dirkdigler
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Posts
- 143
American Airlines Retires Its Last Boeing 727
MIAMI, Apr 30, 2002 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- American Airlines will operate its final Boeing 727 passenger flight today, marking the retirement of an airline industry workhorse by its largest operator. American operated the biggest 727 fleet, at one time flying 182 of the tri-jets.
American employees, customers and reporters will gather this evening at Miami International Airport terminal B to watch the final four 727 flights from Miami, all departing Miami between 7:10 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. EDT. The last 727 departure from Miami will be AA flight 926 to Raleigh/Durham, which will receive a traditional water cannon retirement salute on taxi-out. Passengers on flight 926 will receive certificates commemorating their historic final 727 flight on American.
The 727 was significant to the development of today's air transportation system. The earliest model 727s entered service in 1964, helping bring the first pure jet service to many smaller communities. A unique high-lift wing design, its rakish "T-Tail," and three powerful aft-mounted turbofan engines allowed the 727 to economically serve airports too small for the larger first- generation jetliners, like the four-engine Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. There were 1,832 Boeing 727s produced -- a production run surpassed only by the 2,800 Boeing 737s built thus far.
"The popular Boeing 727 is a landmark aircraft design, often called 'The DC-3 of the Jet Age' because of its versatility and performance," said Gerard Arpey, American's president and chief operating officer. "The 727 served American's customers dependably and comfortably throughout our system for many years. We salute the retiring 727 for its contribution to American's success."
American is replacing its 727s with a newer Boeing -- the 737-800 twin- jet. This "New Generation" 737-800 flies approximately the same number of passengers farther and higher, yet consumes about 60 percent less fuel per passenger than the 727 tri-jet it replaces. The 727 is the last aircraft in American's fleet to require a three-person flight crew. Automation on newer airliners replaced the necessity for the flight engineer position.
MIAMI, Apr 30, 2002 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- American Airlines will operate its final Boeing 727 passenger flight today, marking the retirement of an airline industry workhorse by its largest operator. American operated the biggest 727 fleet, at one time flying 182 of the tri-jets.
American employees, customers and reporters will gather this evening at Miami International Airport terminal B to watch the final four 727 flights from Miami, all departing Miami between 7:10 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. EDT. The last 727 departure from Miami will be AA flight 926 to Raleigh/Durham, which will receive a traditional water cannon retirement salute on taxi-out. Passengers on flight 926 will receive certificates commemorating their historic final 727 flight on American.
The 727 was significant to the development of today's air transportation system. The earliest model 727s entered service in 1964, helping bring the first pure jet service to many smaller communities. A unique high-lift wing design, its rakish "T-Tail," and three powerful aft-mounted turbofan engines allowed the 727 to economically serve airports too small for the larger first- generation jetliners, like the four-engine Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. There were 1,832 Boeing 727s produced -- a production run surpassed only by the 2,800 Boeing 737s built thus far.
"The popular Boeing 727 is a landmark aircraft design, often called 'The DC-3 of the Jet Age' because of its versatility and performance," said Gerard Arpey, American's president and chief operating officer. "The 727 served American's customers dependably and comfortably throughout our system for many years. We salute the retiring 727 for its contribution to American's success."
American is replacing its 727s with a newer Boeing -- the 737-800 twin- jet. This "New Generation" 737-800 flies approximately the same number of passengers farther and higher, yet consumes about 60 percent less fuel per passenger than the 727 tri-jet it replaces. The 727 is the last aircraft in American's fleet to require a three-person flight crew. Automation on newer airliners replaced the necessity for the flight engineer position.