Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has been in commercial service since 2011. There are currently two variants -- the 787-8 and the 787-9 (pictured). Its unique jagged nacelle (engine cover) makes it easy to spot.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner —
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has been in commercial service since 2011. There are currently two variants -- the 787-8 and the 787-9 (pictured). Its unique jagged nacelle (engine cover) makes it easy to spot.
courtesy Boeing
The new generation Airbus A350XWB entered commercial service in January 2015. There are three sizes -- the A350-800, A350-900 and A350-1000 -- but the only one in service now is the A350-900. Plane-spotting tip: It's the only airliner with curly wingtips.
Airbus A350XWB —
The new generation Airbus A350XWB entered commercial service in January 2015. There are three sizes -- the A350-800, A350-900 and A350-1000 -- but the only one in service now is the A350-900. Plane-spotting tip: It's the only airliner with curly wingtips.
Airbus
Chances are you've flown on a 737, which has been around since 1967 and is the best-selling airplane of all time. It comes in several variants. To distinguish it from the Airbus A320, look at the nose. It's pointier.
Boeing 737 —
Chances are you've flown on a 737, which has been around since 1967 and is the best-selling airplane of all time. It comes in several variants. To distinguish it from the Airbus A320, look at the nose. It's pointier.
Robert Alexander/Archive Photos/Getty Images
The A320 is one of the world's best selling aircraft thus a popular sight on runways around the world. Its forward tail is straight and flush with the fuselage, unlike its short-haul rival, the Boeing 737, which has a V connection (see previous photo).
Airbus A320 —
The A320 is one of the world's best selling aircraft thus a popular sight on runways around the world. Its forward tail is straight and flush with the fuselage, unlike its short-haul rival, the Boeing 737, which has a V connection (see previous photo).
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The wide-body twin-engine Airbus A330 is primarily used on medium to long-range flights. It has a large wing tip and a pointed nose. It comes in two sizes -- the A330-200 and the longer A330-300 -- and has been in service since 1994.
Airbus A330 —
The wide-body twin-engine Airbus A330 is primarily used on medium to long-range flights. It has a large wing tip and a pointed nose. It comes in two sizes -- the A330-200 and the longer A330-300 -- and has been in service since 1994.
courtesy airbus
On November 28, 2005, Boeing wrapped up the 23-year run of the single-aisle 757 passenger airplane with the delivery of the 1,050th and final plane to Shanghai Airlines. There are still hundreds of them in service though. They come in two versions -- the 757-200 and the 757-300.
Boeing 757 —
On November 28, 2005, Boeing wrapped up the 23-year run of the single-aisle 757 passenger airplane with the delivery of the 1,050th and final plane to Shanghai Airlines. There are still hundreds of them in service though. They come in two versions -- the 757-200 and the 757-300.
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The 757 is often confused with Boeing's larger 767. Coming in three size variants, the 767 was the company's first wide-body twin-jet and took its first flight in 1981. Differences between the two Boeing families include size, nose shape and position of the front wheel.
Boeing 767 —
The 757 is often confused with Boeing's larger 767. Coming in three size variants, the 767 was the company's first wide-body twin-jet and took its first flight in 1981. Differences between the two Boeing families include size, nose shape and position of the front wheel.
TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Only the Airbus A380, the A340 (pictured) and Boeing 747s have four engines. Unlike the Boeing 777, the A340 has a conical exhaust vent. Expect to see fewer A340s in the skies as the years pass given Airbus stopped producing them in 2011.
Airbus A340 —
Only the Airbus A380, the A340 (pictured) and Boeing 747s have four engines. Unlike the Boeing 777, the A340 has a conical exhaust vent. Expect to see fewer A340s in the skies as the years pass given Airbus stopped producing them in 2011.
Airbus
The Boeing 777 family comes in two sizes -- the 777-200 and the 777-300. How to know you're looking at a Boeing 777-300? It's longer than other single-deck planes and has five doors on each side of the aircraft.
Boeing 777 —
The Boeing 777 family comes in two sizes -- the 777-200 and the 777-300. How to know you're looking at a Boeing 777-300? It's longer than other single-deck planes and has five doors on each side of the aircraft.
Courtesy Emirates
No prizes for picking this one out of the skies. In 2007, the four-engine Airbus A380 "superjumbo" took the place of the Boeing 747 as the world's largest passenger jet, first entering commercial service with Singapore Airlines. It's the only aircraft with two decks.
Airbus A380 —
No prizes for picking this one out of the skies. In 2007, the four-engine Airbus A380 "superjumbo" took the place of the Boeing 747 as the world's largest passenger jet, first entering commercial service with Singapore Airlines. It's the only aircraft with two decks.
Courtesy MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images
Sadly these beautiful birds will likely become harder to spot, with Boeing recently announcing their <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F02%2F01%2Faviation%2Fsun-setting-boeing-747-conversation%2Findex.html">manufacturing rate is to be halved to six a year</a>. The world's first wide-body airline, the Boeing 747 went on to change not only aviation but the entire tourism industry. Like the A380, it's an easy one to spot -- it's the only plane with an extra half deck.
Boeing 747 —
Sadly these beautiful birds will likely become harder to spot, with Boeing recently announcing their manufacturing rate is to be halved to six a year. The world's first wide-body airline, the Boeing 747 went on to change not only aviation but the entire tourism industry. Like the A380, it's an easy one to spot -- it's the only plane with an extra half deck.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images