Ilyushin Il-86 "Camber"
Ilyushin · Soviet Union · first flew 1976 · airliner
The Ilyushin Il-86 was the Soviet Union's first wide-body airliner and its first aircraft capable of carrying over 300 passengers, entering Aeroflot service in 1980 as a high-capacity domestic trunk route aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Soviet Union's first wide-body airliner |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Soviet Union's first wide-body airliner
- Four Kuznetsov turbofans under a swept low wing
- Lower-deck boarding with passengers carrying luggage up internal stairs
Four podded turbofans under a moderately swept low wing, with a wide double-bubble fuselage and three ventral boarding doors — the lower-deck entry system is unique among airliners. Broadly similar in silhouette to a 747 but with Soviet-style aerodynamic lines.
Specifications
- The Ilyushin Il-86 has a length of 59.54 m (195 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 48.06 m (158 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 950 km/h (590 mph).
- Typical crew: 3 flight crew + 350 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Development began in the late 1960s to meet Aeroflot's need for a high-capacity aircraft on busy Soviet domestic routes. The Il-86 first flew in December 1976 and entered passenger service in December 1980. A distinctive feature was lower-deck boarding, where passengers entered via ventral stairs and stowed their own luggage before climbing to the main cabin — eliminating the need for sophisticated jetway facilities at Soviet airports. Over 100 were built, serving until retirement in the 2000s.
Variants
One main production variant with minor avionics updates. The Il-96, a later development with PS-90 engines and a longer range, is a distinct successor type.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by Aeroflot and its Soviet-era successor airlines on high-density domestic routes; never exported. The type was retired from scheduled service in the 2000s as more efficient Western aircraft became available.
Related aircraft
- Il-76
- Ilyushin Il-102
- Ilyushin Il-78
- Ilyushin Il-18D
- Falcon 50
- Boeing 747SP
- de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7
- Embraer EMB 110P Bandeirante
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