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Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies

Airliner Quiz: How Many Commercial Aircraft Can You Name?

Quick, free airplane identification quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Earl Angelo CarandangUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for airplane identification quiz on a sky blue background

This airliner quiz helps you spot and name common commercial planes from photos and silhouettes. Warm up with our aircraft recognition quiz, or take a turn on name the plane for rapid-fire practice. For a broader challenge, see our airplane quiz. You get instant feedback and can replay to beat your best score.

Which aircraft is commonly known as the "Jumbo Jet" due to its size and distinctive hump?
Boeing 747
Airbus A380
Boeing 767
McDonnell Douglas MD-11
The Boeing 747, which first flew in 1969, earned the nickname "Jumbo Jet" for its large size and distinctive upper-deck "hump". It was the first wide-body airliner and revolutionized long-haul international travel. Over 1,500 units were built, making it one of the most recognizable airliners in history.
Which passenger airliner holds the title as the world's largest double-deck commercial aircraft?
Airbus A380
Boeing 747-8
Boeing 777-300ER
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
The Airbus A380 is a full-length double-deck airliner and remains the largest passenger aircraft ever built. It first entered commercial service in 2007 and can carry up to 853 passengers in an all-economy class layout. Its two full decks and four-engine design make it instantly recognizable.
Which general aviation aircraft is recognized as the most-produced fixed-wing aircraft ever?
Beechcraft Bonanza
Cessna 172
Cirrus SR22
Piper PA-28 Cherokee
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk first flew in 1955 and has been continuously produced in various versions since then. With more than 44,000 units built, it holds the record as the most-produced fixed-wing aircraft. It remains popular with flight schools and private pilots worldwide.
Which British fighter aircraft first flew in 1936 and played a key role in the Battle of Britain?
Hawker Hurricane
Bristol Blenheim
Gloster Gladiator
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire entered service in 1938 and is famed for its role during the Battle of Britain. It featured an elliptical wing for improved aerodynamics and excellent maneuverability. More than 20,000 Spitfires were built in various marks throughout WWII.
Which American multi-role fighter jet is known for its agility and bubble canopy design?
F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-15 Eagle
A-10 Thunderbolt II
F/A-18 Hornet
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon entered service in 1978 and features a frameless bubble canopy for 360-degree visibility. Its lightweight frame and fly-by-wire controls make it highly maneuverable. Over 4,600 have been built, serving in more than 25 air forces worldwide.
Which supersonic passenger airliner was operated by both British Airways and Air France?
Boeing SST
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Concorde
Tupolev Tu-144
The Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde first flew in 1969 and entered service in 1976 with British Airways and Air France. It cruised at Mach 2.04 and could cross the Atlantic in under 3.5 hours. A total of 20 Concordes were built, making it one of aviation's most iconic transports.
Which aircraft holds the record for the highest speed achieved by a manned air-breathing jet?
SR-71 Blackbird
MiG-25 Foxbat
F-15 Eagle
X-15
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird set an official speed record of Mach 3.3 in 1976, making it the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft. It was developed by Skunk Works and served from 1966 to 1998 as a strategic reconnaissance platform. Its titanium airframe and specialized engines enabled sustained speeds above Mach 3.
Which iconic monoplane was piloted solo by Charles Lindbergh on the first nonstop transatlantic flight?
Lockheed Vega
Barnstormer
De Havilland DH.4
Spirit of St. Louis
The Ryan NYP, nicknamed the Spirit of St. Louis, was flown by Charles Lindbergh in 1927 on the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight. The custom-built monoplane had extra fuel tanks in the forward fuselage, removing the need for a forward windshield. Lindbergh's flight from New York to Paris covered nearly 3,600 miles in 33.5 hours.
Which military transport aircraft features four turboprop engines and a high-wing design?
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Antonov An-124 Ruslan
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules first flew in 1954 and is powered by four Allison T56 turboprops. Its high-wing design and rugged landing gear allow operations from unprepared runways. Over 2,500 have been built, serving in over 70 nations for diverse missions.
Which pioneering passenger aircraft of the 1930s was known by the nickname "Dakota"?
Fokker F.VII
Junkers Ju 52
Douglas DC-3
Boeing 247
The Douglas DC-3 entered service in 1936 and transformed commercial air travel with its speed, range, and payload. It was nicknamed "Dakota" by the RAF and RCAF during WWII. Over 16,000 DC-3s and military variants were produced, with many still flying today.
Which long-range strategic bomber introduced in the 1950s is nicknamed the "BUFF" (Big Ugly Fat Fellow)?
Rockwell B-1 Lancer
Northrop B-2 Spirit
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Convair B-36 Peacemaker
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress first flew in 1952 and entered service in 1955. Crews affectionately call it the "BUFF," reflecting its large, stubby appearance and heavy payload. It remains in service with the USAF as of the 2020s.
Which stealth bomber is characterized by its flying wing design and lack of a traditional fuselage?
Northrop YB-49
F-117 Nighthawk
B-2 Spirit
B-1B Lancer
