Key Difference: Airbus is a popular aircraft manufacturing that is a subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. The company is based in Blagnac, France. The Boeing Company is multinational Aerospace Company and Defense Corporation that has its roots in the United States. It was founded by William E. Boeing in 1916. The difference also lies in front of the planes. Airbus planes have a curved and rounded nose, while the Boeing planes are round but slightly pointed. Similarly, the cockpit windows are also different; Airbus planes have more square windows that are in a straight line to the body of the plane. Boeing has designed the windows in a slight ‘v’ shape, which cuts of the windows’ corners to create a different shape.

Airplanes have always been a thing of interest especially with its ability to make people feel like there are literally flying. (See Airplanes Vs. Aeroplanes).It is also one of the most common phobias in the world, the fear of heights and the fear of flying. People have always been fascinated with flight and the ability to fly like birds and soar the skies. These interests resulted in many people testing with kites, gliders and other devices that would allow humans to take flight. The real breakthrough came with the introduction of self-propelled airplanes with engines invented by the Wright brothers. Since, the launch of the first plane, many different types of planes have been introduced and the current market is being dominated by two big companies. Airbus and Boeing are two popular companies that dominate the current sale of airplanes in the market. These two companies differ from each other in many ways including the design of their airplanes.

Airbus is a popular aircraft manufacturing that is a subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. The company is based in Blagnac, France and is responsible for the sale of almost half of the world’s jetliners. Airbus initially began as a consortium of aerospace manufacturers and later evolved to a joint stock company in 2001. The two main stock holding companies include EADS and BAE Systems, a defensive systems company. The first airliner produced and marketed by the company was the A300. In addition to marketing jetliners, the company also produces military aircraft, airplane parts, and defense systems. The company has also joined other airway companies in an attempt to reduce carbon footprint by trying to develop a biofuel that can be used in planes. The name Airbus has become synonymous with air crafts in many places.

Also see: Difference between business class and first class flights

The Boeing Company is multinational Aerospace Company and Defense Corporation that has its roots in the United States. It was founded by William E. Boeing in 1916 in Washington. In 1997, the company merged with McDonnell Douglas in an attempt to expand ties and business. The Boeing Company is made up of multiple divisions: Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA); Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS); Engineering, Operations & Technology; Boeing Capital; and Boeing Shared Services Group. It is one of the largest global aircraft manufacturers and the second-largest aerospace and defense contractor in the world in 2011. William Boeing, a veteran in the timber industry, used his knowledge of wood to design and build airplanes. The company received its major order when it approached the US government to provide it seaplanes during World War I.

Both the companies have become synonymous with airplanes and together they deliver the most airplanes, with major airline companies running their planes. There is also a major difference between the companies’ planes and how they are designed. The easiest way to tell the planes apart is by checking the lower half of the body for the company’s name. It should usually mention if it is a Boeing or an Airbus. Another difference also lies in front of the planes. Airbus planes have a curved and rounded nose, while the Boeing planes are round but slightly pointed. Similarly, the cockpit windows are also different; Airbus planes have more square windows that are in a straight line to the body of the plane. Boeing has designed the windows in a slight ‘v’ shape, which cuts of the windows’ corners to create a different shape.

Other differences include engine placement, where Airbus generally places the engines under the wings, while Boeing mounts them on the forward of the wing. However, this placement changes depending on the design of the planes. One major difference is the electronics that are used in the planes. Airbus planes are controlled using sidestick, this is similar to a joystick that is used to play computer games. Boeing uses a central yoke and has a steering wheel design that is used as the main controller. Airbus also has incorporated hard protection using the fly by wire systems. This means that the system of the planes cannot be overrun. The pilot cannot assume full control of the system and do something drastic such as stall it, overstress the airframe, etc. In Boeing, the pilot can perform all these functions by simply overriding the pilot system. The controls in Boeing also have feedback or feels, which are missing in Airbus controls. Boeings can be stalled, flown beyond airframe limits, etc. if the pilot ignores warnings.

Image Courtesy: planes.findthebest.com, wired.com