. The IL-96-300 is an improved version of the older IL-96, making it a successful aircraft. Aeroflot has a fleet of both western aircraft and Russian aircraft. The IL-96-300 has western avionics, making it a very reliable aircraft. The IL-96 is the replacement for the old Ilyusin widebody, the IL-66: The IL-96-300 is the only western-style Russian aircraft. It is strikingly similar to the Airbus A340-300, having 4 smaller engines and winglets. The IL-96-300 is an improved version of the older IL-96, making it a successful aircraft. Aeroflot has a fleet of both western aircraft and Russian aircraft. The IL-96-300 has western avionics, making it a very reliable aircraft. The IL-96 is the replacement for the old Ilyusin widebody, the IL-66

Eastern Airlines L-1011
The now defunct airline Eastern, owned a large number of L-1011's, or TriStars, manufactured by Lockheed, now Lockheed-Martin. The L1011 exists in a few variations, including the L-1011-500, or L-1015, the newest of the bunch. The bulk of these aircraft are flown by Delta Airlines, and some are flown by Royal Jordanian, Royal, ATA, and Nordic European, to name a few. The L-1011 has a revolutionary tail intake, combining the snake intake of the Boeing 727, and the turbofan tail engine of the DC-10 series. British Airways has retired their fleet because of the age of the airplane.: The now defunct airline Eastern, owned a large number of L-1011's, or TriStars, manufactured by Lockheed, now Lockheed-Martin. The L1011 exists in a few variations, including the L-1011-500, or L-1015, the newest of the bunch. The bulk of these aircraft are flown by Delta Airlines, and some are flown by Royal Jordanian, Royal, ATA, and Nordic European, to name a few. The L-1011 has a revolutionary tail intake, combining the snake intake of the Boeing 727, and the turbofan tail engine of the DC-10 series. British Airways has retired their fleet because of the age of the airplane.

Aer Lingus A330
This is an Airbus A330, painted in the very green Aer Lingus Paint Scheme. Aer Lingus is the official Irish Airline, and is one of the first to have the A330. The A330 is a high capacity, medium-range airliner comparable to the Boeing 777-200 or the planned 767-400ERX. The A330 has 2 high-preformance turbofans and winglets. It is very similar in apperance to the A340. The only external difference is the number/size of engines. Even the wings are the same. The A330 is not as popular as its Boeing counterpart.: This is an Airbus A330, painted in the very green Aer Lingus Paint Scheme. Aer Lingus is the official Irish Airline, and is one of the first to have the A330. The A330 is a high capacity, medium-range airliner comparable to the Boeing 777-200 or the planned 767-400ERX. The A330 has 2 high-preformance turbofans and winglets. It is very similar in apperance to the A340. The only external difference is the number/size of engines. Even the wings are the same. The A330 is not as popular as its Boeing counterpart.

Airbus A340 in House Colors
This is an Airbus A340, an extremely long range aircraft that competes with the 747-400, but it is not as large. The A340 has definitely given Boeing a run for its money, with operators such as Lufthansa, Sabena, Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, and Gulf Air. This aircraft has 4 small engines that enable it to fly those long distances. It has large winglets and looks just like the IL-96-300. The A340 is probably one of the most successful Airbusses ever created.: This is an Airbus A340, an extremely long range aircraft that competes with the 747-400, but it is not as large. The A340 has definitely given Boeing a run for its money, with operators such as Lufthansa, Sabena, Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, and Gulf Air. This aircraft has 4 small engines that enable it to fly those long distances. It has large winglets and looks just like the IL-96-300. The A340 is probably one of the most successful Airbusses ever created.

Southwest Airlines 737-500
Southwest Airlines has a fleet of only Boeing 737s. Southwest Airlines is a low-cost, no frills airlines that provides cheap, realiable service to many cities in the country. The airline has an incredible safety record, with no crashes. Southwest flies out of Love Field in Dallas, but must make many stopovers due to the Wright Amendment. The Airline is very profitable and rather popular. The Boeing 737 is also extremely popular, with over 2,000 built in 8 versions, with a ninth to come very soon. The 737 is a very popular short-haul airliner in use all over the world.: Southwest Airlines has a fleet of only Boeing 737s. Southwest Airlines is a low-cost, no frills airlines that provides cheap, realiable service to many cities in the country. The airline has an incredible safety record, with no crashes. Southwest flies out of Love Field in Dallas, but must make many stopovers due to the Wright Amendment. The Airline is very profitable and rather popular. The Boeing 737 is also extremely popular, with over 2,000 built in 8 versions, with a ninth to come very soon. The 737 is a very popular short-haul airliner in use all over the world.

