Information
The Boeing 767 is sized between the standard-body Boeing 757 and the larger, wide-body Boeing 747 and 777.
It makes use of new-generation technology to provide maximum efficiency in the face of rising operational costs, while extending twin-aisle passenger cabin convenience to routes never before served by wide-body airliners.
The 767's design provides excellent fuel efficiency, operational flexibility, low noise levels and modern airplane systems, including an advanced all-digital flight deck. New structural materials are employed such as improved aluminum alloys and man-made composite materials.
Cabin & Capacity
Its two-aisle passenger cabin follows the tradition of spaciousness established by the Boeing 747, first of the wide-body airliners. Extensive passenger research has shown the seven-abreast seating concept is preferred by the majority of those surveyed, because 87 percent of the seats are next to the window or on the aisles. Center seats are only one seat from an aisle. Passenger studies also rate the 767 equal to the 747 for inflight comfort.
The 767-200 cabin, more than 4 feet wider than the single-aisle Boeing jetliners, seats about 224 passengers in a typical
mixed-class configuration (six-abreast in first-class, seven-abreast in tourist class). Many other arrangements are possible,
including up to 325 passengers in eight-abreast seating for charter flights in the -300.
The extended range airplanes typically have three-class seating of 181 to 218 passengers, using five-abreast 747-sized first class seats, six-abreast business class and seven-abreast economy class.
Lower-deck volume available for baggage and cargo totals 3,070 cubic feet (86.9 cubic meters) for the -200 and 4,030 cubic feet (114.2 cubic meters) for the -300, more than 45 percent greater than the lower-deck capacity of the 707 and more than any commercial transport in its class.
It is estimated that 767s have carried 795 million passengers on 4.8 million flights since it first entered service on Sept. 8, 1982. Schedule reliability, an industry measure of departure from the gate within 15 minutes of scheduled time, is nearly 99 percent for the 767. Fleetwide, daily utilization is more than 10 hours.
History
Production design of the fuel-efficient twinjet began in 1978 when an order for 30 short-to-medium-range 767s was announced by United Airlines July 14. The first 767, still owned by Boeing, was completed and rolled out of the Boeing plant in Everett, Wash., Aug. 4, 1981, and made its initial flight Sept. 26.
The 767-300 program got under way in September 1983. This model has a fuselage that is 21 feet 1 inch (6.43 m) longer than the 767-200, increasing seating capacity 22 percent (approximately 40 passengers) and the cargo volume by 31 percent.
Following the introduction of each model, an extended-range version was presented. To take advantage of their longer ranges and allow long, over-water flights, new features were added -- an advanced propulsion system and auxiliary power unit with high-altitude start capability, a fourth hydraulic-motor-driven generator, increased cargo compartment fire-suppression capability and cooling sensors for the electronic flight instruments. The 767 now crosses the Atlantic more often than any other airplane type.
Improvements
The wing is thicker, longer and less swept than the wings of earlier Boeing jetliners. This provides excellent takeoff performance and fuel economy. Each 767 is powered by two high-bypass-ratio turbofan engines -- selected by the airline customer -- from General Electric, Pratt & Whitney or Rolls-Royce.
767 - Aircraft Profiles - Aviation Resource Center
