IATA T20ICAO T204

Tupolev Tu-204

Tupolev

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Russia's modern narrow-body jet successor to the Tu-154.

First flight

1989

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

196–210 (single class)

Range

4,300 km

Engines

Two Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofans (or Rolls-Royce RB211 on Tu-204-120 variant)

Status

In service

The Tupolev Tu-204 is a Russian twin-engine narrow-body jetliner developed by the Tupolev design bureau as a replacement for the aging Tu-154 trijets. Development began in the late Soviet era, and the aircraft entered service in the mid-1990s with Vnukovo Airlines. It was designed to meet Western-equivalent standards and can be powered by either Russian or Western engines depending on the variant. Several variants have been produced, including the Tu-204-100, Tu-204-300 (shortened fuselage), and the Tu-214, which is a higher-gross-weight derivative built by KAPO in Kazan. The aircraft incorporates a modern glass cockpit, fly-by-wire flight controls, and supercritical wing technology, representing a significant modernization over its Soviet predecessors. Despite competitive specifications, the Tu-204 family achieved limited commercial success, with most operators being Russian carriers and a small number of export customers. Production numbers have remained low, and the type has faced challenges competing against established Western counterparts like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.

Notable operators

Major operators have included Rossiya Airlines, Red Wings Airlines, Cubana de Aviación, and the Russian government special flight detachment.

Notable facts

›The Tu-214 variant is used as a VIP transport by the Russian government, including as a presidential aircraft.
›The Tu-204-120 variant was powered by Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines, making it attractive to Western lessors.
›Cubana de Aviación was one of the few export customers, operating Tu-204-100E aircraft.
›The aircraft features a supercritical wing design and full fly-by-wire flight controls.
›Total production numbers have remained in the low hundreds, far below initial projections.