Boeing 727
Role
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Narrow-body jet airliner
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National origin
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United States
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Manufacturer
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Boeing Commercial Airplanes
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First Flight
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February 9, 1963
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Introduction
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February 1, 1964 with Eastern
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Status
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Out of production, in service
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Primary users
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FedEx Express, Capital Cargo International Airlines, Kelowna
Flightcraft Air Charter
|
Produced
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1963-1984
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Number built
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1,831
|
Unit Cost
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$4,250,000 initially, $22,000,000 by 1982
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The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body three-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It has a capacity of 149 to 189 passengers and a range of 2,400 to 2,700 nautical miles (4,400 to 5,000 km), depending on variant. Intended for short-haul routes, the 727 is capable of operating out of restricted length runways and smaller airports. Its trijet design features three Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines at the rear section of the aircraft, along with a T-tail. One engine each is mounted on either side of the rear fuselage, while a center-installed engine connects through an S-duct to an air inlet mounted at the junction of the tail and the upper fuselage.
The 727 followed the success of the 707 quad-jet airliner, with which it shares its upper fuselage cross-section and cockpit design. The original 727-100 completed its maiden flight in 1963 and entered service with Eastern Air Lines the following year. The stretched 727-200 first flew in 1967 and entered service with Northeast Airlines later that year. During its production run, the 727 became a mainstay of airlines' domestic route networks, and was also used on short- and medium-range international routes. Passenger, freighter, and convertible versions of the 727 were built.
For over a decade, more 727s were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984, a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced. The 727's sales record for the most jet airliners ever sold was broken in the early 1990s by the newer 737. In August 2011, 23 examples of the 727-100 and 227 examples of the 727-200 were in airline service. The onset of airport noise regulations has resulted in 727s being equipped with hush kits to meet operating requirements.
