What widebody aircraft do you think look the best, and which ones are the worst? Here's my list:
=1) 747. What is there to be said about the Queen of the Skies that hasn't been said already? This is an incredibly elegant and magestic-looking aircraft.


=1) MD-11. Equally good-looking is the MD-11. IMO, the long fuselage combined with those canted winglets give it a sleek and muscular (as well as somewhat utilitarian) look.


3) A340. Very elegant.


4) DC-10. A bit stubby, but I really like how muscular and aggressive it looks.


5) A350. A sleek and sharp-looking aircraft, thanks to the futuristic nose, racoon mask, and curved winglets.


=6) L-1011 and 787. These 2 are very good-looking aircraft with some interesting design elements. The L-1011, while graceful and sleek, has quite a weird-looking tail area (S-duct engine, vertical stabilizer, and tail cone/APU). As for the 787 m, its wings and engines give it a futuristic look, but the cut-off nose is...distinctive, if not a bit awkward/ugly. The tail also has an interesting shape.



8) 777. Looks aggressive and strong, if not a tad generic.


9) A380. Ok, the Superjumbo is incredibly ugly, but having seen a few in person, I must admit that it looks very imposing, and its sheer size is amazing.


10) A310. Quite an underrated plane IMO. The stubby fuselage makes it looks very muscular and powerful.


11) 767. The 762 and non-WL 763 are a bit bland-looking, but all 767's have a "workhorse" look.


12) A330. Meh. It looks like a solid plane, but otherwise it's not that interesting. The ones with RR engines look especially bland. The NEO looks decent, except for those winglets.


13) A300. Again, meh. Nothing all that unique or special about its aesthetics.

1. 747
2. MD-11
3. L1011
4. DC-10
5. 777
6. 767-400ER
7. 767-300ER
8. A350
9. 767-200
10. A340
11. 787
12. A330
13. A300/A310
14. A380

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

5) A350. A sleek and sharp-looking aircraft, thanks to the futuristic nose, racoon mask, and curved winglets.

I look at the A350, regardless of whether it's on the ground or in the air, and I am just underwhelmed. Ditto with the 787. I suspect it has to do with the proportion of the engines to the fuselage. It just doesn't look as imposing as the DC-10/MD-11/L-1011.

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

9) A380. Ok, the Superjumbo is incredibly ugly, but having seen a few in person, I must admit that it looks very imposing, and its sheer size is amazing.

It may be ugly to you, but it's the last variety of "interesting" widebody aircraft. You had to be there (or watch it online) in 2005 to understand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN86aQ-w0bg

[quote=phatfarmlines]

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

9) A380. Ok, the Superjumbo is incredibly ugly, but having seen a few in person, I must admit that it looks very imposing, and its sheer size is amazing.

It may be ugly to you, but it's the last variety of "interesting" widebody aircraft. You had to be there (or watch it online) in 2005 to understand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN86aQ-w0bg[/quote]

I've seen it up-close, and I agree that it looks interesting. It's among my favorite aircraft to spot to its uniqueness and (relative) rarity, at least where I live. However, its ugliness still detracts from its looks.
I do prefer an ugly aircraft to a bland, boring one though.

(Rejected photo taken by me)

My Top 25 in order :

1. L-1011-1 / L-1011-500 ( what a masterpiece)
2. B-747-8i
3. MD-11
4. DC-10-10/30/40
5 B-747-400
6. A-340-600
7. B-787-10
8. A-350-1000
9. B-787-9
10. B-767-200/200ER
11. A-350-900
12. B-777-300ER
13. A-310-200/300
14. B-747-100/200
15. B-767-400
16. B-747-SP
17. B-777-200/200LR
18. A-330–300
19. B-787-8
20. A-300-600
21. A-330-200
22. B-767-300
23. A-340-500
24. A-330-800
25. A-340-200/300 ( looks horrible with those small hairdryer engines )

747 is my favorite. I appreciate most widebodies.


That said I find the 787 to be brutally ugly and boring.

Awkward hideous nose, and with its short landing gear it sits like a beached whale on the ground. Horrible proportions.

phatfarmlines wrote:

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

5) A350. A sleek and sharp-looking aircraft, thanks to the futuristic nose, racoon mask, and curved winglets.