Trans World Airlines 757-200
The 757-200, the only produced variation of the series with a 757-300 on the drawing board, was designed to fill a niche between the aging 727-200 and the new 767-200. The 757 is a large single-aisle aircraft with comfortable seating and open atmosphere, and has created a market for these medium capacity aircraft. American Airines operates a very large fleet of these, along with Delta, United, Aeromexico, Northwest and Continental. The 757 provides reliable service at medium to long range distances, and can be operated on transcontinental routess. Airlines like British Airways and Canada 3000 take advantage of the long range medium size capabilites of the 757-200, flying them to near-empty over the Atlantic.: The 757-200, the only produced variation of the series with a 757-300 on the drawing board, was designed to fill a niche between the aging 727-200 and the new 767-200. The 757 is a large single-aisle aircraft with comfortable seating and open atmosphere, and has created a market for these medium capacity aircraft. American Airines operates a very large fleet of these, along with Delta, United, Aeromexico, Northwest and Continental. The 757 provides reliable service at medium to long range distances, and can be operated on transcontinental routess. Airlines like British Airways and Canada 3000 take advantage of the long range medium size capabilites of the 757-200, flying them to near-empty over the Atlantic.

Midway Airlines A320 & House Colors A319
The Airbus A320 is the middle sized aircraft of the A320 family, consisting of the A319, A320, and A321. The A321 is the european answer to the Boeing 757, and the A319 was designed to compete with the Boeing 737 family. Boeing is developing the 737-900 to compete with the A320. This particular A320 is operated by Midway Airlines and carries the old Midway paint scheme. Many airlines operate one or more of the three variations such as Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air Canada, Canadian, Northwest, Royal Jordanian, and Swissair. The aircraft following the A320 is a house colors A319 completing another successful test flight prior to deliveries .: The Airbus A320 is the middle sized aircraft of the A320 family, consisting of the A319, A320, and A321. The A321 is the european answer to the Boeing 757, and the A319 was designed to compete with the Boeing 737 family. Boeing is developing the 737-900 to compete with the A320. This particular A320 is operated by Midway Airlines and carries the old Midway paint scheme. Many airlines operate one or more of the three variations such as Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air Canada, Canadian, Northwest, Royal Jordanian, and Swissair. The aircraft following the A320 is a house colors A319 completing another successful test flight prior to deliveries .

Saudi Arabian Airlines 777-200
The Boeing 777, or "Triple Seven" is Boeing's largest single-story airliner. It is a brand new aircraft, and more than ten airlines have placed firm orders to be delivered next year. The 777 is already operated by Cathay Pacific, Saudi Arabian, Egypt Air, United Airlines, and British Airways, among others. This purchase by Saudi Arabian is a step in the process to modernize their aging fleet. Saudi Arabian still operates DC-8, 707, and 747-100 aircraft for passengers as of this month, and they have purchased a brand new fleet of 747-400s, MD-11s, MD-90s, and of course the 777-200 to replace the aging one.: The Boeing 777, or "Triple Seven" is Boeing's largest single-story airliner. It is a brand new aircraft, and more than ten airlines have placed firm orders to be delivered next year. The 777 is already operated by Cathay Pacific, Saudi Arabian, Egypt Air, United Airlines, and British Airways, among others. This purchase by Saudi Arabian is a step in the process to modernize their aging fleet. Saudi Arabian still operates DC-8, 707, and 747-100 aircraft for passengers as of this month, and they have purchased a brand new fleet of 747-400s, MD-11s, MD-90s, and of course the 777-200 to replace the aging one.

