Boeing was the first company to venture into the big jet ("heavy" in aviation parlance) category with its hugely successful 747 – still one of the most successful large aircraft ever built with more than 1,400 now having been produced and a new version being developed (747-800) due to come into service in 2010. The first 747 (100 series) was rolled out in 1968 and made its first commercial flight in 1970.

McDonnell-Douglas (originally two companies that merged in 1967 – and then with Boeing in 1997) produced its DC-10, another three engine plane, though uniquely at the time two engines were wing-mounted with the third in the tail. The last aircraft built was in 1989 by which time 386 had been sold to airlines and another 60 supplied to the USAF.

Lockheed (originally founded in 1912 but merged with Martin Marietta in 1995 to become Lockheed Martin) came in with its tri-engined L-1011 in 1972, constructing 250 of them in total. The plane had two wing-mounted engines with one in the the tail. It was to be the last commercial plane developed by Lockheed.

Boeing went on to produce its 757, a single-aisle long haul aircraft capable of seating up to 240. The 757 programme came to an end in 2005 when Boeing delivered the 1,050th aircraft, the last of this model.

Following the 757 came the wide-bodied 767, a twin-aisle layout allowing for a passenger load of up to 300. The first model entered service in 1982 and has been another huge success though construction of this model has now come to an end. Then came the 777, launched in 1995 when United Airlines flew the first commercial flight. The 777 is a beautifully designed aircraft and it's interesting to note that it was the first Boeing aircraft to be totally designed in a 3D model on a computer, so no mock-up was necessary.

Coming soon from Boeing will be the 787 – Dreamliner, an aircraft capable of carrying 200-250 passengers in a twin-aisle configuration in the 7,500-8,000 mile range, though a couple of other designs in the same 787 family are meant for shorter routes of up to 3,000 miles, but with 300 passengers. It is planned to be more fuel-efficient and slightly faster than today's big jets, giving it a distinct advantage in this sector. It is also a big change in design for Boeing for about 50% of the aircraft will be made of composite materials.

And then came the biggest of them all - the Airbus A380 - Superjumbo. See our special feature.