AirlinesJul 11, 12:00 PM
Allegiant to Retire Sun Country Brand by Early 2028 After FAA Merger Approval
The two carriers officially merged in May but are maintaining separate operations for the time being.
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AirlinesJul 10, 9:31 PM
Delta plans fleet growth with Boeing 737 Max 10 and 787-10 to boost efficiency
Executives plan what they call “efficient” growth with the new Boeing models. Delta Air Lines will use both the 737 Max 10 and 787-10 for “efficient” growth by replacing older, smaller aircraft with the larger, more capable models, commercial chief Joe Esposito said during a quarterly earnings call on 10 July. “Larger airplanes make us more efficient and give us that extra capacity,” he says. The plans are the latest in Delta’s decade-plus fleet upgauging programme that began with the replacement of 50-seat regional jets with the Boeing 717 in the mid-2010s. This continued into the 2020s with the replacement of ageing McDonnell Douglas MD-88s and MD-90s with new Airbus A321s and, later, A321neos. The upgauging programme has, by all measures, been a success. Delta is the margin-leading network carrier in the USA and the industry has largely followed in its footsteps. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and United Airlines have all moved to replace smaller aircraft with larger narrowbodies over the past decade. The first step for Delta begins in 2027 with the arrival of the long-delayed 737 Max 10. The airline ordered up to 130 aircraft at the Farnborough air show in 2022 with deliveries from 2025, however, certification delays pushed back the first delivery to next year. “We expect to see that in Delta colours next year,” Ed Bastian, the chief executive of Delta, says on the Max 10. The airline expects up to 27 aircraft in 2027. Boeing has indicated that Max 10 certification will follow closely after the Max 7, which could receive US Federal Aviation Administration sign-off as soon as this month. Once the Max 10 begins arriving, Delta will use the aircraft that seats roughly 190 passengers in a standard two-class layout to replace older 717s and 757s, says Bastian. Alaska, American and United also have orders for the Max 10, though Canada’s WestJet is expected to take delivery of the first aircraft . Delta’s first of 30 787-10s is not scheduled to arrive until 2031. When deliveries begin, the airline will use it to replace older Boeing 767s, including both -300ERs and -400ERs, particularly on transatlantic flights, Esposito says. “When you think about the 787 that replaces a 767, that's a significant amount of efficiency and margin premium,” he says. “You're going from 30% premium seating in a 767 to over 50% in a 787, and it can handle twice the cargo. The continent of Europe falls into the bucket of domestic efficiency but on the widebody side.” The 787-10 can seat up to 375 passengers in a standard two-class layout, though United configures its -10s with just 318 seats. Delta’s 767-300ERs seat up to 216 passengers and its 767-400ERs seat 238 passengers.
Aviation SafetyJul 10, 8:41 PM
Double engine flameout doomed NetJets Citation Latitude near Laredo highway landing
Damage to fuel system and engine starter generator under scrutiny after Texas-bound NetJets aircraft attempted emergency diversion. US investigators have disclosed that both engines on a Cessna 680A Citation Latitude flamed out while it was attempting an emergency approach to Laredo, resulting in its crashing fatally on a highway . They are working to understand the significance of damage to the fuel system and engine starter generator discovered during inspection of the wreckage. The NetJets aircraft's crew — en route from Los Cabos, Mexico, to Austin, Texas, on 16 June — had informed Houston area centre of a generator failure and multiple other system problems, including a low fuel level, and requested diversion to Laredo. Houston controllers vectored the aircraft for a runway 36L approach to Laredo, with a 270° turn to allow it to reduce altitude. But on final approach the jet's right-hand engine flamed out followed, a few seconds later, by the left engine, says the National Transportation Safety Board. The jet was powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306D1 engines. While the captain was flying, the first officer asked Laredo tower whether there were open fields on the right, but was informed that there was only a highway. This north-south highway, known as the Bob Bullock Loop, is located about 1.5km east of the 36L axis, and the crew aligned the jet with the northbound lane in a bid to touch down. Video evidence suggests "fire flaring up around the airplane" while it was on final approach, says the inquiry in preliminary findings. "As the airplane touched down in the northbound lanes of