Explained: What The Codes Mean Behind Airbus And Boeing Plane Names

Commercial aircraft names are something most aviation enthusiasts will be familiar with. Indeed, almost all of you out there will know the difference between an Airbus A350 and Airbus A380. It would be another safe statement to say that those watching will know the difference between a Boeing 737-700 and 737-800. 

But what about the difference between a Boeing 737-824 and a 737-8CT? It’s all, or at least some, of these extra numbers (and letters) that we’ll attempt to decode in the following video.

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[spongebubatz]

What’s also interesting to know is that although both the base A321neo and A321LR can have an NX suffix, the A321XLR will get the suffix NY!

[spongebubatz]

11:05 it’s important to add though that the two NEO engine options also have their own respective number, so it’s not just the N! Aircraft, let’s say A320s, with the older engines can be for example A320-214s to A320-232s while NEOs can be A320-251Ns or A320-271Ns!

[geotrooper]

IATA codes can be a bit different from ICAO codes sometimes ... for example.\: As mentioned at the end of the video the code for Airbus A321neo is "21N" (ICAO the IATA code is "32Q"... Just a faq :)

Also in the Boeing Suffixes .... SP is also a suffix: "SP" - Special Performance, Boeing 747SP, a shortened version of the 747 with longer range :)

For Boeing, it was the “D” for the Boeing 747-400D. This aircraft model is specific for 2 Japanese airlines; Japan Airlines & ANA. The “D” stands for “domestic.” Also, I don’t understand why Boeing decide to go with “D”/“Domestic” instead continuing with the “SR” or “Short Range” just like to the 747-100SR. For Airbus, it is ether the “E” or “X.” Not sure about that, but it might include, usually to an A330/A340.

[Leeooooooo...]

Wow I thought I'd never understand the way these aircrafts are named, but this video put it so simply. Good pace, and lots of clarification on when confusion can occur when the manufacturer decides to break a pattern. Thanks!

[MSRTA_Productions]

This is what I need to know. Thank you!

[Elias-xykc]

For Boeing, it's usually because of the customer code, like United Airlines customer code for Boeing was 24, Saudia (Saudi Arabian airlines) customer code for Boeing is FG/68, Kuwait airways customer code for Boeing is 69 and so on. Ryanair has a customer code which is AS, it stands for *A* ir *S* tair, we all know that Ryanair have Airstairs fitted on their Boeing 737's. Airbus on the other hand, have different numbers that stand for the engine type or for the configuration of the aircraft (depending on the airline) like for instance, the A330ceo 'current engine option' has three engine options, the GE CF-6, the P&W PW4000 and the RR Trent 700. A330's with CF-6 engines are either an A330-302 or an A330-303, or for the -200 it's the A330-202 or an A330-203 and this depends on the variant of the engine. A330's with PW4000 engines are either an A330-322 or an A330-323, and for the -200 it's the A330-222 or an A330-223. And last but not least, A330's with RR trent 700 engines are either an A330-342 or an A330-343, and for the -200 it's the A330-242 or the A330-243. And for aircraft configurations, the A321neo for example can either be an A321-251 or an A321-271, this depends on the configuration the airline has chosen, so one will have 10 emergency exits while the other will have 8 only.

[stanp]

Great videos! Keep 'em coming.
Some suggestions for future videos:
1) how aircraft registration signs for each country are created;
2) how IATA / ICAO city codes are created ie LHR for London Heathrow but YYZ for Toronto;
3) there's a whole realm outside of the airlines known as GA, General Aviation - lots of variety in that.

[tanjiayang]

wow I actually requested this video some time ago. Not sure if its coinsidance or what but thanks Simple Flying

[mariano_buitrago]

As far as I know, the aircraft known as the “727-100” did not use the -1XX suffix. It was just known as the 727. Thus, the American Airlines variant was known as the 727-23, not 727-123.

[philippgabler]

There is no Simple Flying video where I had more aha moments than this one! Thanks for this video!

Ps. There are 757-200 PFs, those are planes that used to be passenger aircraft that were converted to freighters.

[rbleslie]

What about customer numbers? Boeing lists Delta Airlines as customer number 32; therefore, their 767-400s are listed as 767-432.

[edicant]

You missed out the designators for the A330 family. -203 is GE powered, -223 is P&W powered, -243 is RR powered

[Solidcancer]

Great video! 5:04 some carriers have dropped the word MAX because the name has a negative connotation with the public now after the two 737 max crashes and subsequent worldwide grounding of aircraft

[craigj]

Great video, you did a nice job presenting the info. One you missed was the 737-700/800/900IGW, IGW for increased gross weight, which is the Boeing Business Jet or BBJ.

[julosx]

When it comes to Boeing, I eventually made an Open Office sheet of all the Boeing three digits codes I could find. For instance, on FlightRadar24 I once noticed a Boeing 747-428, back to the sky with passengers, currently flown by Air Atlanta Icelandic. The code 28 at the end of the type number means it's a former Air France 747-400. AF was indeed the first customer that bought this aircraft before it was sold a few years ago.

[clementrono]

additionally, there are other airlines with specific manufacture codes for them. Example: Emirates has a standard manufacture code for their B777 abbreviated as ''B777-31HER''

[fearless_earther]

Very useful video ☺️! Have been searching for such a video for months) thx
Greatings from Russia

[StormTuber]

Thank you so much for this video, even after a couple years after getting into commercial aircraft, I only just learnt these things

[clementealfredoobrador]

I love these types of videos. I always wondered what some codes from my local airport's incoming and outgoing traffic meant. Now I will be able to understand better, and I guarantee I will use this knowledge to impress people too