Beech launched the King Air series of 8-12-seat, twin-turboprop aircraft in 1963. Since then, numerous variants have appeared. Total production amounted to 6,449 aircraft through 2013. Beechcraft, which Textron acquired last March and operates along with Cessna in a new segment called Textron Aviation, markets the King Air C90GTx, King Air 250 and King Air 350i. The C90GTx is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135s producing 550 shp each.

The 737 series is a family of twin-engine, narrowbody commercial transports. Seating capacity varies depending on the model, though the most typical two-class configurations are 126 passengers for the 737-700, 162 for the 737-800 and 180 for the 737-900ER. All three models, which are the current production versions, are powered by two CFM56-7 turbofans. The first 737 flew in April 1967 and received FAA certification in December 1967.

The 747 is an intercontinental widebody commercial transport aircraft powered by four turbofan engines. First flight and certification occurred in 1969. In February 2010, Boeing conducted the maiden flight of the 747-8 series, which includes the 747-8 Intercontinental passenger model and the 747-8 Freighter. Both are equipped with General Electric GEnx engines rated at 66,500 lb. thrust each. The 747-8I is stretched 18 ft. compared to the 747-400 to accommodate 467 seats in a three-class configuration. The first 747-8F delivery, to launch customer Cargolux, occurred in September 2011.

A prototype of this twin-engine, widebody commercial transport aircraft was rolled out in August 1981, with first flight occurring the following month; through 2013, Boeing produced 1,110 767s. Only two civil 767 versions are in production: the extended-range 767-300ER passenger model and 767-300F freighter. The 767-300ER seats 218 passengers in a three-class layout or up to 350 in one class, and has a maximum range of 5,990 nm. The -300ER is available with a choice of GE CF6-80C2 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines. The -300F is powered by the CF6-80C2.

The 777 is a twin-engine, widebody jetliner. First flight occurred in June 1994, followed by certification in April 1995 for the Pratt & Whitney-powered version. Deliveries began in June 1995. The 777-200ER seats 301-440 passengers, and is powered by PW4000, Trent 800 or GE90 turbofans rated at 84,000-95,000 lb. thrust each. Two newer versions are the 777-200LR and 777-300ER. The -200LR, which seats 301 passengers in three classes, is powered by 110,100-lb.-thrust GE90-110B1 or 115,300-lb.-thrust GE90-115BL turbofans.

The 787 Dreamliner is a family of twin-engine widebody airliners. Three versions are marketed. The 787-8 carries 210-250 passengers and has a range of 7,650-8,200 nm. The 20-ft.-longer 787-9 carries 250-290 passengers and has a range of 8,000-8,500 nm. The 787-10 is stretched 18 ft. beyond the 787-9. All three models are available with either two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 or General Electric GEnx turbofans. The Dreamliner received certification in August 2011, followed by delivery to Japan’s All Nippon Airways of the first 787-8 the following month.

The CRJ series is a family of twin-engine, 44-100-seat regional jets. The initial model was the 50-seat CRJ100, which first flew in May 1991; deliveries began in October 1992. The CRJ100 was replaced by the 50-seat CRJ200, which is powered by 9,220-lb.-thrust GE CF34-3B1 turbofans. Other variants are: the 44-seat CRJ440, also powered by CF34-3B1s; the 64-78-seat CRJ700, powered by 13,790-lb.-thrust CF34-8C5s; and the 86-90-seat CRJ900, powered by 14,255-lb.-thrust CF34-8C5s. Bombardier’s Challenger 850 business jet/corporate shuttle is based on the 50-seat CRJ200LR.

Launched in July 2008, Bombardier’s CSeries family is the CS100 version, which carries 110 passengers, and the larger CS300 model, seating 135 in a standard configuration. The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofans producing up to 23,300 lb. thrust each. With an extra-capacity seating option, the CS300 can carry up to 160 passengers. CSeries service entry is slated for the second half of 2015. The CS100 will compete with the Embraer 190 and 195, while the CS300 will vie against the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A319.