Proficiency in tracheal intubation is a difficult skill to acquire, especially when using a rigid laryngoscope. We compared success in tracheal intubation by novices using an optical laryngoscope with that achieved with a rigid laryngoscope. After structured training in laryngoscopy and 5 consecutive successful intubation attempts using both the optical and rigid laryngoscope on a high-fidelity mannequin, trainees were randomly assigned to perform their first 2 tracheal intubations using either an optical or rigid laryngoscope using the standard Macintosh blade. The success rate for intubation was higher using the optical laryngoscope (23 of 30 attempts) compared with the rigid laryngoscope (8 of 30 attempts, P < 0.001). Intubation time was shorter using the optical laryngoscope (35 seconds; 95% confidence interval, 27-44 seconds) compared with the rigid laryngoscope (75 seconds; 95% confidence interval, 59-90 seconds) in successfully intubated patients (P < 0.001). Our study demonstrated greater successful tracheal intubation and reduced intubation time during the first two attempted intubations by novices using an optical compared with a rigid laryngoscope.