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit first flew in 1989 and entered service in 1997. Its flying wing design minimizes radar cross-section, making it highly stealthy. Only 21 were built, each capable of carrying nuclear or conventional weapons.
Which fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter was first introduced by the United States Air Force in 2005?
F-22 Raptor
F-35 Lightning II
F-15E Strike Eagle
F/A-18 Super Hornet
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor achieved initial operational capability in 2005. It features stealth, supercruise, and advanced avionics, making it the first fifth-generation fighter in service. Its development focused on air dominance missions.
Which modern twin-engine widebody aircraft is known for its extensive use of composite materials?
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Airbus A330neo
Boeing 767
Airbus A300
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, first delivered in 2011, uses over 50% composite materials by weight in its airframe. This reduces weight and improves fuel efficiency by about 20% over comparable older aircraft. It pioneered features like large windows and higher cabin humidity.
Which French delta-wing multirole fighter is manufactured by Dassault Aviation?
Saab Gripen
Dassault Rafale
Eurofighter Typhoon
Mirage 2000
The Dassault Rafale first flew in 1986 and entered service in 2001. Its delta wing and canard configuration provide excellent agility. It performs air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence roles.
Which Soviet-designed air superiority fighter, known by the NATO reporting name "Fulcrum," first flew in 1977?
MiG-29 Fulcrum
Su-27 Flanker
Yak-38 Forger
MiG-21 Fishbed
The Mikoyan MiG-29 first flew in 1977 and entered service in 1982. Its NATO reporting name is "Fulcrum." It is renowned for its maneuverability and dogfighting capabilities. Over 1,600 were built, serving in many countries' air forces.
Which high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, introduced in 1955 and nicknamed "Dragon Lady," remains in service today?
Lockheed U-2
A-12 Oxcart
RQ-4 Global Hawk
SR-71 Blackbird
The Lockheed U-2 first flew in 1955 and was designed for high-altitude photographic reconnaissance. Nicknamed "Dragon Lady," it can operate above 70,000 feet, where few defenses can reach it. Despite its age, upgraded U-2s remain in service with the USAF.
Which Soviet-built supersonic transport aircraft, nicknamed "Concordski," first flew in 1968?
Ilyushin Il-62
Tupolev Tu-144
Concorde
Tupolev Tu-22
The Tupolev Tu-144 first flew on December 31, 1968, making it the world's first supersonic transport. Western press nicknamed it "Concordski" due to its resemblance to the Anglo-French Concorde. It entered service briefly in 1977 before reliability issues grounded it.
Which historical aircraft was the first commercial jet airliner, entering service in 1952?
Tupolev Tu-104
Douglas DC-8
de Havilland Comet
Boeing 707
The de Havilland Comet entered commercial service with BOAC in May 1952, making it the world's first jet airliner. Early Comet models suffered several metal fatigue issues, leading to groundbreaking investigations that improved aircraft safety. Later variants served into the 1980s.
Which World War II fighter with a distinctive twin-boom tail design was built by Lockheed?
P-51 Mustang
P-38 Lightning
F4U Corsair
Spitfire
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning featured a unique twin-boom tail and central nacelle housing the cockpit. It first flew in 1939 and served in all theaters of WWII. Its Allison engines and turbo-superchargers enabled excellent high-altitude performance.
Which Soviet heavy transport aircraft, first flown in 1982, held the title of the world's heaviest operational aircraft at that time?
Antonov An-124 Ruslan
Ilyushin Il-76
Antonov An-225 Mriya
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
The Antonov An-124 Ruslan first flew in 1982 and became the world's heaviest aircraft then in service, with a maximum takeoff weight of 405 tonnes. Its predecessor, the An-225 Mriya, flew later in 1988. The An-124 is still widely used for oversized cargo.
Which American commercial jet airliner, developed by Boeing, had its first commercial flight in 1958 and revolutionized air travel?
Boeing 707
Douglas DC-8
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
Boeing 720
The Boeing 707 made its inaugural commercial flight in October 1958 with Pan Am. It was the first successful American jetliner and ushered in the Jet Age for transatlantic travel. Its swept-wing design and high-speed engines set the standard for future airliners.
Which airborne early warning and control aircraft is based on the Boeing 707 with a rotating radar dome mounted above the fuselage?
E-2 Hawkeye
Boeing 737 AEW&C
KC-135 Stratotanker
E-3 Sentry AWACS
The Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS is built on a 707 airframe with a distinctive rotating radar dome above the fuselage. It provides all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communications. More than 30 are in service with the USAF, NATO, and other operators.
Which hybrid aircraft, developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles, combines features of an airship and an airplane, earning the nickname "Airlander"?
Airlander 10
Rogallo wing glider
Zeppelin NT
Koolhoven F.K. 49
The Airlander 10 is a hybrid airship that uses helium for lift and aerodynamic lift from its hull shape. It first flew in 2016 and can stay aloft for days with low fuel consumption. Its design aims at surveillance, cargo, and passenger roles.
Which amphibious water bomber, known for scooping water from lakes, was developed by Canadair?
De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Canadair CL-415
Canadair CL-215
The Canadair CL-415 is an amphibious aircraft specifically designed for aerial firefighting and can scoop up to 6,137 liters of water in just 12 seconds. It is a modernized version of the CL-215 and entered service in 1994. It remains one of the most effective water bombers worldwide.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize aircraft silhouettes -