traffic, it sheared off several light poles, struck a vehicle, and came to rest straddling the right-hand edge of an overpass," it adds. The aircraft's fuselage rolled onto its right side and, after the main cabin door was opened, five of the six occupants emerged. One of the jet's four passengers did not survive. Damage to the fuel tube assembly and fuel pressure switch NTSB Investigators have revealed that the crew had reported an unusual intermittent vibration early in the flight, and sought advice from NetJets, but were ultimately cleared to proceed to the destination. As the jet neared the Mexico-US border, however, the crew began to receive alerts about the fuel system — initially cautions about low right-hand fuel pressure, before indications of electrical issues and then a low-fuel warning — prompting the crew to declare an emergency with Monterrey area centre, which handed the flight to Houston. Examination of the wreckage found the right engine fuel pressure switch was separated from the fuel tube assembly, with a fracture of a weld joint between the two. Several fuel tube assembly clamps were found fractured. The inquiry also discovered that the right-hand engine starter generator was missing "multiple" screws from its outer housing. This generator had been overhauled in April last year, and had about 57h of time remaining. When the generator was removed, its shaft was found bent and the cooling fan fractured, while several cooling-fan blades and ball bearings were discovered. The cooling-fan shroud also contained "circumferential scoring marks". Investigators have transferred the starter generator, fuel tube assembly, and other components to the safety board's Washington laboratory for analysis.
CargoJul 10, 8:18 PM
FAA and BETA Technologies Launch eVTOL Integration Pilot Program with First Electric Cargo Flights
The FAA and Transportation Department's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program ( eIPP ) has begun operational flying. BETA Technologies said Friday that it conducted the program's first electric conventional-takeoff-and-landing flights using its ALIA CX300 aircraft to transport manufactured organs in Maryland and Virginia. Medical Missions Open Program United Therapeutics took part in the flights alongside BETA and the Multistate Collaborative eIPP National Integration Complex. The missions were intended to demonstrate how electric aircraft could support time-sensitive medical transportation between existing airports. The CX300 uses a runway for takeoffs and landings. BETA is pursuing FAA certification for the aircraft and has demonstrated a range of 337 nautical miles. Flights by the company's vertical-takeoff ALIA model are expected to follow conventional aircraft operations under the program. Trials Span 26 States The FAA and Transportation Department selected eight projects for the program in March . The projects cover 26 states and include passenger transportation, cargo deliveries, medical response and autonomous-aircraft operations. BETA was selected to participate in seven projects and expects to operate in at least 10 states. The program is expected to run for at least three years. The FAA plans to use data collected during the operations to develop regulations for integrating electric and other advanced aircraft into the national airspace system.
SustainabilityJul 10, 7:52 PM
Gulfstream and Rolls-Royce Complete First High-Altitude Flights Using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Gulfstream Aerospace and Rolls-Royce said this week that they completed a high-altitude flight-test campaign examining the emissions produced by 100% sustainable aviation fuel at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. A Gulfstream G800 powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines conducted the flights alongside a modified G700. The G700 served as an airborne laboratory and measured particulate emissions and atmospheric conditions while flying in close formation. The campaign also marked the first G800 flight using 100% SAF. [Credit: Gulfstream] Researchers compared conventional Jet-A, low-sulfur Jet-A and 100% hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids SAF . Rolls-Royce said preliminary results showed a measurable reduction in particles that contribute to contrail formation. The FAA, NASA, German Aerospace Center and Missouri University of Science and Technology participated in the project. Although the test used unblended SAF, current fuel standards generally limit its commercial use to blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel, depending on the production pathway. Rolls-Royce said the campaign data will help inform future fuel standards and that demonstrating its current engines can operate on 100% SAF lays groundwork for certification.
