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Boeing 767-200/300/400

Boeing · Widebody / Heavy / Commercial Aviation · USA · Cold War (1970–1991)

Boeing 767-200/300/400 — Widebody / Heavy / Commercial Aviation
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The Boeing 767 is the manufacturer's mid-size, twin-engine, twin-aisle airliner that bridged the technological gap between the four-engine Boeing 747 and the smaller narrow-body 757 when both were launched in the late 1970s. First flown in September 1981 and entering service with United Airlines in September 1982, the 767 was the first wide-body airliner certified for ETOPS over-water service — a regulatory shift that opened intercontinental twin-engine routes for the first time and ultimately killed the four-engine wide-body market its 747 sibling had created.

Three primary passenger variants serve the family: the 767-200 (215 seats, 6,590 nm range) for medium-haul; the 767-300 (~269 seats, 6,385 nm) which became the workhorse on transatlantic routes; and the 767-400ER (~245 seats, 5,625 nm), a stretched variant flown primarily by Delta Air Lines and Continental. Boeing also developed a successful cargo family, with the 767F finding heavy use among express carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL — and a military tanker variant, the KC-46 Pegasus, which entered USAF service in 2019.

By 2026, Boeing had delivered over 1,250 767s with production continuing for the 767F freighter and the KC-46 tanker. The passenger variants are largely being phased out by airlines in favour of the 787 Dreamliner, which the 767 was specifically designed to replace, and the A330neo. Major operators in 2026 include Delta Air Lines (still flies passenger 767-300/400ER on transatlantic and high-density domestic routes), United Airlines, ANA, plus FedEx and UPS for the cargo type. Boeing has stated production will end with the FAA-mandated cutoff of December 2027, after which the line transitions exclusively to KC-46 production.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Boeing 767 is a big passenger jet made by Boeing in America. It first flew in September 1981. It started carrying passengers with United Airlines in September 1982. The 767 has two engines and two aisles inside the cabin.

The 767 was a very important plane for air travel. It was the first wide-body jet allowed to fly long trips over the ocean using just two engines. Before this, airlines needed four engines for those long routes. This changed how airlines planned their flights around the world.

There are a few different versions of the 767. The 767-200 can carry about 215 passengers. The 767-300 can carry about 269 passengers and became very popular on trips across the Atlantic Ocean. The 767-400ER is a longer version flown by airlines like Delta.

The 767 is also used to carry cargo. Companies like FedEx, UPS, and DHL use cargo versions to ship packages around the world. The military uses a version called the KC-46 Pegasus as a flying fuel tanker. It started serving the Air Force in 2019.

The 767 is longer than a city bus and has been a workhorse of air travel for over 40 years. By 2026, Boeing had delivered more than 1,250 of these jets, and they are still being built today.

Fun Facts

  • The Boeing 767 first took to the sky in September 1981.
  • It was the first wide-body jet allowed to fly long ocean routes with just two engines.
  • The 767-300 became one of the most popular jets for flights across the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Cargo companies like FedEx, UPS, and DHL use the 767 to ship packages around the world.
  • The military version, the KC-46 Pegasus, refuels other planes while flying in the air.
  • The 767 is longer than a city bus — it changed how airlines flew long distances forever.
  • More than 1,250 Boeing 767s have been delivered, and new ones are still being made.
  • The 767 helped end the need for four-engine jets on long intercontinental routes.

Kids’ Questions

How many engines does the Boeing 767 have?

The Boeing 767 has two engines, one under each wing. This was special because it was the first wide-body jet allowed to fly long trips over the ocean with only two engines.

What is the KC-46 Pegasus?

The KC-46 Pegasus is a special military version of the 767. It acts like a flying gas station by refueling other aircraft in the sky. It started serving the American Air Force in 2019.

How many passengers can the Boeing 767 carry?

It depends on the version. The 767-200 carries about 215 passengers. The 767-300 carries about 269 passengers. The 767-400ER carries about 245 passengers.

Is the Boeing 767 still being made today?

Yes! Boeing is still building the 767 today. More than 1,250 have been delivered since 1982. Cargo companies and the military keep ordering new ones.

Variants

767-200 / 200ER
Original short-fuselage variant. ER (Extended Range) version added fuel for longer transatlantic routes.
767-300 / 300ER / 300F
Stretched 21 ft over the -200, the most-produced variant. The 300F freighter has been the production mainstay since the early 2000s.
767-400ER
Further stretched variant with raked wingtips. Limited production (38 built); main customers Delta and Continental.
KC-46 Pegasus
Military aerial-refuelling tanker derivative entering USAF service in 2019. Boeing 767-2C airframe with KC-10-class boom.

Notable Operators

Delta Air Lines
Largest 767 operator; still flies the type on transatlantic and high-density domestic routes.
United Airlines, ANA, Japan Airlines
Other major passenger operators.
FedEx, UPS, DHL
Heavy cargo operators.
United States Air Force
KC-46 Pegasus tanker variant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Boeing 767 still in production?

As of 2026, Boeing produces only the 767F freighter and the KC-46 Pegasus tanker. Passenger production ended in 2014. The freighter line is scheduled to end with December 2027 deliveries due to the FAA emissions cutoff; KC-46 production continues for the USAF.

Boeing 767 vs 787: which is better?

The 787 Dreamliner is the 767's intended replacement and is approximately 20% more fuel efficient. The 767 retains a slightly larger cargo hold per passenger and lower maintenance complexity, which keeps freighter operators (FedEx, UPS) loyal to the older airframe.

How far can a 767 fly?

The 767-200ER has a range of 6,590 nautical miles, the 767-300ER about 5,990 nm, and the 767-400ER about 5,625 nm. The 200ER's range was sufficient to open transatlantic ETOPS routes that previously required four-engine aircraft.

What is ETOPS?

ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Performance Standards) is the FAA/ICAO certification for twin-engine aircraft to fly long over-water routes more than 60 minutes from a diversion airport. The 767 was the first wide-body airliner ETOPS-certified, opening transatlantic and transpacific twin-engine flying and effectively ending the four-engine wide-body market over the next 30 years.

How many 767s have been built?

Boeing has delivered over 1,250 767s as of 2026 across passenger, freighter, and tanker variants. Production continues at low rate for the freighter and KC-46.

Sources

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