IATA TU3ICAO T134

Tupolev Tu-134

Tupolev

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Soviet short-haul twin-jet workhorse of the Eastern Bloc.

First flight

1963

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

72–80 passengers

Range

2,100 km

Engines

Two rear-mounted Soloviev D-30 turbofan engines

Status

Mostly retired

The Tupolev Tu-134 is a Soviet-designed narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner developed in the early 1960s as a successor to the Tu-124. It features a distinctive rear-mounted engine configuration, a T-tail, and was designed to serve short and medium-haul routes across the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. The aircraft entered service with Aeroflot in 1967 and became one of the most widely used jetliners in the Soviet bloc, with over 850 units produced. It was exported to numerous Warsaw Pact nations and other Soviet-aligned states, becoming a staple of Eastern European aviation for decades. By the 2000s and 2010s, the Tu-134 was largely retired from commercial service due to aging airframes, noise regulations, and fuel inefficiency. A small number continued to fly in cargo, government, and military roles into the 2020s.

Notable operators

Aeroflot was the primary operator, with significant fleets also operated by LOT Polish Airlines, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, and numerous Soviet successor-state carriers.

Notable facts

›First flew on 29 July 1963 as a prototype derived from the Tu-124.
›Over 850 aircraft were built at the Kharkov Aviation Production Association.
›The Tu-134A variant introduced more powerful Soloviev D-30 engines and an extended fuselage.
›Russia banned Tu-134 operations on most commercial routes in 2012 following noise and safety concerns.
›The aircraft was a close contemporary and rival of the Douglas DC-9 and BAC One-Eleven in concept.