Aviation SafetyJul 10, 7:00 PM
FAA Sets Certification Rules for Electra EL9 Ultra Short Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
The FAA has approved a set of airworthiness and environmental regulations that will apply to the Electra EL9 Ultra Short, marking a significant step toward the introduction of hybrid-electric aircraft. Electra this week said the agency closed the G-1 issue paper for the EL9, which is intended for operations out of soccer field-sized spaces requiring only 150 feet for takeoff and landing. The approved G-1 establishes a formal certification basis for the aircraft under Part 23 regulations. In other words, it creates a framework for Electra to prove that the EL9 can meet the same safety standards required of existing commercial aircraft. The company said it submitted its Part 23 type certification application in November. Beyond outlining which airworthiness and environmental regulations—such as those governing aircraft noise—will apply to the EL9, the G-1 lays out any special conditions or equivalent level of safety (ELOS) findings that Electra is required to meet. Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, said in a statement that the milestone "reflects the hard work and productive collaboration between Electra and the FAA, who are working together to make the future of aviation real." Electra said the G-1 establishes the "regulatory foundation" for the EL9's novel features, including its blown-lift propulsion system that redirects airflows over large flaps and ailerons and into the ground. That allows the model to take off at a leisurely 35 knots, hence the low runway requirement. The G-1 also covers the aircraft's distributed electric propulsion system—comprising eight Evolito electric engines spread across the front of the wing—and digital fly-by-wire control system. The latter is built around Honeywell flight control computers and manipulates aerodynamic surfaces as well as the electric motors. It is designed to reduce pilot workload and support handling at low speeds. Electra's certification progress could have implications for the broader electric aviation industry. The firm joins Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Beta Technologies as some of the only developers of passenger-carrying electric aircraft to obtain G-1 approval. Airbus is also developing a hybrid propulsion system that combines electricity with hydrogen, producing water as the only byproduct, though the project is in the nascent stages. Other competitors, such as Maeve Aerospace, have struggled to stay afloat . NASA in particular views Electra's technology as potentially transformational. The space agency picked the company for its Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative, asking it to develop the core technologies and design concepts for a new generation of all-electric commercial airliners. In June, Electra unveiled its concept for a hybrid-electric "double bubble" airliner that could fly up to 100 passengers. The partners will jointly study the concept, which is intended to improve fuel efficiency. What's Next? For Electra, the next phase of EL9 type certification will be the FAA's approval of a G-2 issue paper, which creates a "compliance checklist." Essentially, the G-2 describes how the EL9 will show compliance with each regulation that is outlined in the G-1 certification basis. "This stage will guide how Electra demonstrates that the aircraft meets the FAA-approved certification basis through engineering analysis, ground and flight testing, inspections, conformity activities, and certification data," said JP Stewart, Electra's senior vice president for product development. The company will also need to submit and receive approval for project-specific certification plans, which are non-legally binding, mutual statements of intent between the FAA and applicant that set expectations for the project. The idea is to hold each side accountable to its plans. After that, Electra will need to build and fly type-conforming aircraft internally. It has validated the aircraft's 150-foot ground roll with a two-seat demonstrator, the EL2 Goldfinch, but the EL9 has yet to fly. Electra anticipates the larger, flagship model's debut in 2027 or 2028. Then, Electra will need to complete more flying, this time with FAA personnel on board, during type inspection authorization (TIA). Once TIA is complete, and the agency has confirmed that the conforming aircraft meets the G-1 certification basis using the approved G-2 checklist, type certification can be formally issued. Per Electra, the company's team of engineers collectively has developed or certified more than 40 prior aircraft. The EL9 could be one of the first hybrid-electric aircraft to routinely fly passengers. At full capacity of 3,000 pounds, or a pilot plus nine passengers and 50 pounds of luggage each, it has a projected range of 330 nm, cruising at 175 knots. Per Electra, it will produce only 75 dBA of noise during takeoff and landing. Those features—combined with the ultra short takeoff and landing capability—are designed to open up operations away from airports. The EL9 is intended to use ultra-short "access points" that could be installed on rooftops, parking lots, fields, barges, malls, casinos, or even ski resorts. With access points, Electra estimates the EL9 could save travelers hours on more than 2,600 routes spanning 50 to 265 miles that are suboptimal for driving, but lack routine commercial air service. It believes it will need to produce 12,000 to 16,000 aircraft to meet demand for the first decade of its operations. Electra calls this vision " direct aviation ," and the company made significant progress toward realizing it this week after signing an agreement with Signature Aviation and UrbanV. The deal will see the partners explore the installation of access points across Signature's network of private aviation terminals. Beyond NASA, Signature, and UrbanV, the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy have all shown interest in the EL9.
