πͺπΊ Airbus350 vs πΊπΈ Boeing777 βοΈ Widebody Battle
Since the 1990s, the Boeing 777 has been the flagship widebody aircraft for many long-haul carriers - valued for its range, size, and reliability. Airbus challenged this dominance with the introduction of the A350 in the mid-2010s, offering a lighter, more fuel-efficient alternative.
This comparison focuses on how these two aircraft families have evolved in production, operations, and fleet lifecycle ______..π« Let's go!
Foundations
So far the B777 series is manufactured more than doubleπ«
π¦ A350 -
π¨ B777 -
Delivery Timeline
Number of aircraft delivered to aviations per year. You remember 9.11 and COVID-19?
Aircraft Deliveries by Year
Airbus prioritized the A380 (four engines mega-jumbo) in the early 2000s, allowing Boeing's 777 (two engines and yet compact) to dominate the long-haul market. The A350 was launched later to reclaim ground with modern design and efficiency.
Current Operational Status
Distribution of aircraft by status. Over 410 B777s are "Out of Service" or "Temporarily Out of Service" π
Current Operational Status
Aircraft Age and Replacement Trends
Histogram of fleet age (aircraft currently in service or temporarily parked/stored). In the coming years, 100 or more B777 aircraft are expected to be retired annually.
Aircraft Age Distribution (In Service and Temporarily Out of Service)
Who Bought These Aircraft?
Boeing dominates the fleets of most U.S. carriers, while A350 adoption is stronger in Asia and Europe. Emirates stands out with the largest 777 fleet by far.
Top 10 airlines by fleet size
Regional Adoption Patterns
This map shows the number of aircraft adopted by each country, including those on order. Out of Service fleets are removed.
B777 vs A350 Share by Country
The A350 is widely used in North and West Europe and countries. Vietnam, Ethiopia, and China are using more A350. In contrast, countries like Saudi Arabia and Canada have adopted only the B777. Using a single aircraft type can simplify pilot training and operations.
Appendix
Data source: Planespotters B777, Planespotters A350
Data as of June 2025.