Ilyushin aircraft types

Ilyushin Il-96

Il-96

Four engines, winglets and a landing gear leg in the middle under the fuselage: the Il-96 is Russia’s only home-built long-haul widebody jet and today mainly flies the president. Here is how to recognize it and how to put the rare sightings in context.

Ilyushin Il-114

Il-114

Low wing instead of high wing, six propeller blades per engine and a checkered history between Tashkent and Lukhovitsy: here is how to recognize the Il-114 and its relaunch, the Il-114-300 – and where the Russian regional turboprop stands.

Ilyushin Il-76

Il-76

Glazed navigator station, high-mounted wing, T-tail and four jet engines: the Il-76 is the classic Soviet transport. Here is how to recognize it with confidence – and what your chances are of still running into one today.

Ilyushin Il-18

Il-18

Four turboprop engines under a long, straight wing, a slim fuselage and a deep, resonant hum: the Il-18 was the Soviet Union’s first big turboprop airliner and the backbone of Interflug in the 1960s. Here is how to recognize the classic.

Ilyushin Il-62

Il-62

Four engines in pairs at the rear, a tall T-tail and a deployable support under the tail end: the Il-62 was the first Soviet long-haul jet, flagship of Interflug and a government aircraft for many states. Here is how to recognize the classic.

Ilyushin Il-86

Il-86

The Soviet Union’s first widebody jet: on the Il-86, passengers boarded via built-in stairs into the lower deck and carried their own luggage aboard. Here is how to recognize this rare four-engine jet – and where the last examples stand.