planefyi 0.1.1

Aircraft models and specifications API client — planefyi.com

planefyi

Python API client for aircraft data. Look up aircraft models by ICAO type designator, compare performance specifications (range, speed, ceiling), explore manufacturer families (Airbus A320, Boeing 737), and query engine configurations — all from PlaneFYI, an aircraft encyclopedia covering commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft.

PlaneFYI catalogs aircraft type designators, manufacturer lineages, performance envelopes (MTOW, range, cruise speed, service ceiling), seating configurations, engine types, and first flight dates — used by aviation enthusiasts, flight sim developers, and airline analytics platforms.

Explore aircraft at planefyi.com — browse by manufacturer, search by type code, and compare specifications.

Table of Contents

• Install
• Quick Start
• What You Can Do
  • Aircraft Families
  • Performance Specifications
  • Engine Configurations
  • ICAO Type Designators
• Command-Line Interface
• MCP Server (Claude, Cursor, Windsurf)
• REST API Client
• API Reference
• Learn More About Aircraft
• Also Available
• Transport FYI Family
• License

Install

pip install planefyi                # Core (zero deps)
pip install "planefyi[cli]"         # + Command-line interface
pip install "planefyi[mcp]"         # + MCP server for AI assistants
pip install "planefyi[api]"         # + HTTP client for planefyi.com API
pip install "planefyi[all]"         # Everything

Quick Start

from planefyi.api import PlaneFYI

with PlaneFYI() as api:
    # Look up an aircraft model
    a350 = api.get_aircraft("airbus-a350-900")
    print(a350["icao_code"])        # A359
    print(a350["manufacturer"])     # Airbus
    print(a350["range_km"])         # 15,000 km
    print(a350["max_passengers"])   # 440

    # List aircraft by manufacturer
    airbus = api.list_aircraft(manufacturer="airbus")
    for a in airbus:
        print(f"{a['icao_code']} — {a['name']}")

    # Search aircraft
    results = api.search("787")

What You Can Do

Aircraft Families

Commercial aircraft are organized into families — groups of variants sharing a common fuselage design. The Airbus A320 family (A318/A319/A320/A321) and Boeing 737 family (737-700/800/900/MAX) are the world's most-produced narrowbody families, while the A350 and B787 represent the current generation of widebody aircraft.

Family	Variants	Category	Typical Range
Airbus A220	A220-100, A220-300	Narrowbody	3,400-6,300 km
Airbus A320	A318, A319, A320, A321	Narrowbody	3,100-7,400 km
Airbus A330	A330-200, A330-300, A330-800/900neo	Widebody	10,800-13,300 km
Airbus A350	A350-900, A350-1000	Widebody	15,000-16,100 km
Boeing 737	737-700/800/900, MAX 7/8/9/10	Narrowbody	5,600-7,100 km
Boeing 777	777-200/300, 777X	Widebody	9,700-16,090 km
Boeing 787	787-8, 787-9, 787-10	Widebody	11,700-14,100 km
Embraer E-Jet	E170, E175, E190, E195	Regional	2,200-4,500 km

from planefyi.api import PlaneFYI

with PlaneFYI() as api:
    # Browse aircraft by manufacturer
    boeing = api.list_aircraft(manufacturer="boeing")
    for aircraft in boeing:
        print(f"{aircraft['name']}: range {aircraft.get('range_km', 'N/A')} km")

    # Get all manufacturers
    manufacturers = api.list_manufacturers()

Learn more: Aircraft Directory · Glossary

Performance Specifications

Aircraft performance is defined by key metrics: Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) determines payload capacity, range defines non-stop distance capability, cruise speed affects block time, and service ceiling sets the maximum operating altitude.

Metric	Unit	Determines
MTOW	kg/lbs	Max payload + fuel capacity
Range	km/nm	Non-stop distance capability
Cruise Speed	Mach/km/h	Block time, fuel efficiency
Service Ceiling	ft/m	Maximum flight altitude
Wingspan	m/ft	Gate compatibility (ICAO code)
Cabin Width	m/ft	Seat layout (single vs twin aisle)

from planefyi.api import PlaneFYI

with PlaneFYI() as api:
    # Compare two aircraft
    a350 = api.get_aircraft("airbus-a350-900")
    b787 = api.get_aircraft("boeing-787-9")
    print(f"A350: {a350.get('range_km')} km range, Mach {a350.get('cruise_mach')}")
    print(f"B787: {b787.get('range_km')} km range, Mach {b787.get('cruise_mach')}")

Learn more: Aircraft Specifications · Guides

Engine Configurations

Aircraft engines are categorized by type (turbofan, turboprop, piston) and mounting (underwing, rear-fuselage, integrated). Modern turbofans are identified by bypass ratio — high-bypass engines (5:1+) power commercial jets for fuel efficiency, while low-bypass engines power military fighters for raw thrust.

