Boeing names its jet airliners with numbers in the 700 series, from the 707 to the 787, and adds a dash number for each size, such as 787-9. Airbus uses an “A3x0” pattern, from the A300 to the A380, and adds a model code that shows the series and the engine, such as A320-251N.
Those names hide a lot of useful information. This guide explains how both makers name their aircraft, what codes such as neo, MAX, ER and A320-251N mean, and how to read the full model name you see on a seat card or a flight-tracking app.
How Boeing Names Its Aircraft
Why every Boeing jet starts and ends with 7
Boeing gives each design a model number. According to Aerospaceweb, its propeller airliners had used 300-series numbers, while the 400, 500 and 600 series were taken by other products, including turbine engines and missiles. When Boeing turned its jet prototype, the Model 367-80 or “Dash 80”, into an airliner, it moved to the 700 series and called it the 707.
Every Boeing jet airliner since has followed the 7×7 pattern: the 717, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777 and 787.
The dash number: size or series
The number after the dash shows the version. For the 787 it shows the length: the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 (see our 787-9 vs 787-10 comparison). For older models it showed the series, such as the 777-200 and 777-300, with letters for longer range: ER for Extended Range, as in the 777-300ER, and LR for Longer Range, as in the 777-200LR.
737 MAX 8 or 737-8?
“MAX” is a marketing name. In Boeing’s airport planning documents the aircraft are simply the 737-7, 737-8, 737-9 and 737-10, which is why some airlines and documents write 737-8 instead of 737 MAX 8. The 777X family works the same way: its models are the 777-8 and the 777-9.
Customer codes: 777-31H, 777-337ER
For decades, Boeing added a two-character customer code to the model number to show which airline ordered the aircraft. Emirates’ code is 1H, so its 777-300ERs were built as 777-31H(ER). Air India’s code is 37, so its 777-300ERs are 777-337ERs.
Boeing later stopped using customer codes. The 787 was the first Boeing type built without them, and the 737 MAX and 777X never had them. Older aircraft keep their codes for life, even after they are sold. You can look codes up in this list of Boeing customer codes.
How Airbus Names Its Aircraft
The A3x0 pattern
Airbus’s first aircraft was the A300, and later models followed the same pattern: A310, A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380. Smaller and larger versions of a family use nearby numbers, such as the A318, A319, A320 and A321, which are all members of the A320 family of narrowbody aircraft.
Airbus has not officially explained why it jumped from the A350 to the A380. A common explanation is that the number 8 is considered lucky in many Asian markets and its shape suggests the aircraft’s two decks.
neo and ceo
neo stands for “new engine option”. The A320neo and A330neo families are updated versions with new, more efficient engines. The older versions are now called ceo, for “current engine option”. EASA’s A320 family type certificate lists “A320 NEO” and “A320 CEO” as commercial names covering the official models.
XWB, LR and XLR
- A350 XWB: Extra Wide Body, Airbus’s marketing name for the A350 family.
- A321LR: Long Range, a version of the A321neo with extra fuel.
- A321XLR: Extra Long Range, with a new fuel tank for even longer flights.
The A220: a renamed Bombardier
The A220 breaks the pattern because Airbus did not design it. Bombardier developed it as the C Series, and Airbus renamed the C Series the A220 in July 2018 after taking control of the programme. The CS100 became the A220-100 and the CS300 became the A220-300.
How to Read an Airbus Model Code
Every Airbus aircraft also has an official model code, listed in its type certificate. The A320 family codes follow a clear pattern, based on EASA’s A320 family type certificate:
| Model code | Commercial name | Engines (per EASA) |
|---|---|---|
| A320-214 | A320ceo | CFM56-5B4 |
| A320-232 | A320ceo | IAE V2527-A5 |
| A320-251N | A320neo | CFM LEAP-1A26 |
| A320-271N | A320neo | PW1127G-JM geared turbofan |
| A321-251NX / -271NX | A321neo (Airbus Cabin Flex) | CFM LEAP / Pratt & Whitney GTF |
| A321-253NY | A321XLR | CFM LEAP |
- First digit after the dash: the series, for example 2 for the A320-200.
- Second digit: the engine maker. On the neo, 5 means CFM LEAP and 7 means Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan. On the ceo, 1 means CFM56 and 3 means IAE V2500.
- Third digit: the exact engine version or thrust rating.
- Letters at the end: N for neo, NX for the A321neo with Airbus Cabin Flex, and NY for the A321XLR.
So an IndiGo A320neo shown as A320-251N is an A320-200 series aircraft with CFM LEAP-1A26 engines. Widebodies follow a similar idea: EASA’s A350 type certificate lists the A350-900 as the A350-941 and the A350-1000 as the A350-1041.
Quick Guide to Common Aircraft Names
| Name | Maker | What the name tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 737-8 (737 MAX 8) | Boeing | 737 family, MAX generation, size 8 |
| 777-300ER | Boeing | 777 family, 300 series, Extended Range |
| 787-9 | Boeing | 787 family, middle length |
| A320neo / A320-251N | Airbus | A320 family, new engine option, CFM engines |
| A321XLR / A321-253NY | Airbus | A321 family, Extra Long Range |
| A350-1000 / A350-1041 | Airbus | A350 family, larger version |
| A220-300 | Airbus | Former Bombardier CS300 |
For how the most popular pair compares, see our A320neo vs 737 MAX 8 guide. For the bigger jets, see A350-1000 vs 777-9, and for the end of the four-engine A340 and A380, our analysis of the switch to twin-engine jets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Boeing planes named 7×7?
Boeing gave its jet airliners model numbers in the 700 series. Its earlier propeller aircraft used 300-series numbers, and the 400, 500 and 600 series were used for other products, so the first jet airliner became the 707. Later jets followed the same pattern: 717, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777 and 787.
What does neo mean in A320neo?
Neo stands for “new engine option”. The A320neo family uses new CFM LEAP or Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. The earlier version is now called the A320ceo, for “current engine option”.
What does A320-251N mean?
It is the official model of an A320neo. The 2 means series 200, the 5 means CFM LEAP engines, the 1 is the engine version (LEAP-1A26), and N means neo. An A320neo with Pratt & Whitney engines is an A320-271N.
What does A320-214 mean?
A320-214 is a model of the earlier A320ceo. According to EASA, it has CFM International CFM56-5B4 engines. An A320-232 has IAE V2527-A5 engines instead.
What does MAX 8 mean in Boeing 737 MAX 8?
MAX is the marketing name of the latest 737 family, and 8 is the size. Boeing’s official model name is the 737-8. The family also includes the 737-7, 737-9 and 737-10.
What does the 8 in A380 mean?
Airbus has not given an official explanation. Commonly cited reasons are that the number 8 is considered lucky in many Asian markets and that its shape looks like the aircraft’s two decks.
What do ER, LR and XLR mean?
They describe range. Boeing uses ER for Extended Range (777-300ER) and LR for Longer Range (777-200LR). Airbus uses LR for Long Range and XLR for Extra Long Range (A321XLR).
Why is the A220 called an Airbus when Bombardier designed it?
Bombardier designed it as the C Series. After Airbus took control of the programme in 2018, it renamed the CS100 and CS300 as the A220-100 and A220-300.
Featured image: FlyingFuel composite of photos by kitmasterbloke (CC BY 2.0) and BWard 1997 (CC BY 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.