What does an aircraft's age mean?

Seeing your aircraft's age you might think “is it old?” In aviation, age means something different from cars.

How is age counted?

An aircraft's age is the time since it was first delivered. Airliners are designed to serve for decades; the average fleet age at airlines is usually around 10 years.

Maintenance follows age

Aircraft go through maintenance programmes set by age, flight hours and number of takeoffs and landings. As they get older the checks become more thorough. Parts are replaced on schedule, so many things inside an aircraft are much newer than the aircraft itself.

What it means for passengers

• New-generation aircraft usually have quieter cabins and more efficient engines.
• The interior (seats, screens) depends on the airline's refurbishment schedule; an older aircraft can have a new interior.
• How a flight feels depends more on the aircraft type and the weather than on age.

Know your aircraft

When you open your flight in SafeSkies, the Aircraft tab shows its type, age and a photo. Knowing what you'll fly makes boarding feel more familiar.