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Boeing 707-320 vs. Douglas DC-8

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707-320

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DC-8

Price (USD)
$5 Million$7 Million
First Flight
19571966
Body Type
Narrow-bodyNarrow-body
Length
46 m152 ft
57 m187 ft
Wingspan
44 m145 ft
45 m148 ft
Wing Area
283 m²3,046 ft²
271 m²2,926 ft²
Fuselage Width
3 m12 ft
3 m13 ft
Height
12 m42 ft
12 m42 ft
Max Takeoff Weight
152,000 kg335,103 lbs
147,400 kg324,961 lbs
Number of Engines
44
Engine Options
Pratt & Whitney JT3DPratt & Whitney JT3D
Max Thrust Per Engine
85 kN19,000 lbf
80 kN18,000 lbf
Max Total Thrust
340 kN76,000 lbf
320 kN36,000 lbf
Fuel Capacity
90,300 l23,855 gal
88,552 l23,393 gal
Range
5,400 km2,916 nm
5,900 km3,186 nm
Cruise Speed
890 km/h553 mph
895 km/h556 mph
Typical Seating
137 pax220 pax
Max Seating
219 pax259 pax

What Are the Differences Between the Boeing 707-320 and Douglas DC-8

Boeing 707-320 vs Douglas DC-8 Size Comparison

  • At 57.10 meters, the Douglas DC-8 is 10.50 meters longer than the Boeing 707-320.
  • With a wingspan of 45.20 meters, the Douglas DC-8 is 0.80 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The Boeing 707-320 and Douglas DC-8 have heights of 12.80 meters and 12.90 meters respectively - making the Douglas DC-8 0.10 meters taller.

Boeing 707-320 vs Douglas DC-8 Range

  • Douglas DC-8’s range of 5,900 kilometers is greater than Boeing 707-320’s range of 5,400 kilometers. Therefore, the Douglas DC-8 can fly nonstop approximately 500 kilometers further.
  • The Boeing 707-320 can hold 23,855 gallons of fuel, which is 462 gallons more than the Douglas DC-8’s tank capacity of 23,393 gallons.

Boeing 707-320 vs Douglas DC-8 Seating

  • In a typical seating configuration, the Douglas DC-8 can accommodate 220 passengers, which is about 83 passengers more than Boeing 707-320’s seating capacity.
  • The Douglas DC-8’s max seating capacity is 259 passengers, compared to 219 passengers of the Boeing 707-320.

About the Boeing 707-320

Introduced in 1957, the Boeing 707-320 is a significant aircraft in the history of commercial aviation, marking Boeing's venture into the jetliner market. As a narrow-body, long-range airliner, the 707-320 played a pivotal role in the jet age, revolutionizing air travel with its speed and range capabilities.

The 707-329 is 46.6 meters (152.9 feet) long, and 44.4 meters (145.7 feet) from wing tip to wing tip, making it one of the larger aircraft of its time. Its design accommodates a typical seating arrangement for 137 passengers. Equipped with four engines, the 707-320 delivers a total thrust of 340.0 kN (76,000 lbf). Its fuel capacity of 90,300 liters (23,855 US gallons) contributes to a range of 5,400 kilometers (2,916 nautical miles). With a cruise speed of 890 km/h (553 mph), the 707-320 was known for reducing travel times significantly compared to propeller-driven aircraft, making it popular for transatlantic routes. Its cockpit required three crew members: a pilot, copilot, and flight engineer.

In the commercial aviation sector, the Boeing 707-320 competed with aircraft like the Douglas DC-8. Its introduction was a major step forward for Boeing, establishing the company as a leader in the jetliner market. The 707-320's ability to cover long distances quickly and efficiently made it a preferred choice for airlines expanding their international operations. Airlines such as Pan American World Airways, TWA, and Lufthansa operated the Boeing 707-320, utilizing its capabilities to offer faster, more comfortable international flights. The aircraft's role in expanding the global reach of air travel was significant, contributing to the growth of the airline industry and the accessibility of air travel.

The Boeing 707-320's legacy is marked by its contribution to the evolution of commercial aviation. Its development and success paved the way for future generations of jetliners, setting new standards in speed, range, and passenger experience. Though its era has passed, the 707-320 remains an iconic symbol of the jet age, a period that transformed air travel and connected the world in ways previously unimaginable.

About the Douglas DC-8

The Douglas DC-8, is a long-range, narrow-body jet airliner developed by American Douglas Aircraft Company. Introduced in the mid-1960s, the DC-8 was among the first generation of commercial jetliners, marking a significant transition in air travel from propeller-driven to jet-powered aircraft. This model was developed during a period of rapid advancement in aviation technology, driven by the growing demand for faster and more efficient air travel.

The DC-8's design features a length of 57.1 meters (187.3 feet), which, at the time of its introduction, was one of the longest for any airliner. This length, coupled with a wingspan of 45.2 meters (148.4 feet), reflects the aircraft's capacity to handle long-haul routes, a key requirement during the jet age's early years. The DC-8's size was a response to the airline industry's needs for greater passenger capacity and range. Equipped with four Pratt & Whitney JT3D turbojet engines, the DC-8 could achieve a total thrust of 320.0 kN (36,000 lbf). This power output was instrumental in enabling the aircraft to reach a range of approximately 5,900 kilometers (3,186 nautical miles), making it suitable for transcontinental and transatlantic routes. The DC-8's speed and range capabilities were significant advancements at the time, contributing to the reduction of travel times on international routes.

The cabin of the DC-8 was designed to seat around 220 passengers in a typical two-class configuration with six seats across. This capacity allowed airlines to transport more passengers per flight compared to earlier propeller-driven airliners, significantly increasing operational efficiency. The interior of the DC-8 was designed with comfort in mind, offering features that were considered state-of-the-art during its era.

In the commercial aviation market, the Douglas DC-8 competed with the other early quadjet, the Boeing 707. The introduction of the DC-8 was part of the broader trend towards jet-powered air travel, which revolutionized the airline industry by offering faster and more comfortable flights over longer distances. Airlines that operated the DC-8 were United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Thai Airways, and Pan American World Airways. The DC-8's operational role was marked by its ability to serve long-haul routes with improved efficiency and speed, a factor that contributed significantly to the growth of global air travel during the 1960s and 1970s. The DC-8 was produced until 1972, with 556 aircraft built. As the model aged out, it was superseded by larger wide-body Douglas' DC-10 trijet.

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Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

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