Qantas 767-300ER
The Boeing 767-300 is the stretched version of the 767-200. The two versions are used heavily by American Airlines, Delta, United, and many other US carriers. International carriers like Qantas, Citybird, LanChile, and LOT Polish Airlines use these aircraft extensively. It is the smallest widebody aircraft series ever created and flies medium to long range routes. The 767 came out in the early 1980's and was the first aircraft to satisfy the needs for airlines that needed a comfortable international aircraft but did not need a large seating arrangement. Qantas operates many larger aircraft such as the 747 series.: The Boeing 767-300 is the stretched version of the 767-200. The two versions are used heavily by American Airlines, Delta, United, and many other US carriers. International carriers like Qantas, Citybird, LanChile, and LOT Polish Airlines use these aircraft extensively. It is the smallest widebody aircraft series ever created and flies medium to long range routes. The 767 came out in the early 1980's and was the first aircraft to satisfy the needs for airlines that needed a comfortable international aircraft but did not need a large seating arrangement. Qantas operates many larger aircraft such as the 747 series.

House Colors McDonnell-Douglas MD-11
The MD-11, the world's only modern large, wide-cabin trijet, offers a highly sophisticated flight deck and advanced automatic system controls. In service with customers in all parts of the world like American, KLM, JAL, Delta, and Varig, the MD-11 is available in four models - passenger, all freighter, convertible freighter and "combi," where passengers and freight are carried on the main deck with additional freight carried below the deck. An extended range (ER) feature is available on all versions. The advanced flight deck features six cathode ray tube displays & digital instrumentation. This aircraft can also land itself with all flight surfaces inoperable by using engine thrust. The MD-11 is one of the safest aircraft ever built with only 2 hull losses in 8 years, only one having casualties.: The MD-11, the world's only modern large, wide-cabin trijet, offers a highly sophisticated flight deck and advanced automatic system controls. In service with customers in all parts of the world like American, KLM, JAL, Delta, and Varig, the MD-11 is available in four models - passenger, all freighter, convertible freighter and "combi," where passengers and freight are carried on the main deck with additional freight carried below the deck. An extended range (ER) feature is available on all versions. The advanced flight deck features six cathode ray tube displays & digital instrumentation. This aircraft can also land itself with all flight surfaces inoperable by using engine thrust. The MD-11 is one of the safest aircraft ever built with only 2 hull losses in 8 years, only one having casualties.

Assorted MD-80 Series Aircraft
The MD-80 is a very popular alternative to the 737 for short range domestic flights. The MD-80 family contains the MD-80, the stretched MD-83, the shortened MD-87/MD-90, and the very short MD-95 now known as the Boeing 717 due to the takeover of McDonnel Douglas. The MD-80 series are commonly known as the Super 80, and are also known as the DC-9-80/83/87/90/95 after the original DC-9 variations. American Airlines has an incredible fleet of more than 225 MD-80/83 aircraft. Many other airlines have invested in these variations such as TWA, Delta, & Finnair, who all also fly DC-9 variations. The Super 80 series aircraft all have tail mounted turbofan engines with a tail exit stairway. All Super 80s are very skinny in appearance and are very efficient and reliable. I personally do not know of any accidents with this aircraft type. Of the three aircraft seen here, the first is a TWA MD-83, the second is a Delta MD-90, and the last is an American Airlines MD-80 ready for takeoff.: The MD-80 is a very popular alternative to the 737 for short range domestic flights. The MD-80 family contains the MD-80, the stretched MD-83, the shortened MD-87/MD-90, and the very short MD-95 now known as the Boeing 717 due to the takeover of McDonnel Douglas. The MD-80 series are commonly known as the Super 80, and are also known as the DC-9-80/83/87/90/95 after the original DC-9 variations. American Airlines has an incredible fleet of more than 225 MD-80/83 aircraft. Many other airlines have invested in these variations such as TWA, Delta, & Finnair, who all also fly DC-9 variations. The Super 80 series aircraft all have tail mounted turbofan engines with a tail exit stairway. All Super 80s are very skinny in appearance and are very efficient and reliable. I personally do not know of any accidents with this aircraft type. Of the three aircraft seen here, the first is a TWA MD-83, the second is a Delta MD-90, and the last is an American Airlines MD-80 ready for takeoff.

