Fashion Statement: Winglets

[DMM200]

I'm starting a new series that I hope to continue here on the boards: Fashion Statement.

Nowadays, airlines are looking to earn and save even more money than before. Of course, manufacturers are taking full advantage of this fact, which is why this "Fashion Statement" will look into winglets, and what they mean.

The purpose of the winglet is to prevent what is called "wingtip spill." This is when airflow that goes off the wing also runs off of the end of it. By sticking a wingfence (Airbus) or a winglet (Airbus, Boeing, and others), you actually save money on fuel costs.

Sometimes it isn't necessary to have winglets, for example on the Domestic 747s of Japan Airlines and ANA, mainly because the savings would be minimal in comparison to the wing stress and maintenance.

So, what aircraft looks the best with winglets?

Answer this question (there is no poll due to the vast amount of possible answers) and even post a picture of the aircraft if you wish.

Thanks for reading and Enjoy!

[Dennis]

Perhaps the most dramatic change with winglets is for the 757 followed by the 767. I guess that when it's a standard, it's not SO noticeable as opposed to when it's an add-on (like on the 757 and 767).

I suppose raked winglets are also good looking but they aren't visible unless you're under, inside, or over the aircraft.

[Delta320]

I really like the 737NG and 757 with winglets on them.

[sanins192]

The 777-300ER's raked wing tips look really good. I am also a fan of the 767's new wing tips. I didn't think I'd like them but I do.

[Samuel Arnold]

777-300ER and 767-400ER's have fabulous raked wing tips, so will the 787 and 748i.

I also like the 767's new blended winglets, especially those on Air New Zealand's aircraft.

[goleafsgo]

Embraer E170/190

[Aaron Robinson]

Answer this question (there is no poll due to the vast amount of possible answers) and even post a picture of the aircraft if you wish.

In fact, we did have such a poll, years ago.

Which aircraft has the best winglet?
Boeing 747-400 - 23 (25%)
Airbus A319/A320/A321 - 17 (18%)
Boeing 737-700/800 - 16 (17%)
Airbus A330/A340 - 11 (12%)
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 - 9 (10%)
Embraer ERJ-170/190 - 7 (8%)
Boeing 767-400ER - 5 (5%)
Canadair Regional Jet - 4 (4%)

Clearly this poll overlooked the ERJ-145XR.

[DMM200]

Answer this question (there is no poll due to the vast amount of possible answers) and even post a picture of the aircraft if you wish.

In fact, we did have such a poll, years ago.

Which aircraft has the best winglet?
Boeing 747-400 - 23 (25%)
Airbus A319/A320/A321 - 17 (18%)
Boeing 737-700/800 - 16 (17%)
Airbus A330/A340 - 11 (12%)
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 - 9 (10%)
Embraer ERJ-170/190 - 7 (8%)
Boeing 767-400ER - 5 (5%)
Canadair Regional Jet - 4 (4%)

Clearly this poll overlooked the ERJ-145XR.

This was also before the whole blended winglet phenomenon/trend became apparent. Just to give a major example, the 757 for instance isn't on that list.

[Carlo]

I quite like the look of the ERJ-145XR's winglets.

Not really a fan of the 737NGs, as they look too big in relation to the aicraft. Same thing for the new 767 winglets.