Top 10 Revolutionary Commercial Planes

Kicking off our list is the plane that transformed modern air travel. Although utilized by the military during World War II, the Douglas DC-3 landed at number ten on our list for it’s then unheard of range and speed of over two hundred miles an hour, which changed the way people travel. Before the DC-3’s creation, the most popular form of long distance travel was the train. Thanks to its impressive specs, the DC-3 is credited with kick-starting the modern air travel industry.

After the Second World War, it became quite clear to aerospace engineers that jet engines were the way of the future. The next logical step was to apply that technology to jetliners, thus the Comet was born. Renowned for being the world’s first production commercial jetliner, it was hailed for being incredibly comfortable and relatively quiet for passengers. However, the Comet’s legacy was tarnished by flaws in the design, which resulted in several planes mid-flight destruction. Several redesigns later, the Comet is well remembered for its sleek look and game changing status.

With Airbus being a true titan of the industry, that company offered no shortage of potential entries for this list. For our number eight spot, we’re going with both the A320 and A340 models, as their flight systems are extremely similar, and the two planes really only vary in size. Utilized by a myriad of popular airlines, theseplanes have a huge place in the industry, and have flown countless travelers to the far stretches of the world. If you’ve ever flown overseas, you’ve probably been inside one of them.

The newest and hands down most modern plane on this list, the Dreamliner is a long-distance mid-engine jet that boasts some pretty cutting edge technology. Utilizing composite materials to cut down the plane’s weight and advanced engine design, the 787 is one of the most fuel-efficient long-distance planes flying today. The 787 also features a hyper modern cockpit, utilizing heads up displays to give the pilots info in real time, without having to take their eyes off the sky.

Although the Comet soared by first, it couldn’t compete with the popularity of Boeing’s golden boy. This was Boeing’s initial jetliner, putting the company on the map in a big way. The 707 became the first commercially successful jetliner, and is widely known for kicking off the era of modern jetliners, effectively taking up the slack where the Comet fell short. After a long life, they’ve basically been fazed out of commercial use. If you want a ride in one, make friends with John Travolta, who’s got his own 707.

By far, the triple-seven is the most popular long-range, wide-bodied commercial aircraft currently dominating the skies. Designed to fill the passenger capacity gap between Boeing’s smaller 767 and larger 747 models, this plane is one of Boeing’s bestselling models and is the first aircraft to ever be extensively designed on a computer. Also, if you’re flying first class, you can expect some pretty luxurious pampering. Let’s just say that you’ll come for the service, but you’ll stay for the legroom.

Who ever said size doesn’t matter? It doesn’t get any bigger than the airbus A380, the largest passenger plane in existence. Designed to go toe-to-toe with Boeing’s air titans, the A380 boasts a double decker design allowing for seating for 525 people going as far as 8,500 nautical miles. And, when set up with only economy class, this jet can transport more than 850 people. With the stats speaking for themselves, this jet-powered behemoth takes number spot number four with ease.

Coming up next is the undisputed workhorse of the air travel industry. It’s not the biggest, fanciest, or fastest of planes, but it gets the job done. Undoubtedly the best-selling jetliner ever, the 737 is used by more than five hundred airlines flying to almost 200 countries. With over 4,500 still in service, as you are watching this video, there are 1250 in flight. That means that every five seconds, a 737 either takes off or lands somewhere in the world. After almost 50 years, its service will continue with new and improved models well into the future.

Legend has it that an engineer at NASA once stated that building the Concorde would be harder than putting a man on the moon. That goes to show how difficult it was to build an airliner that could approach twice the speed of sound. Only one other jet was capable of this, but due to the Tupolev Tu-144’s short lived and dangerous lifespan, the Concorde dwarfed any hope of competition, as it successfully flew in service from 1976 to 2003. To this day, Concorde stands as an incredible engineering feat in the aviation world.

Before we take off with our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
- Bombardier Dash 8
- Boeing 314 Clipper

Although no longer the largest passenger aircraft, the 747 maintains an iconic status through its distinctive features and impressive history. Breaking new ground on its first flight in 1969, and entering airline service in 1970, the 747 was the original plane to earn the nickname “Jumbo Jet” and is still regarded as the “Queen of the Skies.” Recognizable by the distinctive hump near the front where it can house a first-class lounge or additional seating, the 747 has been seen in countless films and is a true symbol of modern flight.

Did you agree with our list? What passenger carrying milestones did we miss? For more Top 10s about the latest and greatest in engineering feats, subscribe to WatchMojo.com.