I look at the A350, regardless of whether it's on the ground or in the air, and I am just underwhelmed. Ditto with the 787. I suspect it has to do with the proportion of the engines to the fuselage. It just doesn't look as imposing as the DC-10/MD-11/L-1011.

Fair point, although I tied the A350 with the DC-10, and the 787 with the L-1011, because they have a similar design "language", so to speak. The A350 and DC-10 are good-looking from any angle IMHO (with the DC-10 looking more imposing), and as for the 787 and L-1011, it depends on the angle, livery, and even the variant.

Kno wrote:

That said I find the 787 to be brutally ugly and boring.

It might be ugly from some perspectives, but I don't think it's boring. I find it to be the most distinctive "generic twinjet" when seen from afar (especially during takeoff/landing), and IMO its somewhat awkward nose and short landing gear give it character.

Kno wrote:

Awkward hideous nose

I agree that the nose is definitely awkward, and ugly from a few angles.

Kno wrote:

, and with its short landing gear it sits like a beached whale on the ground.

The short landing gear does make it look awkward on the ground, but again, it depends on the angle.

For example, find it to look ugly from this perspective...


But beautiful and sleek from this one:

Kno wrote:

Horrible proportions.

The only one that I feel is somewhat disporportionate is the 78X due to its undersized wings, but it's still quite elegant and (generally) good-looking.

Any wide body that isn't a 777 or 787.

Top picks would definitely go to the DC10/MD11, L1011, A340/330 and B747.

ACDC8 wrote:

Any wide body that isn't a 777 or 787.

I remember in another thread you said that the 777/787 don't really look like "true" long-haulers, even if they just flew halfway around the world. I agree, especially for the 787 (-8 and -9 in particular). Sure, it's a testament to how aircraft technology has evolved, but its looks definitely don't scream "ultra long haul"

ACDC8 wrote:

Top picks would definitely go to the DC10/MD11, L1011, A340/330 and B747.

Yes, except for the A330 (IMO), these are beautiful machines.

I think that the generic, blunt-snout 787...

...has the most beautiful wings of anything flying today.

1. L1011
2. 747 (8i best, SP worst)
3. A340
4. All twins.

I think the 787 suffers from the same problem many fighter jets have. Looks goofy and weird on the ground, but gorgeous in the air.

I always found the 77w to be a gorgeous but slightly menacing aircraft, particularly from ground level. Marshaling one in can be a bit intimidating. It’s tall, wide, long, very loud and really leaves an impression

Airbus 340 (300/500/600 are the best looking)
Airbus 330
Airbus 380
Airbus 350
Concorde
Boeing 747-400 (is the best looking)
Boeing 767
Boeing 777
1011 Tristar
Airbus 300
MD11/Dc10
Boeing 787
Ilyushin Il-96

747
MD11
DC10

rjsampson wrote:

I think that the generic, blunt-snout 787...

...has the most beautiful wings of anything flying today.

Yes, those wings are a work of art.

Mortyman wrote:

Airbus 340 (300/500/600 are the best looking)
Airbus 330
Airbus 380
Airbus 350
Concorde
Boeing 747-400 (is the best looking)
Boeing 767
Boeing 777
1011 Tristar
Airbus 300
MD11/Dc10
Boeing 787
Ilyushin Il-96

I can't believe I forgot about the Il-96. I love the menacing look of that one.

FGITD wrote:

I always found the 77w to be a gorgeous but slightly menacing aircraft, particularly from ground level. Marshaling one in can be a bit intimidating. It’s tall, wide, long, very loud and really leaves an impression

Wow, if I could swap jobs with you for a day! I cannot comprehend what it would be like to instruct (arguably) the most powerful propulsive machine ever built (not nuclear or rocket powered), to point itself directly at you, signaling "keep coming closer to me, closer, closer, closer...STOP!"

Yeah, that sounds pretty d*mn intimidating (and awesome).

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

I remember in another thread you said that the 777/787 don't really look like "true" long-haulers, even if they just flew halfway around the world. I agree, especially for the 787 (-8 and -9 in particular). Sure, it's a testament to how aircraft technology has evolved, but its looks definitely don't scream "ultra long haul"

Yeah, I don't know what it is - going to the airport to do some spotting and seeing a bunch of quad and trijets just had a whole different feeling than today's twins do for some reason.