Engine Type	Application	Examples
High-bypass turbofan	Commercial jets	CFM LEAP, PW GTF, GE9X
Low-bypass turbofan	Military fighters	F110, EJ200
Turboprop	Regional/cargo	PW150A, CT7
Turboshaft	Helicopters	T700, Arrius

from planefyi.api import PlaneFYI

with PlaneFYI() as api:
    aircraft = api.get_aircraft("boeing-777-300er")
    print(f"Engines: {aircraft.get('engine_type')}")
    print(f"Engine count: {aircraft.get('engine_count')}")

Learn more: Aircraft Data · Glossary

ICAO Type Designators

Every aircraft type is assigned an ICAO type designator — a 2-4 character code used in flight plans. The code encodes manufacturer and variant: A320 (Airbus A320), B738 (Boeing 737-800), E195 (Embraer 195). The ICAO wake turbulence category (L/M/H/J) determines required separation distances.

Wake Category	MTOW	Example Types
L (Light)	<7,000 kg	C172, PA28
M (Medium)	7,000-136,000 kg	A320, B738, E195
H (Heavy)	>136,000 kg	B777, A350, B747
J (Super)	A380 only	A388

from planefyi.api import PlaneFYI

with PlaneFYI() as api:
    # Search by ICAO type designator
    results = api.search("A359")
    aircraft = results[0]
    print(f"{aircraft['icao_code']} — {aircraft['name']}")
    print(f"Wake category: {aircraft.get('wake_category')}")

Learn more: Type Designators · API Documentation

Command-Line Interface

pip install "planefyi[cli]"

planefyi aircraft airbus-a350-900          # Aircraft details
planefyi search "737 MAX"                  # Search aircraft
planefyi manufacturer boeing               # All Boeing aircraft
planefyi manufacturers                     # List all manufacturers

MCP Server (Claude, Cursor, Windsurf)

pip install "planefyi[mcp]"

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "planefyi": {
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": ["--from", "planefyi[mcp]", "python", "-m", "planefyi.mcp_server"]
        }
    }
}

REST API Client

from planefyi.api import PlaneFYI

with PlaneFYI() as api:
    aircraft = api.get_aircraft("airbus-a350-900")      # GET /api/v1/aircraft/airbus-a350-900/
    boeing = api.list_aircraft(manufacturer="boeing")     # GET /api/v1/aircraft/?manufacturer=boeing
    manufacturers = api.list_manufacturers()              # GET /api/v1/manufacturers/
    results = api.search("787")                          # GET /api/v1/search/?q=787

Example

curl -s "https://planefyi.com/api/v1/aircraft/airbus-a350-900/"

{
    "slug": "airbus-a350-900",
    "name": "Airbus A350-900",
    "icao_code": "A359",
    "manufacturer": "Airbus",
    "category": "Widebody",
    "range_km": 15000
}

Full API documentation at planefyi.com/developers/.

API Reference

Function	Description
api.get_aircraft(slug)	Aircraft details (specs, engine, dimensions)
api.list_aircraft(manufacturer)	List aircraft, optionally by manufacturer
api.list_manufacturers()	All aircraft manufacturers
api.get_manufacturer(slug)	Manufacturer details with aircraft list
api.search(query)	Search by name, ICAO code, or manufacturer

Learn More About Aircraft

• Browse: Aircraft Directory · Manufacturers
• Guides: Aviation Guides · Glossary
• API: REST API Docs · OpenAPI Spec

Also Available

Platform	Install	Link
npm	npm install planefyi	npm
MCP	uvx --from "planefyi[mcp]" python -m planefyi.mcp_server	Config

Transport FYI Family

Part of the FYIPedia open-source developer tools ecosystem — airports, airlines, aircraft, and railways.

Package	PyPI	npm	Description
airportfyi	PyPI	npm	4,500+ airports, IATA/ICAO codes, routes — airportfyi.com
airlinefyi	PyPI	npm	Airlines, fleets, alliances, routes — airlinefyi.com
planefyi	PyPI	npm	Aircraft models, specifications, manufacturers — planefyi.com
trainfyi	PyPI	npm	Railway stations, train routes, rail networks — trainfyi.com

License

MIT