The Boeing 767 Takes Flight for the First Time

On September 26, 1981, the Boeing 767-200 made its first flight. Built as a twin-engine widebody passenger jet, it began a new chapter in Boeing's aircraft program.

An aircraft built for a changing industry

The 767 combined a wide passenger cabin with two engines. Its first flight was a test of a new aircraft, not the start of passenger service: flight testing and certification still lay ahead.

From test flight to airline service

The 767 entered airline service in 1982. Over the following years, the aircraft became associated with longer routes. In 1985, the 767 received approval for extended twin-engine operations that helped open regular transatlantic routes to twin-engine jets.

Why September 26 matters

Every new aircraft has a moment when its design leaves the ground for the first time. For the Boeing 767, that moment came on September 26, 1981.

A first flight is a test program’s opening

The September 1981 flight concerned the original 767-200. Later stretched or extended-range models had their own development milestones. A successful first flight gives engineers evidence about an aircraft in the air; it is followed by further testing and certification before passengers board scheduled services.

Why two engines needed operational rules

A twin-engine widebody could carry passengers over long distances, but an aircraft’s range alone did not authorize every ocean route. Extended twin-engine operations depended on reliability and regulatory approval as well as performance. The later transatlantic role of the 767 was therefore a development in aircraft operation and oversight, not something achieved on its first test flight.