Expert: Paul Ruderham - 10/20/2005

Question
How can one tell a CRJ from an ERJ just by the appearance? What in your opinion makes one better than the other.
The same for a B757 and B767.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Jascha,

The CRJ and ERJ are very similar in appearance. The only way to tell is that the Embraer ERJ does not have winglets where as the Bombardier CRJ does The nose of the ERJ is slightly pointier and the tail fin not as upright as the CRJ. Also the engines are a different make. The CRJ has General Electric CF-34 8C engines, and the ERJ has Rolls RoyceAE 3007a turbofans.

Which one is better? Tough call. They are both as popular and successful. but I would have to go for the CRJ as the winglets give slightly better wing performance making it more fuel efficient. The ERJ has Rolls Royce engines which are the most reliable in the world, so it is a very close run thing.

The Boeing 767 and 757 are easy to tell apart. The 767 is bigger and has a fatter fuselage. The 757 has a narrower fuselage and a snubbier nose. The nose wheel on the 757 is set further back as well giving it a distinctive look. The planes both have identical cockpits making it easy for pilots to upgrade to type.

I have flown many times on both and it is very difficult to choose the better one. The engines are usually all Rolls Royce, and they fly equally as well. For comfort I would go for the 767, but for take off and climb performance the 757 is superb. Overall they are on an equal par, the only difference being that the 767 holds more passengers.

Hope this helps.
Best regards.
PR