What planes looked like the year you were born

When you’re boarding an airplane, you might not notice the subtle differences between an Airbus and a Boeing.

But the truth is airplanes come in many shapes and sizes and they’ve changed a lot over time. We rounded up the most popular, well-known, or innovative planes the year you were born.

1968: Beechcraft Model 99

This tiny commuter plane launched commercially in the late 1960s and carried 15 to 17 passengers at a time, according to Plane and Pilot.

1969: Boeing 747-100

One of the most well-known airplanes in the world to this day is the Boeing 747. It first took flight in 1969 and held 539 passengers.

1970: Boeing 747

This iconic plane went into commerical circulation in 1970.

1971: Boeing 747-200

In the early 70s, the Boeing 747 got its first upgrade. This iteration of the jet had more powerful engines and could carry more weight.

1972: Lockheed L-1011 TriStar

This was the first airliner that could take off, fly, and land automatically if necessary.

1973: The Boeing 747-100SR

The SR stands for short-range. This airplane was developed for Japan Airlines and could hold more passengers than previous 747s, but had lower fuel capacity so it couldn’t travel as far.

1974: The Airbus A300

Air France brought the first Airbus A300 into service in 1974. Later versions of the Airbus A300 are still in service today.

1975: Tupolev Tu-144

This Russian aircraft was the first supersonic transport jet to enter service — even before the Concorde.

1976: The Boeing 747 SP

This plane was built to withstand the longest nonstop travel route at the time: New York to Tehran.

1977: Mitsubishi F-1

This was the first fighter plane built in Japan post-World War II.

1978: The Boeing 747-100 BSR

This plane, developed for All Nippon Airways, had an even greater takeoff weight and was designed to withstand more takeoffs and landings in a shorter period of time.

1979: Gossamer Albatross

Though you probably won't be riding in plane that looks like this anytime soon, the Gossamer Albatross grabbed headlines in 1979 for being the first human-powered aircraft to cross the English Channel. 

1980: Boeing 707

Exterior shots of this popular plane were used in the iconic 1980 comedy “Airplane!”

1981: British Aerospace BAe146/Avro RJ

This jet first launched in 1984 and later reportedly became Britain’s most successful jet airliner.

1982: Boeing 767

The 767’s first flight was in 1982. Upgraded models are still in use today.

1983: Boeing 747 300

This model reduced fuel burn by 25% per passenger, but also did away with Boeing’s iconic spiral staircase to the upper deck, in favor of a straight staircase.

1984: BAE 146 AVRO RJ

The British Royal Family has occasionally used several of these early 1980s planes.

1985: Gulfstream IV

Also known as a G-IV, these planes launched in the early 1980s and soon became notorious symbols of wealth. The King of Bahrain has one.

1986: Beriev A-40

This amphibious Russian jet can take off and land in water. It had its first flight in 1986.

1987: Vickers VC-10

A Vickers VC-10 set a new record for flying from the UK to Australia in 19 hours and 1 minute in 1987.

1988: Boeing 737 400

The 737 is the best-selling airplane of all time. The 400 model, launched in 1988, had 147 seats.

1989: Boeing 747-400

Compared to the 300, his model has an “increased wingspan, winglets, revised engines and a glass cockpit that removed the need for a flight engineer,” according to Boeing-747.com.

1990: Boeing VC-25A

US presidents have flown on Boeing VC-25As since 1990. Only when a president is onboard, the plane in use is known as Air Force One.

1991: Dornier 328

This commuter plane had its first flight in 1991 and proved popular thanks to its spacious cabin.

1992: Cessna Citation VII

The Cessna Citation line of business jets were hugely popular.

1993: McDonnell-Douglas MD-90

This plane is still in circulation today.

1994: Boeing 777

These massive planes first flew in 1994, and can seat over 300 passengers.

1995: Airbus Beluga

It looks like something out of a cartoon, but the Airbus Beluga is the real deal. Its nose is shaped like that so it can hold more cargo.

1996: Lockheed C-130 Hercules

This massive cargo plane can take off and land on unprepared runways and has been in military use since the 1950s. The model has been updated and was going strong in the 1990s with new versions being released. It’s still in use today.

1997: Griffon Lionheart

This plane could be made at home with a kit and was touted, space-wise, as being “just about right for the wife and kids.” It’s no longer in production.

1998: Beriev Be-200

This amphibious Russian plane can take off and land in water, and carry up to 12 tons of water to troops.

1999: Learjet 45

This business jet has proven popular since its 1999 launch.

2000: Concorde

This plane made headlines for its speed, but it stopped flying in 2003.

2001: Boeing 757

The biggest single-aisle passenger plane produced by Boeing, the 757 was in production until 2004, according to Mechanical Engineering.

2002: Boeing 747-400 ER

This 747 model can fly 805 more kilometers and carry 6,800 kilograms more freight than its predecessor.

2003: HondaJet HA-420

Honda flew its first jet in 2003 and it’s currently available to buy.

2004: SpaceShipOne

This rocket-powered aircraft was privately built and was actually able to enter orbit in 2004.

2005: Airbus A380

Currently the largest passenger airplane in the world with a capacity of over 800 passengers, the Airbus A380 launched in 2005.

2006: Boeing 747-400

This reliable 747 was still going strong by 2006 and was so iconic, it was selected as the airplane in “Snakes on a Plane.” The movie included an old-fashioned spiral staircases, even though those hadn’t been in us 747s in decades.

2007: Airbus A320

The A320 has been going strong since 1987. There are currently over 8,000 in production.

2008: Airbus 340-212

The Sultan of Brunei owns a luxury version of this rare plane.

2009: Embraer Phenom 300

Introduced in 2009, this is one of the most economically priced of the business jets with used models starting at a casual $7 million.

2010: Corvus Racer 540

This one-seater plane was developed along with Red Bull and is incredibly light at 542 kilograms.

2011: Boeing 787 Dreamliner

This plane was designed with a goal of more passenger comfort at a time when plane seats seemed to be shrinking by the minute.

2012: Embraer Legacy 500

This business jet is known as one of the most luxurious, holding four to 12 people and costing up to $20 million.

2013: Gulfstream G650

This private jet will set you back $65 million and can nearly reach the speed of sound.

2014: Piaggio P.180 Avanti EVO

The incredibly slick Avanti EVO is known as one of the most stylish business jets thanks to its hammerhead nose.

2015: Voyager A330

The British Royal Family and certain high-ranking British politicians announced plans to convert a Voyager A330 into an “Air Force One”-esque private aircraft in 2015.

2016: Boeing 737 MAX

The 737 MAX has been touted as the “short-haul plane of the future,” despite its microscopic bathrooms.

2017: Airbus A330neo

The “neo” stands for “new engine option,” according to Aviation CV.

2018: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

A Norwegian Airlines pilot broke the world record for fastest subsonic transatlantic flight in a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner this year.

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