Boeing 727

The Boeing 727 is a narrow-body, three-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes for short- to medium-range routes.

The Boeing 727 is a narrow-body, three-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes for short- to medium-range routes. Introduced in the 1960s, it became one of the most widely used commercial jets of its era and was produced until 1984. It is notable for its rear-mounted trijet configuration and T-tail design.

Design

The 727 is a narrow-body airliner with three rear-mounted engines and a T-tail. Its engines are mounted at the rear fuselage, with the centre engine fed through an S-duct beneath the tail. The configuration was intended to improve performance on shorter routes and from airports with more limited facilities.

Development and production

Boeing developed the 727 in the early 1960s, and it entered service in 1964. Production continued until 1984, ending after 1,832 aircraft had been built. The aircraft was designed for short- and medium-range service and could operate from smaller airports.

Variants

The main production versions were the 727-100 and the stretched 727-200. The latter increased passenger capacity and became the more numerous of the two variants. The 727 typically carried around 106 passengers in two classes, with higher-density layouts available on some versions.

Performance and capacity

Published specifications vary by version and source, but typical figures include a cruise speed near 960 km/h, a range of about 4,170 km, and seating for roughly 106 passengers in a two-class configuration.