Why Jet Engines Are Still Dominate in Passenger Air Travel

The misconception that jet engines are not used in passenger aircraft anymore is quite common. In reality, jet engines remain the backbone of commercial aviation, with turbofan engines being the predominant choice for high-speed, high-performance aircrafts. There are several reasons behind this, including efficiency, environmental impact, and compliance with modern aviation standards.

Overview of Jet Engines in Aviation

Jet turbine engines are widely used across different types of aircraft, ranging from commercial airliners to military jets and business jets. These engines function by compressing and heating air, mixing it with fuel, and igniting it to create a high-speed exhaust flow that generates thrust. Unlike other engine types, such as turboprops and piston engines, which are best suited for specific performance needs, jet engines remain the primary option for high-speed aircraft due to their exceptional performance characteristics.

Evolution of Jet Engines in Commercial Aviation

The DeHavilland Comet in 1949 marked a significant milestone, establishing the foundation for modern commercial air travel. Today, all commercial airliners except certain turboprop models like the ATR-72 and Dash 8 use turbofan jet engines. Turbofan engines are essentially a combination of a turbojet and a turboprop, with an additional shell around the core, which makes them highly efficient and more quiet compared to traditional turbojets.

The Advantages of Turbofan Engines

The choice of turbofan engines for commercial airliners can be attributed to several key advantages:

Increased Efficiency:

Turbofan engines are far more fuel efficient. They achieve this by absorbing a large volume of air, pushing it back at a relatively low speed, which is more efficient than the high-speed thrust of a pure turbojet. This design optimizes the amount of air being pushed out of the engine, leading to better overall efficiency.

Lower Emissions:

Due to their design, turbofan engines emit significantly lower levels of pollutants. This is crucial as modern airports have stringent noise and emission standards. Commercial airliners must meet these modern standards to operate successfully in today's aviation landscape.

Quieter Operation:

Turbofan engines are notably quieter than turbojet engines. This reduction in noise is a significant concern for communities near airports, making commercial airliners much more acceptable in terms of public noise pollution.

Special Cases in Military Aviation

It is true that some military aircraft, particularly those designed for high-speed missions, heavily rely on turbojets or afterburner-enhanced turbofans. For instance, fighter jets such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II use afterburners to achieve supersonic speeds quickly. However, for passenger aircraft, the focus remains on efficiency and noise reduction, with high-bypass turbofans being the preferred choice.

Conclusion

In summary, jet engines, specifically turbofan engines, dominate the commercial aviation industry due to their superior efficiency, lower emissions, and adherence to modern noise restrictions. While there are exceptions in military aviation, commercial airliners repeatedly opt for turbofan engines in pursuit of the best flying experience and environmental compliance.