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Fast Facts: Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 family includes the 727-100, 727-200 and the 727-200 Freighter. The trijet passenger airplane provides jet luxury on shorter routes.
On Dec. 5, 1960, Boeing announced it would build the 727, a three-engine jet, and United Air Lines and Eastern Air Lines each ordered 40 airplanes.
Boeing delivered the first 727-100 on Oct. 29, 1963, to United Air Lines under provisional FAA certificate.
On February 1, 1964, Eastern Air Lines entered the 727-100 into revenue service. United Air Lines also began 727 service in February 1964.
Boeing pioneered the triple-slotted flaps, which were introduced on the 727. With triple-slotted trailing edge flaps and new leading-edge slats, the 727 had unprecedented low-speed landing and takeoff performance and could accommodate smaller airports than the 707.
On April, 6, 1983, Boeing delivered the last 727 passenger airplane to USAir.
After 22 years of production, on Sept. 18, 1984, Boeing delivered the last 727--a 727-200 Freighter--to Federal Express.
Between 1962 and 1984, Boeing built 1,832 727s in all versions.
727-200
Continually improving and advancing aerodynamic and structural technologies-- as well as serving customers' needs--Boeing announced that the 727-200s would be available for deliveries in 1967.
Boeing delivered the first 727-200 on Dec. 11, 1967, to Northeast Airlines, which entered it into service on Dec. 14, 1967.
The 727-200 and Advanced 727-200 featured structural improvements, a more powerful engine, greater fuel capacity, improved payload and range capabilities and better runway performance.
An airplane of 'firsts'
On Dec. 5, 1977, the worldwide 727 fleet carried its 1 billionth passenger, a first for a commercial aircraft. Today, the number has reached well over 4 billion.
First "quick change" airplane--operated with passenger configuration during the day and capability to be converted to all-cargo at night.
First trijet (three engines) to fly the North Atlantic with passengers, carrying charter loads between Canadian and European cities.
Pratt & Whitney designed the JT8D turbofan engine specifically for the 727--the first time in commercial aviation that a jet engine was tailor-made for an airplane.
First jet airplane considered quiet enough to use LaGuardia Airport in New York. Two United States trunk operators began service June 1, 1964, from LaGuardia--both using 727s.
For more information on the Boeing 727 family, visit: www.boeing.com/commercial/727family/index.html