The Boeing 767 is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a conventional tail unit with a single fin and rudder. It has a retractable tricycle landing gear and is powered by two wing mounted turbofan engines. With the 707 aging, Boeing decided to offer a mid-size wide-body aircraft to fit in between the 727/737/757 and the 747. The 767 has a fuselage width of 15 ft 6 in (472.44 cm) that is midway between the two other aircraft.

The 767 has a seat-to-aisle ratio of an efficient 3.5 seats per aisle, allowing for quicker food service and quicker exit of the airplane than many other jetliners, which typically have four to six seats per aisle. There are three variants of the 767, which were launched on three separate occasions. Although there are a total of three variants, several versions have been produced.