United Airlines Boeing 727-200
The 727-200 may be called one of the greatest aircraft in history. The 727 has been in use since the 1960's, and is still flying with many airlines such as Delta, American, Northwest, United, and many other US carriers. The 727 has been phased out in Europe due to noise and pollution restrictions. The airplane uses old turbojet engine and therefore many airlines that intend to keep them are planning to install new turbofans, but this requires a remodeling of the s-duct intake. For this reason most airlines will retire the aircraft and replace them with 737s, 757s, MD-80s, and A320/21s. The 727 was an innovative new design and it was efficient for the time because it had only 3 turbojet engines, which use a lot of fuel.: The 727-200 may be called one of the greatest aircraft in history. The 727 has been in use since the 1960's, and is still flying with many airlines such as Delta, American, Northwest, United, and many other US carriers. The 727 has been phased out in Europe due to noise and pollution restrictions. The airplane uses old turbojet engine and therefore many airlines that intend to keep them are planning to install new turbofans, but this requires a remodeling of the s-duct intake. For this reason most airlines will retire the aircraft and replace them with 737s, 757s, MD-80s, and A320/21s. The 727 was an innovative new design and it was efficient for the time because it had only 3 turbojet engines, which use a lot of fuel.

Pan Am 707-200
A defunct airline since 1991, Pan Am owned many 707s, the first boeing jetliner and the 720s older and bigger brother. The 707 originally had turbojet engines with water injection systems to increase thrust. This released a large amount of sooty black smoke and therefore the engines were replaced with early turbofan engines to increase thrust and quiet down the aircraft. A few 707s are still flying with some third-world airlines. The 707 allowed for transcontinental flights of 5 hours, and was a landmark in aviation history. American Airlines was the launch customer for the aircraft, followed by Delta and other US airlines.: A defunct airline since 1991, Pan Am owned many 707s, the first boeing jetliner and the 720s older and bigger brother. The 707 originally had turbojet engines with water injection systems to increase thrust. This released a large amount of sooty black smoke and therefore the engines were replaced with early turbofan engines to increase thrust and quiet down the aircraft. A few 707s are still flying with some third-world airlines. The 707 allowed for transcontinental flights of 5 hours, and was a landmark in aviation history. American Airlines was the launch customer for the aircraft, followed by Delta and other US airlines.

Japan Airlines DC-8
This Japan Airlines is an early DC-8, Douglas Company's answer to the 707. The airplane shown has the old JAL colors and turbojet engines, and is very similar to the 707. Unlike the 707, the DC-8 is still used, primarily by cargo companies such as Emery Worldwide, Airborne Express, and DHL. Some third-world airlines still fly this 4-engined narrowbody aircraft. Later versions like the DC-8-60 have turbofan engines and updated aircraft systems. JAL now owns a large fleet of 747s and MD-11s. JAL has a mostly Boeing fleet so that fleet commonality can be achieved. This DC-8 now resides in desert storage and may have been scrapped like most other old quad-jets.: This Japan Airlines is an early DC-8, Douglas Company's answer to the 707. The airplane shown has the old JAL colors and turbojet engines, and is very similar to the 707. Unlike the 707, the DC-8 is still used, primarily by cargo companies such as Emery Worldwide, Airborne Express, and DHL. Some third-world airlines still fly this 4-engined narrowbody aircraft. Later versions like the DC-8-60 have turbofan engines and updated aircraft systems. JAL now owns a large fleet of 747s and MD-11s. JAL has a mostly Boeing fleet so that fleet commonality can be achieved. This DC-8 now resides in desert storage and may have been scrapped like most other old quad-jets.

Egypt Air A300 & Swissair A310
The Airbus A300 was the first airbus aircraft. All airbuses have the same basic fuselage cross-section as the A300. Fed Ex & American Airlines have a fleet of these aircraft; American uses them for the carribean routes, and most European carriers have a fleet of these aircraft. This A300 is an Egypt Air in the old livery. The A310 is a shortened and rewinged version of the A300. It is a long range aircraft used by mostly European carriers, and has engines that are "toed" inward to balance the thrust on the airframe, including a higher technology cockpit and winglets. This A310 is a Swissair en-route from Zurich. The A300 is the first picture, and the A310 is the second.: The Airbus A300 was the first airbus aircraft. All airbuses have the same basic fuselage cross-section as the A300. Fed Ex & American Airlines have a fleet of these aircraft; American uses them for the carribean routes, and most European carriers have a fleet of these aircraft. This A300 is an Egypt Air in the old livery. The A310 is a shortened and rewinged version of the A300. It is a long range aircraft used by mostly European carriers, and has engines that are "toed" inward to balance the thrust on the airframe, including a higher technology cockpit and winglets. This A310 is a Swissair en-route from Zurich. The A300 is the first picture, and the A310 is the second.

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