ARAviation Reference

Aircraft • Airlines • History

Know what you’re looking at.

Search aircraft specifications, learn the visual clues, explore airline fleet histories, and compare the machines that shaped aviation.

Find an aircraft Search 10 aircraft →Explore airline fleets Browse 5 airlines →
Boeing 727 showing its three rear-mounted engines and T-tail
Featured aircraftBoeing 727Why three engines? →

Aircraft identification and aviation history

Aircraft specifications, spotting guides, comparisons, and airline fleet histories.

Use the aircraft reference library to identify civilian and military airplanes, compare meaningful specifications, and trace the fleets that shaped notable airlines.

01Test your aircraft knowledge10 visual identification questions→02Compare aircraft side by sideSpecifications that actually matter→

Aircraft library

Start with a legend

Browse all 10 aircraft →
Boeing 727 showing its three rear-mounted engines and T-tailCivilian

Boeing

Boeing 727

Narrow-body jet airliner

First flight 1963Explore →
Boeing 737-200 with long narrow engines beneath the wingsCivilian

Boeing

Boeing 737-200

Narrow-body jet airliner

First flight 1967Explore →
JetBlue Airbus A320 in flightCivilian

Airbus

Airbus A320

Narrow-body jet airliner

First flight 1987Explore →
F-14 Tomcat banking with its variable-sweep wings visibleMilitary

Grumman

F-14 Tomcat

Carrier-based interceptor / fighter

First flight 1970Explore →

Fleet history

Explore the airlines behind the aircraft

Browse all 5 airlines →
01Piedmont AirlinesMerged into USAir in 198902Pan American World AirwaysCeased operations December 4, 199103Eastern Air LinesCeased operations January 18, 199104Continental AirlinesMerged with United; operating certificate combined in 201105JetBlue AirwaysOperating