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

Yes, except for the A330 (IMO), these are beautiful machines.

The A330 is by far my favourite wide body twin, its just got that classic Airbus look to it that I prefer, kind of a bigger A300 but thats just me. Not that much of a fan of the A350, but I do like it more than the 787.

Should have included the A310 in my list as well, its stubbiness is pretty darn awesome lol.

rjsampson wrote:

FGITD wrote:

I always found the 77w to be a gorgeous but slightly menacing aircraft, particularly from ground level. Marshaling one in can be a bit intimidating. It’s tall, wide, long, very loud and really leaves an impression

Wow, if I could swap jobs with you for a day! I cannot comprehend what it would be like to instruct (arguably) the most powerful propulsive machine ever built (not nuclear or rocket powered), to point itself directly at you, signaling "keep coming closer to me, closer, closer, closer...STOP!"

Yeah, that sounds pretty d*mn intimidating (and awesome).

Go on down to your nearest Int’l airport and there’s definitely a handler willing to pay you $10 an hour to experience it!

I joke…well, not entirely.

It was a great experience and there’s many things I’ve done through my career that avgeeks would love. It’s hard to describe feeling the ground shake while standing under an a380 starting up, or feeling the blast from a 77w turning past your gate.

L1011
787
A350
A340 (500 and 600)
A330neo
767-300 (especially the RB211 powered -336s)
A310
747SP
747-300
MD11
747-400
747 (100 and 200)
767-400
777-200
777-300
767-200
DC10

rjsampson wrote:

FGITD wrote:

I always found the 77w to be a gorgeous but slightly menacing aircraft, particularly from ground level. Marshaling one in can be a bit intimidating. It’s tall, wide, long, very loud and really leaves an impression

Wow, if I could swap jobs with you for a day! I cannot comprehend what it would be like to instruct (arguably) the most powerful propulsive machine ever built (not nuclear or rocket powered), to point itself directly at you, signaling "keep coming closer to me, closer, closer, closer...STOP!"

Yeah, that sounds pretty d*mn intimidating (and awesome).

I agree. It sounds like an awesome job!

FGITD wrote:

I think the 787 suffers from the same problem many fighter jets have. Looks goofy and weird on the ground, but gorgeous in the air.

Like I've said a few times in this thread, I think it depends on which perspective you're looking at it, but yes, as a general rule of thumb, it looks beautiful in the air and awkward on the ground.

FGITD wrote:

I always found the 77w to be a gorgeous but slightly menacing aircraft, particularly from ground level. Marshaling one in can be a bit intimidating. It’s tall, wide, long, very loud and really leaves an impression

Yes, the 77W looks quite menacing and intimidating. Must be really amazing to marshal one in!

The 747-400 brings back the most memories and has always been a favorite.

Hi,

Just a quick many thanks for the above reading and from here maybe just a few thoughts:

1. Definitely from my 90's growing up the "classics" like the 747-400, MD-11 and maybe not as obviously 767 I still like.

2. Regarding I think the Airbus A310 I have some nice memories of watching I think an A310 (or maybe A300) freighter of MNG Cargo sitting there for hours at ZRH every day in early 2000 summers. I always thought that it looked nice and peaceful in a way(!)

3. I actually quite like the look of the 777, A330 and some A340's. Maybe sometimes for me the livery can make it as well like Iberia and A340 for me...

4. For the A380 hmm well maybe yes was a bit flying whale looking sometimes but still I loved the huge wing and still do. Used to make me feel safer as a nervous flier...

5. But overall I hopefully still appreciate variety and hopefully my devotion to the classics can sit with that. And those huge Antonov Cargo planes even though I don't think I've seen one for real seem to me to look good. And finally although it might not qualify maybe a quick shout-out to the Airbus Super-Guppy? I heard they were or are now retired but that to me was a functional but obviously quite strange plane to look at maybe.

But anyway with many thanks again,

Ps762

747 Classic, perfectly proportioned, simply magnificent


L1011, a very close runner up, simply a great looking aircraft, much more aesthetically pleasing than the DC10, the fairing of the # 2 engine into the tail structure is particularly elegant

Max Q wrote:

747 Classic, perfectly proportioned, simply magnificent

Yes, the Classics (-100 and -200) are the best-looking 747 variants.

