How powerful is the biggest jet engine?

• Early jet engines

The first jet engines on the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 produced just 13,000lbs of thrust or 20,000hp. The engine intakes were small and an air hostess could barely squeeze in for a publicity photo. Boeing’s first 747 jumbo had much bigger engines which produced about 45,000lbs of thrust. The most recent model, the 747-8, has engines that produce 66,000lbs of thrust.

• Boeing 777

To power the 777, General Electric opted to build an all new engine the GE90. Initial thrust was 96,000lbs, later increased to 115,000lbs to power the larger and longer ranged 777-300ER and 777-200LR. The GE90 is in fact as wide as the 737 cabin!