IATA 727

Boeing 727

Boeing

TravelerPulse profile

Boeing's iconic tri-jet workhorse of the jet age.

First flight

1963

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

149–189 passengers (typical)

Range

4,170 km

Engines

Three Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines, rear-mounted (two on fuselage sides, one through S-duct in tail)

Status

Mostly retired; some still in cargo service

The Boeing 727 is a narrow-body, three-engine commercial jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Designed to serve shorter domestic routes and airports with less-developed infrastructure, it featured a distinctive rear-mounted engine configuration and a high-lift wing system that allowed operations from smaller runways. The aircraft entered service in 1964 and became one of the best-selling jetliners of its era, with over 1,800 units produced before production ended in 1984. Its versatility made it popular with airlines worldwide for both passenger and cargo operations. By the 2000s and 2010s, most major carriers had retired the 727 in favor of more fuel-efficient twin-engine aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family. However, some examples continue to operate in freighter and charter roles with smaller operators.

Notable operators

Major operators included United Airlines, American Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, Delta Air Lines, and TWA.

Notable facts

›The 727 was Boeing's first trijet and the first commercial jet to use rear-mounted engines.
›Over 1,800 aircraft were built between 1963 and 1984, making it the best-selling jetliner at the time of its production end.
›It was the first commercial aircraft to carry one billion passengers.
›The 727's triple-slotted flaps allowed it to operate from shorter runways than other jets of its era.
›The -200 variant, introduced in 1967, was stretched to carry more passengers and became the most popular version.