Quantcast

Is Boeing's flagship twinjet larger than Russia's iconic quadjet

Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Emirates operates with SAF at London Heathrow Airport
British Airways Introduces Brunch Service on Long-Haul Flights
AirAsia FREE SEATS is BACK! - Book Cheap Flight now!
FAA Investigating After JetBlue Plane Skids Off Runway
Virgin Atlantic Offers Family-Friendly Holiday Packages
The Billion-Dollar Outlier That's Rescuing San Francisco Tourism
New Heathrow Security Rule Makes Packing Bags Easier for Travelers
Alaska Airlines Adding More Boeing 787 to Boost Seattle Hub
Ryanair cancels 170 flights, disrupts over 30,000 passengers on French ATC strike
What to Know About Travel to Europe During This Record-Breaking Heatwave
Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
FAA Drone Detection Testing
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
FAA Admits Uncertainty On Drone Numbers In U.S. Airspace, Raising Safety Concerns
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Is Boeing's flagship twinjet larger than Russia's iconic quadjet
Policy
Webp a3
CEO Kelly Ortberg | Boeing

The Boeing 777, first produced in 1993, is recognized as the world’s largest and longest twin-engine commercial aircraft. According to Boeing, as of August 2025, a total of 1,767 units have been delivered. In 2023, the 777 family ranked as the third-most common airliner globally and was the most popular widebody jet on the commercial market.

Among Boeing’s lineup, only the 747 surpasses the 777 in size. The Ilyushin Il-76, a Soviet-era long-range transport aircraft, is also among the world’s largest planes. It has been widely used for ramp-delivered cargo and is considered by Air Charter Service to be the most popular cargo aircraft in air transportation history.

When comparing these two large aircraft, their specifications reveal significant differences. The largest current variant of the Boeing 777 is the 777-300ER (Extended Range), which features a higher maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and increased fuel capacity compared to previous models. Aerodynamic improvements have led to a fuel burn reduction of 1.4%, according to Flight Global.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The Il-76 has also seen several versions since its introduction in 1971. Only two of its largest variant—the Il-76MF—were built with extended fuselages and more powerful engines for military use. Russia recently invested $584 million to increase IL-76 production from seven to twenty-four units annually with plans for civilian certification and exports targeting India, Iran, and Egypt.

In terms of dimensions:

- The Boeing 777-300ER measures approximately 242 feet in length with a wingspan of over 212 feet.

- The Il-76TD measures about 152 feet in length with a wingspan just under 166 feet.

The MTOW for the 777-300ER is around 775,000 pounds compared to about 419,000 pounds for the Il-76TD.

Both aircraft serve different purposes. The Il-76 was designed as a quadjet specifically for heavy cargo transport and can operate from rough or unpaved runways—a feature that makes it suitable for delivering equipment to remote locations or providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief worldwide. Its design includes features such as electric winches and hoists for loading heavy items efficiently.

Volga Dnepr Airlines owns several Il-76s equipped with specialized loading gear: “The freight compartment of the IL-76TD-90VD is equipped with two electric winches, each with a three-tonne hauling capacity. There are four electric hoists with 10-tonne total lifting capacity, which move on two rails along the entire length of the cargo compartment and six meters beyond the ramp threshold. It is possible to load through the cargo door into the main deck of the aircraft directly from the ground or from a truck. Volga-Dnepr’s specialist loading equipment allows a single piece of cargo weighing up to 50 tonnes to be carried on board.”

For passenger comfort, however, there are clear distinctions between these aircraft types. While military versions of the Il-76 are fitted with hard benches that offer little comfort during troop transport missions, airlines operating Boeing’s widebody jets benefit from flexible cabin layouts accommodating various seating configurations—ranging from four-abreast first class pods up to ten-abreast economy class seating—and an internal cabin width exceeding 231 inches.

According to Boeing: “Boeing claims that the 777 is the most comfortable aircraft in its class, with an internal cabin width of 231.1 when outfitted in a passenger configuration.” In high-density layouts like those found on some Asian carriers’ routes between major hubs, one version can carry up to 451 passengers.

As demand for air travel continues following industry recovery after COVID-related shutdowns—seen in trends such as airlines returning older widebody jets like Airbus A380s into service—the need for high-capacity jets like both these models remains strong [https://simpleflying.com/airlines-returning-airbus-a380/]. Similarly, ongoing global logistics needs ensure continued demand for versatile freighters like the Il-76 across Europe, Africa, and Middle Eastern markets.

In summary:

While both airplanes rank among aviation’s giants due to their size and capability—the Boeing model excels at long-haul passenger operations while offering substantial payload flexibility; meanwhile, Russia’s Ilyushin design remains essential for heavy-lift missions requiring rugged performance under challenging conditions.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Emirates Airlines has highlighted the evolution of its cabin crew uniform, emphasizing its commitment to timeless design and practicality.

Oct 23, 2025

Emirates has achieved the Gold Tier status in the 2024 Fly Quiet Programme at New York’s JFK Airport, making it the only airline to receive this distinction among all participating carriers.

Oct 23, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025