Max Q wrote:

L1011, a very close runner up, simply a great looking aircraft, much more aesthetically pleasing than the DC10, the fairing of the # 2 engine into the tail structure is particularly elegant

It's a good-looking aircraft, and I agree that the #2 engine is very nicely integrated into the tail. But personally, I prefer the DC-10 and MD-11 (at least for looks).

BlindMarshall wrote:

The 747-400 brings back the most memories and has always been a favorite.

For many years it was my favorite variant of the Queen of the Skies. I love those winglets. However I think that the Classics have much better proportions. I still really like the 744 though.

Tubular extrusions, one and all.

Hmmm a lot are aesthetic. There’s also not a huge list of widebodies compared to narrow bodies.

A330 neo
A340-600
787
747 any
L1011

To name a few. I guess also the 777… Moreso the -200. Super stretches aren’t always aesthetic, though the a340-600 is an exception.

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

13) A300. Again, meh. Nothing all that unique or special about its aesthetics.

I think it's unfair to call the A300 generic, as it was the first of its kind. In any case what followed it is more generic (A330, 777).

Hey guys,
1. 747-8 series, both models
2. Original 7E7/shark-finned 787 proposal, NOT the production model Dreamliner....
3. TriStar, models WITHOUT the extra fairing in front of the rear engine inlet....
4. 747-200
5. 747-400
6. Sonic Cruiser
7. A350-900
8. 777-300ER
9. 767-300ER with winglets
10. 767-200ER
11. 777-200ER
12. A340-500
Take care,
Bunumuring

1. Airbus A340-300
2. Boeing 747-400
3. Airbus A350 (both -900 and -1000)
4. Boeing 777 (all variants of both -200 and -300)
5. Airbus A330-300 TIED with Boeing 767

AtomicGarden wrote:

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

13) A300. Again, meh. Nothing all that unique or special about its aesthetics.

I think it's unfair to call the A300 generic, as it was the first of its kind. In any case what followed it is more generic (A330, 777).

OK, that's a good point. The A300 was indeed quite revolutionary back then. However, I still think that the A330 and 777, while not as unique in design, look better.

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

AtomicGarden wrote:

BoeingERJ1000 wrote:

13) A300. Again, meh. Nothing all that unique or special about its aesthetics.

I think it's unfair to call the A300 generic, as it was the first of its kind. In any case what followed it is more generic (A330, 777).

OK, that's a good point. The A300 was indeed quite revolutionary back then. However, I still think that the A330 and 777, while not as unique in design, look better.

no argument from me!

Just saw this thread.

I’ll say:

Of the twins:
787-10 (I think it’s definitely under hyped from a looks perspective. Best looking 787)
777-300ER (alternates with the 787-10)
350-1000
787-9
350-900
787-8
A330/300NEO (you know I must really hate its looks if I rank it below the 787-8)

Of the quads
747-8
747-400
A380 (impressive engineering, hideous aircraft)

Rogers99 wrote:

Just saw this thread.

I’ll say:

Of the twins:
787-10 (I think it’s definitely under hyped from a looks perspective. Best looking 787)[

Yes, it's definitely the best-looking variant of the 787. It's sleek and elegant.

Rogers99 wrote:

Of the quads
747-8
747-400
A380 (impressive engineering, hideous aircraft)

While all 747 variants look amazing, IMO the 744 is slightly better-looking than the 748, if only for the winglets. But again, the 747 overall is great-looking aircraft.
While I agree with what you said about the A380, I think that it's still an interesting & unique plane to spot, and I'd much rather look at an A380 than an A330, or even some of the twins that were higher on my list (787, 777, A350).

1. 747-8i
2. 747-400
3. DC-10/MD-10
4. 777-200LR
5. 777-300ER
6. 787-8
7. 787-10
8. 767-400ER
9. 767-300
10. MD-11
11. 787-9
12. L1011
13. A340-500/600
14. All other 777s
15. All other 767s
16. A350-900
17. A330-800/900
18. A300/A310
19. A340-200/300
20. Non-RR A330-CEOs
21. A380
22. RR A330-CEOs
(777-9 would be third if it was certified)