ETOPS Ratings for Popular Aircraft

If I must recount the turning points of the civil aviation industry – the decisions that changed the fate of the industry (and the world we live in) forever – the advent of the ETOPS rating system would be one of my prime picks. Without ETOPS, we would still be flying large planes over major routes, with small planes only being used for overland flights. The point-to-point aviation model may have been difficult to achieve, and thus, our journeys may have been longer and more expensive.

Credits: Anidaat

ETOPS stands for ‘Extended Range Twin Engine Operation’ and is also known as EDTO (Extended Diversion Time Operation). Twin-engine aircraft are normally not allowed to operate more than 60 minutes of single-engine flying time from a suitable airfield. However, if the aircraft and the airline can show adequate reliability to operate in single-engine conditions, the routes can be ETOPS certified to operate beyond 60 minutes of flying time from the nearest suitable airfield. What does ‘reliability’ mean in this context? That flying single engine is safe for the airframe and manageable for the crew and passengers.

ETOPS Ratings for Major Twin-Jets

Provided below is a compiled list of ETOPS ratings of the most popular twin-engine aircraft. Please note that extension of the ETOPS rating for a particular route may be granted as explained above.

ManufacturerAircraftETOPS Rating (minutes)
Boeing71775
Boeing737 (200/300/400/500)120
Boeing737NG (600/700/800180 (CFM engine powered)
Boeing757120
Boeing767180
Boeing777 (200LR/200ER/300ER)330
Boeing787330
AirbusA300180
AirbusA310180
AirbusA320120
AirbusA330180
AirbusA350-900180-370

If you like this, I’m sure you would like our series on identifying any major aircraft in less than 5 seconds! Head over to AIKA Birdspot!


Cover credits: Gameplayzz

Leave a Reply