Boeing 767-200

Boeing 767-200
Name	Boeing 767-200
Type	Wide-body twinjet airliner
Manufacturer	Boeing Commercial Airplanes
First flight	September 26, 1981
Introduced	September 8, 1982
Status	In service

Boeing 767-200 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the late 1970s and early 1980s to serve medium- to long-haul routes, complementing the Boeing 747, Boeing 737, and Boeing 727 families. The type entered service with United Airlines in 1982 and influenced twinjet long-haul operations alongside contemporaries such as the Airbus A300, McDonnell Douglas MD-11, and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. Its twin-engine layout and two-aisle cabin contributed to changes in route planning for carriers like American Airlines, Japan Airlines, and British Airways.

Development

The 767-200 originated from market studies by Boeing executives and design teams collaborating with suppliers such as Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, and Rolls-Royce plc to develop engines for the new platform; programs with PW4000, CF6, and RB211 families were integral. The program was announced alongside the narrower Boeing 757 as a two-aisle complement in a coordinated development strategy, with formal launch decisions influenced by airline customers including United Airlines, American Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, and All Nippon Airways. The prototype conducted its maiden flight on September 26, 1981, in a program that involved regulatory authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration and certification tests at facilities tied to Boeing Field and Paine Field.

Design

The 767-200 featured a wide-body cross-section with a two-aisle cabin enabling multiple seating layouts favored by carriers such as Delta Air Lines and Cathay Pacific. Its design incorporated a supercritical wing, digital systems influenced by work at MIT and collaborations with avionics suppliers like Honeywell International and Rockwell Collins. The flight deck introduced two-crew operations supported by advanced autopilot and flight management systems, reflecting influences from research partnerships with NASA and regulatory guidance from the Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Structural engineering drew on composite research from Boeing Phantom Works and materials suppliers including DuPont.

Variants

The 767-200 family spawned several variants and related derivatives during its service life. Airlines and freight operators ordered stretched and converted types such as those aligning with Boeing 767-300 development and aftermarket conversions performed by companies like Lufthansa Technik and Israel Aerospace Industries. Military and government versions include tanker and transport conversions influenced by programs for the United States Air Force and export customers, with systems integrations that reference suppliers like Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Cargo-specific variants were adopted by integrators such as FedEx Express and UPS Airlines.

Operational history

After entry into service with United Airlines in 1982 on transcontinental and transpacific routes, the 767-200 established itself on medium- and long-haul sectors operated by carriers including Air France, KLM, Qantas, and Iberia. The airliner played roles in airline network planning influenced by deregulation policies of the United States and market liberalization in regions served by Aer Lingus and Swiss International Air Lines. Cargo and combi adaptations became common with operators such as Japan Cargo Airlines and Cargolux, while military support missions were conducted for users like the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Canadian Air Force.

Operators

Major commercial operators of the 767-200 have included legacy carriers and freight airlines: United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Air France, FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, Cargolux, Iberia, Qantas, Aeroflot, China Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, LAN Airlines, South African Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic in various capacities. Military and government operators include United States Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, and other state airlines and defense ministries.

Accidents and incidents

The 767-200 has been involved in multiple notable accidents and incidents, some resulting in fatalities and policy changes. Events connected to investigations by agencies such as the National Transportation Safety Board, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, and the Aviation Safety Network shaped procedures adopted by International Civil Aviation Organization and national regulators. High-profile occurrences influenced airline safety culture at carriers including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines and prompted engineering reviews by Boeing and suppliers like Pratt & Whitney and General Electric.

Specifications (767-200)

- Crew: Two pilots (flight deck) - Typical seating: 181–224 passengers (two-class layouts operated by United Airlines and American Airlines) - Length: 48.5 m (159 ft 2 in) - Wingspan: 47.6 m (156 ft 1 in) - Engines: Two turbofan engines (options from Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Rolls-Royce plc) - Range: Approximately 6,385 km (3,445 nmi) depending on configuration, as employed on routes by Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines - Maximum takeoff weight: Variable by subvariant and airline specifications, adjusted for operators including FedEx Express and UPS Airlines - Avionics: Flight management systems and autopilot suites from suppliers such as Honeywell International and Rockwell Collins

Category:Boeing aircraft