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Aviation glossary

Variant

Also: version, sub-type, model variant

The aircraft

Version of an aircraft model that keeps the basic design but changes features such as length, engines, range or intended role.

What it is

Developing an aircraft from scratch is enormously expensive, so manufacturers derive new versions from the original design: stretched to carry more passengers, shortened for smaller markets, with extra fuel, different engines or a freighter configuration. Each variant usually gets its own suffix in the designation, such as -200, -300ER or F.

The Boeing 737 is a good example: since its first version it has gone through four generations, known as the Original, Classic, Next Generation and MAX, and many variants. Suffixes such as ER (Extended Range), LR (Long Range) or neo (New Engine Option) flag the main difference. Variants of the same model usually share a type certificate and pilot type rating, which makes them easier to fold into a fleet.

On Vuelopedia

A model page on Vuelopedia has a section devoted to its variants.

Boeing 737 Boeing 737 MAX

Related terms

Aircraft familyGroup of models from one manufacturer that share a basic design, flight deck and systems while differing in size, capacity or range. Type certificateDocument in which an aviation authority declares that the design of an aircraft, engine or propeller model meets the applicable airworthiness requirements. ICAO aircraft type designatorCode of up to four characters that ICAO assigns to each aircraft type for use in flight plans and air traffic control, such as A320 or B738. Freighter conversionThe rebuilding of a used passenger aircraft as a freighter, with a large side cargo door, a strengthened floor and a cabin stripped to take pallets and containers. FreighterAircraft used solely to carry cargo, with no passenger cabin, a strengthened floor and a large cargo door on the main deck.
Whole glossary

Cite

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This page was last updated on October 9, 2026

APA

Vuelopedia. (2026, October 9). Variant. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://vuelopedia.org/en/glossary/variant

MLA

“Variant.” Vuelopedia, Fundación Poderia, 9 Oct. 2026, vuelopedia.org/en/glossary/variant. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Vuelopedia. “Variant.” Fundación Poderia. Last modified October 9, 2026. https://vuelopedia.org/en/glossary/variant.

Harvard

Vuelopedia (2026) Variant. Available at: https://vuelopedia.org/en/glossary/variant (Accessed: 20 October 2026).

BibTeX

@misc{vuelopedia_en_glossary_variant,
  author       = {{Vuelopedia}},
  title        = {{Variant}},
  publisher    = {Fundación Poderia},
  year         = {2026},
  date         = {2026-10-09},
  url          = {https://vuelopedia.org/en/glossary/variant},
  howpublished = {\url{https://vuelopedia.org/en/glossary/variant}},
  urldate      = {2026-10-20},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-20}
}

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://vuelopedia.org/en/glossary/variant |title=Variant |website=Vuelopedia |publisher=Fundación Poderia |date=2026-10-09 |access-date=2026-10-20 |language=en}}

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