How different are airplanes made for different airlines?

Question

Other than the interiors, such as seats, color schemes, etc., are there any other differences between planes of similar models? How customized are airplanes to a specific airline?

So, are they exactly the same?

Answer 1

There are usually different engine options for each model of aircraft. This is the only serious difference excluding interiors. Note, though, that engines constitute a very significant proportion of the cost of commercial aircraft.

Answer 2

The two largest suppliers of +100 seat commercial aircraft are Boeing and Airbus (they run neck and neck for deliveries) are very sensitive to customer's needs, and therefore offer a wide variety of custom configurations.

The airlines have a great deal of influence on how their aircraft are supplied from the manufacturer. Cockpit configurations, navigation systems, seating, cargo combis, and especially the engines can be specified by the airline.

For example, the most technically advanced plane in the sky today is the Boeing 777, and the airline can choose from engines from 3 different manufacturers: Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, and Rolls Royce.

Answer 3

For the most part they are exactly the same that way a pilot can go from airplane to airplane and know were to find things some of the software loaded into the FMS or flight management system is different from airline to airline but not so different that you can not quickly figure it out

Answer 4

Astapilot is pretty much right on.
As a former flight crew instructor for Boeing, one of my duties was to assemble the operations manual for the airplanes. Each customer has its own idea about what kind of instruments and radio schemes they want in the cockpit, and the knobs and switches are all custom provided to the customer specification.

As an intersting example, the overhead panel switches in the 727 normally are moved up and to the rear to turn (whatever) 'ON'... unless you're flying a TWA 727; they move forward and down. Possibilities for excitement abound..............

Answer 5

Beoing makes a most of the airlines for NorthAmerica but for the most part. The only other difference would be the fuel takes for lenghts of trips and computers and control in the plane. These would need to be uniform for each airlines cause the pilots wouldn't know where everything was. "Where's the landing gear?"

Answer 6

Airlines can ask for certain engines. Other components can come from different manufacturers.The shell is always the same though. I am an aircraft technician!

Answer 7

Nope, they're usually all made by the same manufacturer...Boing.

Answer 8

NO