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Boeing 767-300F

Boeing · Widebody / Heavy / Commercial Aviation · USA · Modern (1992–2009)

Boeing 767-300F — Widebody / Heavy / Commercial Aviation
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The Boeing 767-300F is an American wide-body freighter — Boeing's principal medium-range freight aircraft + the most-produced cargo variant of the 767 family. Boeing developed the 767-300F (a dedicated-freighter version of the 767-300ER passenger aircraft) in 1991-1995; service entry 1995 with UPS. About 240 767-300Fs have been delivered as of 2026; the aircraft remains in production at Boeing Everett. The 767F serves UPS (largest operator, 75+ aircraft), FedEx (60+), Atlas Air, ABX Air, Air Transport International, + many other freight operators worldwide.

The 767-300F uses 2 × General Electric CF6-80C2B7F or Pratt & Whitney PW4060 turbofans. Maximum cruise speed Mach 0.80, range 6,025 km (with maximum payload of 56 metric tons), service ceiling 13,140 m, MTOW 186,880 kg. Maximum payload: 56,500 kg freight. Pallet positions: 24 main-deck pallets (LD-2 / LD-3 / LD-8) + 30 lower-deck containers. Cargo door: 3.4 m × 2.7 m forward main-deck cargo door for nose-loading. The 767-300F's combination of payload, range, + (relatively) low operating cost made it the dominant medium-range freighter aircraft for ~30 years.

767F service began in 1995 with UPS as launch customer + has grown progressively. The aircraft is the backbone of UPS + FedEx US + international express-freight networks; both operate 60-80+ 767Fs each. Boeing announced in 2024 that the 767F (the last 767 variant in production) would continue in production through 2027 — making the 767 family the longest-produced Boeing commercial aircraft (1981-2027, 46 years). The 767F successor in Boeing's lineup is the 777-200F (already in production) + the planned 777X-F (2027). Famous incidents: ABX Air 3591 (February 2019) — a 767-300F operating for Amazon Air crashed on approach to Houston, killing 3 crew. The accident was attributed to crew loss of control after a fly-by-wire system anomaly; no design defect was implicated. The 767F has an exceptional commercial-success record.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Boeing 767-300F is an American cargo plane with two big engines under its wings. It was built to carry packages and freight, not people. The plane has been the most popular medium-range cargo jet in the world for about 30 years.

The 767-300F first started flying in 1995 with UPS, the package company. Since then, more than 240 have been built. FedEx and UPS are the two biggest users. Together they own more than 130 of these planes. They fly packages around America every single night.

The cargo door on the front of the plane is about as tall as a school doorway. Workers can roll big metal boxes called pallets inside. The plane can carry up to 56 tons of cargo at once. That is heavier than ten African elephants combined.

The 767-300F flies at about 530 mph and can travel around 3,700 miles before it needs more fuel. Boeing still builds new ones today at their factory in Everett, Washington. It is one of the longest-selling cargo planes in history.

Fun Facts

  • The Boeing 767-300F first started flying with UPS in 1995.
  • More than 240 of these cargo jets have been built so far.
  • FedEx and UPS together own more than 130 of these planes.
  • The plane can carry up to 56 tons of cargo on one trip.
  • Boeing still builds new 767-300F jets at their factory in Everett, Washington.
  • The cargo door on the front is big enough to roll large metal pallets through.

Kids’ Questions

Why does the 767-300F have only two engines when older cargo jumbos had four?

Modern jet engines are much stronger than older ones. Two big engines can do the work that used to take four. Two engines also use less fuel, which saves money for the airline.

How is a cargo plane different from a passenger plane?

Cargo planes have no seats, no windows along the sides, and a big door for loading boxes. The floor is also stronger to hold heavy freight. Everything inside is built for packages, not people.

Variants

767-300F (1995)
Standard freighter. Most-numerous variant.
767-300BCF (2008)
Boeing Converted Freighter from used passenger 767-300ERs.

Notable Operators

UPS (1995-present)
Launch customer + largest operator. 75+ aircraft.
FedEx (1996-present)
Second-largest operator. 60+ aircraft.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has the 767F production lasted 30+ years?

The 767-300F has been Boeing's most-successful sustained cargo programme for three reasons. (1) Right-sized for express freight — the 767F's 56-ton payload + 6,000 km range matches the routes + freight volume of US + transatlantic + transpacific express-freight networks; smaller (737F) lacks the range, larger (747F + 777F) is too big for many routes. (2) Operating cost efficiency — twin-engine 767s are ~40% cheaper to operate per kilo-km than 4-engine 747Fs + 777Fs are 15-20% more efficient but more expensive to acquire. (3) Lack of direct competitor — Airbus has never built a dedicated 767F-class cargo plane (Airbus offers A330F + A350F but neither has matched the 767F's market penetration). UPS + FedEx have ordered 767Fs continuously through 2024; Boeing's October 2024 announcement extended production through 2027.

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