By Simple Flying Staff , Dr. Omar Memon , and Jake Hardiman
Updated
Let's take a look at which commercial planes can operate from the smallest runways.
Summary
- The Airbus A220-100 has the shortest jet takeoff distance at 1,500m, outperforming the ATR-72 turboprop.
- Airport runway length depends on aircraft size, capacity, and weight, which affect takeoff distance.
- Widebodies like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 need more than 3,000m of runway, while smaller models operate on less.
Airport runways are designed to accommodate aircraft specifications, including size, takeoff and landing weight, and required runway field distance. A fully loaded passenger aircraft would require a longer runway length for takeoff and a complete stop (after landing) than a lighter aircraft.
What are the criteria?
To examine takeoff distance, we must define the aircraft type we are considering. For example, ATR provides short takeoff and landing (STOL) turboprops for the Japanese domestic market. Similarly, other smaller aircraft, such as the Airbus A220-300, may require a relatively short takeoff distance. Determining the parameters for which planes will be included in this analysis is important.
Photo: Chicago Midway Airport
For this article, let's limit ourselves to commercial aircraft carrying at least 70 passengers onboard. At maximum capacity, an STOL aircraft such as the ATR 42-600 for Japanese carriers can take off from an 800-meter runway, but it can only carry 50 people.
Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here!
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Jet aircraft or turboprops?
Embraer jet | E170 | E175 | E190 | E195 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Takeoff Distance | 1,644 m (5,394 ft) | 2,244 m (7,363 ft) | 2,100 m (6,890 ft) | 2,179 m (7,149 ft) |
Landing Distance | 1,241 m (4,072 ft) | 1,261 m (4,137 ft) | 1,244 m (4,081 ft) | 1,275 m (4,183 ft) |
Unsurprisingly, smaller regional aircraft will top the list. For example, the Embraer E170 (typically seating around 72 passengers) needs a runway of 1,644 m (5,394 ft). Meanwhile, the competitive Airbus A220-100 (100 to 125 passengers, depending on configuration) only requires a runway of 1,500 m (4,800 ft).
Airbus | A220-100 | A220-300 | A318 | A319 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Takeoff Distance | 1,500 m (4,800 ft) | 1,900 m (6,200 ft) | 1,780 m (5,840 ft) | 1,850 m (6,070 ft) |
Landing Distance | 1,390 m (4,550 ft) | 1,510 m (4,950 ft) | 1,230 m (4,040 ft) | 1,360 m (4,460 ft) |
With this in mind, the Airbus A220-100 has the shortest takeoff distance for jet aircraft. However, when including turboprops (and why wouldn't we?), an ATR-72-600 (78 passengers at max capacity) only needs 1,279 m (4,196 ft), and, as such, it can get away with a shorter runway than the A220.
Despite the ATR-72-210's small takeoff distance, it is not considered due to its capacity of 66 passengers.
ATR 72 | ATR 72-200 | ATR 72-210 | ATR 72-500 | ATR 72-600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Takeoff Distance | 1,409 m (4623 ft) | 1,211 m (3973 ft) | 1,224 m (4,016 ft) | 1,279 m (4,196 ft) |
Landing Distance | 1,036 m (3,399 ft) | 902 m (2,959 ft) | 899 m (2,949 ft) | 915 m (3,002 ft) |
Related
The Chicago-based carrier is no stranger to deploying regional aircraft on lengthy flights.
Why is takeoff distance significant?
Not all airports are equal. Some are small due to geographical restrictions, like being built too close to a city center (like Hong Kong's famous Kai Tak airport), and therefore don't have much room to expand or lengthen runways.
Meanwhile, other facilities have more discreet operations, as there is simply not a substantial passenger demand, thus negating the need for miles of runway.
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Photo:Roberto La Rosa | Shutterstock
As a result of this, airlines need to have aircraft at their disposal that are flexible enough to carry as many passengers (and freight) as possible, while at the same time operating to airports that may not have the optimal runway length.
What about size?
As you may well have expected by now, an aircraft's size plays a significant role in how much runway it requires to take off. Indeed, a bigger airframe needs more space to reach the speed necessary to lift off. Furthermore, extra fuel, passengers, and cargo also significantly impact runway performance.
Related
Some airports spent over $160 million on infrastructure changes to accommodate the massive Airbus A380.
For these reasons, you can imagine that an Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 are out of the game immediately, but let's include their specifications for fun and comparison. The Airbus A380 needs 3,000 m (9,800 ft) of runway to fully load off, while the Boeing 747-8 requires 3,100 m (10,200 ft).
Photo:Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock
Looking at other widebodies, the out-of-production Boeing 767-200 needs just 1,900 m (6,300 ft)of runway. Going somewhat smaller, we have popular narrowbodies like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Of the former, the Boeing 737-800 can operate on runways of 1,510 m. The smallest variant of the Airbus A320 family, the A318, only needs 1,780 m (5,840 ft), while the A320 family operating under typical conditions requires around 2,000m.
Related
The Airbus A318 vs A220-100: Which Aircraft Is Best?
How does the Airbus A318 compare to the A220-100 in terms of capacity, passenger comfort, operational efficiency, and popularity with airlines?
Do you know what the shortest-takeoff aircraft you have flown on is? What was it like getting into the sky so quickly? Leave a comment below and share your story and experience with the community and us!
