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For decades, four-engine passenger aircraft like the Boeing 747, Airbus A340, and Airbus A380 were central to long-haul commercial aviation. These quadjets offered significant range, capacity, and safety redundancy at a time when regulations required more than two engines for flights over oceans or remote regions. They became symbols of prestige for airlines and played a key role in connecting global hubs.
However, the industry has shifted toward twin-engine aircraft due to advances in engine technology and regulatory changes such as ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards). Modern twinjets like the Boeing 777, 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, and A330 are now preferred by airlines because they offer greater fuel efficiency, lower operating costs, and environmental benefits compared to their four-engine predecessors. As a result, production of quadjets has ended: Airbus stopped producing the A380 in 2021 and Boeing delivered its final 747 in 2023.
Despite this shift, there are circumstances where quadjets remain relevant. In Russia, geopolitical pressures have led to renewed interest in the Ilyushin Il-96—a widebody quadjet first flown in the late 1980s. Due to sanctions that restrict access to Western aircraft and parts, Russia is promoting the Il-96 as a domestically produced alternative. The Il-96 features four Aviadvigatel engines but lags behind modern jets in terms of efficiency and maintenance requirements. It is primarily used by government agencies or state-owned carriers within Russia.
