Airbus vs. Boeing: Key Differences & Which One Is Better?

Frequent travelers have probably heard of Airbus and Boeing, but may not know how these two aircraft manufacturers differ. Which one is better, and why? Today, Gother will answer the question: how do Airbus and Boeing compare? Learn more about these aviation giants so you’ll know exactly what aircraft you're flying on. Before your next trip, let’s explore Airbus and Boeing together!

Airbus and Boeing are the two largest commercial aircraft manufacturers in the world, playing a crucial role in shaping the aviation industry. These two aviation giants have been fierce competitors for decades, constantly pushing the boundaries of technology, aircraft design, and customer satisfaction. Their rivalry extends to market share, with both companies striving to dominate the global aerospace sector. Before diving into the key differences between Airbus and Boeing, let's first explore what these two companies are and take a brief look at their history.

What is Airbus?

Airbus is a European aircraft manufacturer founded in 1970, with its headquarters in Toulouse, France. Airbus is renowned for producing technologically advanced commercial aircraft with a strong focus on fuel efficiency and innovation. The history of Airbus began with a collaboration between several European aerospace manufacturers from France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The primary goal was to create a competitive aircraft manufacturer that could challenge Boeing, the dominant American company that had long controlled the global aviation market. Despite entering the industry years later, Airbus rapidly advanced with cutting-edge innovations, becoming a formidable competitor and capturing a significant share of the commercial aircraft market. The first aircraft developed by Airbus was the A300, the world’s first twin-engine wide-body passenger jet. Over the years, Airbus introduced several successful aircraft models, including the A320, A330, A340, A350, and A380. Each model played a crucial role in shaping the commercial aviation industry. Airbus also expanded through mergers with European aerospace companies, forming the **European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS)** before eventually rebranding as Airbus, the name it carries today.

What is Boeing?

Boeing is a leading American aerospace and aircraft manufacturer, founded by William Edward Boeing in 1916. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Boeing is renowned for producing reliable commercial aircraft with a long operational history, earning the trust of airlines and passengers worldwide. The company’s origins trace back to William Boeing, who initially worked in the timber and shipbuilding industries before developing a strong passion for aviation. He started experimenting with aircraft design, eventually growing Boeing from a small company into a global aerospace leader. Boeing became well-known for revolutionary aircraft such as the 747 jumbo jet, Boeing 247, and Boeing 707. The company also expanded into space exploration, playing a significant role in major projects like the Apollo program. Today, Boeing remains one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world, producing commercial airplanes, military aircraft, and advanced aerospace technology.

Now that we’ve explored the history of Airbus and Boeing, let’s dive into their key differences. Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer, and Boeing, the American aerospace giant, have distinct design philosophies, technologies, and features. But which one is better? We’ve summarized everything for you let’s find out!
 

1. Aircraft Design

2. Aircraft Technology

3. Exterior Features

4. Flight Control System

• Airbus: Uses a Side Stick, a sidemounted control for pilots
• Boeing: Uses a Yoke, a traditional control wheel

5. Aircraft Monitoring System

6. Aircraft Models

Airbus

Boeing

Have you ever wondered which aircraft is more comfortable: Boeing or Airbus? Comparing the in-flight comfort of Boeing and Airbus planes is quite complex, as several factors influence passenger experience. Comfort is not solely determined by the aircraft manufacturer but also by the airline itself. Here’s why:        • Airline Configuration – Airlines have the flexibility to arrange seating layouts, seat sizes, and onboard amenities. Even if two aircraft are the same model, seating comfort can vary depending on the airline.
       • Aircraft Model – The type of aircraft plays a significant role in passenger comfort. Larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A380 or Boeing 747, typically offer more spacious cabins compared to smaller aircraft, providing a more comfortable flying experience.
When it comes to overall comfort, Airbus may have a slight advantage over Boeing. Airbus aircraft are generally designed with passenger comfort in mind, featuring wider cabins in certain models. Many passengers have praised Airbus for its more spacious seating arrangements, which reduce feelings of confinement and allow for greater movement during flights.

Over the past few years, Boeing has faced numerous challenges, with issues piling up one after another, significantly impacting its reputation and safety credibility. Some of the most critical incidents include:

Between 2018 and 2020, Boeing encountered one of its biggest crises due to two fatal crashes involving the 737 MAX aircraft. These accidents, occurring in 2018 and 2019, resulted in a total of 346 fatalities.

The first crash involved Lion Air Flight JT610 in October 2018, which crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia, killing all 189 passengers and crew on board. Less than six months later, another tragedy struck when Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302 crashed in March 2019 in Ethiopia, resulting in 157 fatalities.

With 346 lives lost, these two accidents became a defining moment in Boeing’s century-long history. Investigations revealed that the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) was the primary cause. The automated system, designed to prevent excessive nose-up angles, malfunctioned and repeatedly forced the nose downward, making it impossible for pilots to regain control. As a result, the Boeing 737 MAX was grounded worldwide for an extended period, leading to heightened regulatory scrutiny, severe financial losses, and massive compensations to airlines and families of the victims.

In 2024, Boeing faced yet another crisis when a door panel detached mid-flight on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. This incident raised further concerns about the company's manufacturing quality. Following investigations by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), substantial evidence pointed to serious flaws in Boeing’s production process and those of its suppliers. Additional incidents, such as bird strikes affecting Jeju Air and KLM aircraft and landing gear malfunctions, have also drawn attention. While some issues are not directly caused by Boeing, the repeated safety concerns have significantly damaged the reputation and trust in the Boeing 737 MAX.

Now that we know the global aviation industry is dominated by two major manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, let's take a look at what aircraft Thai airlines use.      • Thai Airways operates a diverse fleet for both domestic and international routes, including Airbus A320-200, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-200ER, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-8, and Boeing 787-9.
     • Thai AirAsia primarily uses Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 aircraft for its budget-friendly flights, including Airbus A320-200, Airbus A320neo, and Airbus A321neo.
     • Nok Air mainly operates Boeing 737-800 and ATR 72-500 aircraft for domestic routes.
     • Thai Lion Air primarily uses Boeing 737 models, including Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-900.
     • Thai AirAsia X operates Airbus A330 aircraft for long-haul international flights. If you've read through this article, you’ve probably gained a better understanding of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Now, you can easily identify which airlines use Airbus and which operate Boeing aircraft. While it may not be the most crucial travel detail, knowing what type of aircraft you're flying on can be interesting—especially for frequent travelers. The holiday season is just around the corner! Do you have travel plans yet? Whether you're planning a domestic getaway or an international adventure, you can check flights, book airline tickets, reserve accommodations, and find exciting activities all in one place at Gother.com. Or, for even more convenience, download the Gother app to book seamlessly. Book early and enjoy exclusive deals, special discounts, and complete travel flexibility—only with Gother.