    Master airplane identification by matching distinctive silhouettes to their corresponding aircraft models in this plane quiz.

  2. Differentiate airliner types -

    Distinguish between major commercial airliners and private jets to enhance your airliner identification skills.

  3. Recall model names and manufacturers -

    Improve your memory recall to quickly name aircraft models and their manufacturers during fast-paced quiz rounds.

  4. Analyze liveries and markings -

    Apply airplane identifier techniques to link unique liveries and markings with the correct airlines and aircraft models.

  5. Track and assess your performance -

    Use real-time scoring feedback in the aircraft quiz to monitor your progress and identify areas for improvement.

  6. Expand your aircraft knowledge -

    Engage with a diverse range of aircraft quizzes to broaden your understanding of global aircraft types and history.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Wing Configuration Recognition -

    Understanding high-wing, low-wing, and delta-wing layouts is crucial for quick airplane identification. Use the "Highway, Midway, Lowway" mnemonic - high wings look like an elevated road, mid wings run through the fuselage center, and low wings hug the belly. Reference FAA diagrams (faa.gov) to see official wing schematics in this plane quiz context.

  2. Engine Type and Placement -

    Spotting turbofans under the wings versus rear-fuselage or pusher props speeds up aircraft quiz answers. For example, the Airbus A320 series has wing-mounted engines, while the MD-80 series tuck engines at the tail. FAA Type Rating Handbooks (faa.gov) include detailed engine-mounting drawings you can review.

  3. Tail and Empennage Styles -

    Distinguishing T-tails from conventional tails helps refine your airliner identification skills in seconds. The Boeing 727's T-tail stands out compared to the Boeing 737's low-set tailplane. Boeing Technical Manuals (boeing.com) offer clear diagrams to practice before taking a plane quiz.

  4. Fuselage and Window Patterns -

    Wide-body jets like the Boeing 777 have two windows per side of the cockpit ("double bubble") versus narrow-body planes like the A320. Count the main cabin windows per side as a quick airplane identifier trick. Airbus official spec sheets (airbus.com) list fuselage dimensions and window counts for reference.

  5. Livery, Logos, and Registration Codes -

    Recognizing an airline's color scheme or tail logo can clinch your aircraft quiz score - think British Airways' red-white-blue speedmarque. Familiarize yourself with IATA livery guides (iata.org) and registration prefixes (e.g., N for USA, G for UK) to lock in correct plane quiz answers every time.

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