Aviation SafetyJul 10, 5:48 PM
Experienced Pilot Disoriented in Night IFR Approach Crashes Short of Raleigh-Durham Runway
FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new episode of its popular Accident Case Study video series.
Airlines
More Airlines →AirlinesJul 11, 12:00 PM
Allegiant to Retire Sun Country Brand by Early 2028 After FAA Merger Approval
The two carriers officially merged in May but are maintaining separate operations for the time being.
AirlinesJul 11, 8:00 AM
AirAsia X ends widebody expansion, pivots to Airbus A321XLR single-aisle strategy
In mid-2026, Airbus was hit with a major decision from one of its long-standing customers. AirAsia X and Airbus reached a mutual agreement to remove the remaining 15 Airbus A330-900 aircraft from the manufacturer's backlog. The decision unravels a long-shelved widebody expansion plan that had previously been framed as the future of budget travel across the Asia-Pacific region. Now formally striking these twin-aisle flagships from its future alignment, the airline group has reached an undeniable conclusion: the economic realities of flying massive, multi-aisle jets on long-distance budget routes no longer make structural sense in a volatile global market.
AirlinesJul 11, 12:00 AM
Five Regional Aircraft Makers Drive Innovation In Sub-100-Seat Market In 2026
Across all types of routes, airlines are taking advantage of advancements in aerospace manufacturing to begin choosing different types of aircraft for shorter-duration flights. Finding the right balance between route frequency and fuel burn has renewed focus on the sub-100-seat market. Major airframe manufacturers chase larger narrowbody families, all the while several specialist builders remain intensely committed to this essential segment.
Business Aviation
More Business Aviation →
Business AviationJul 6, 2:00 AM
Bombardier Global 8000 Sets New Speed Benchmark as Fastest Civil Jet Since Concorde
The Bombardier Global 8000 is the fastest civil jet since Concorde, combining Mach 0.95 speed, 8,000-nm range, and record-setting performance.
Business AviationJul 3, 12:00 AM
Private Jet Charter Costs in 2026 Vary Widely by Aircraft Size and Hidden Fees
Private jet charter rates range from $2,000 to more than $20,000 per hour, but taxes, fees, discounts, and passenger count determine the true costs.
Business AviationJul 1, 8:00 PM
Gulfstream's G800 Sets New Speed and Distance Records in Business Jet Category
Manufacturer announced the milestone alongside its 800th city pair speed record, achieved by its new G800.
Aviation Safety
More Aviation Safety →Aviation SafetyJul 10, 8:41 PM
Double engine flameout doomed NetJets Citation Latitude near Laredo highway landing
Damage to fuel system and engine starter generator under scrutiny after Texas-bound NetJets aircraft attempted emergency diversion. US investigators have disclosed that both engines on a Cessna 680A Citation Latitude flamed out while it was attempting an emergency approach to Laredo, resulting in its crashing fatally on a highway . They are working to understand the significance of damage to the fuel system and engine starter generator discovered during inspection of the wreckage. The NetJets aircraft's crew — en route from Los Cabos, Mexico, to Austin, Texas, on 16 June — had informed Houston area centre of a generator failure and multiple other system problems, including a low fuel level, and requested diversion to Laredo. Houston controllers vectored the aircraft for a runway 36L approach to Laredo, with a 270° turn to allow it to reduce altitude. But on final approach the jet's right-hand engine flamed out followed, a few seconds later, by the left engine, says the National Transportation Safety Board. The jet was powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306D1 engines. While the captain was flying, the first officer asked Laredo tower whether there were open fields on the right, but was informed that there was only a highway. This north-south highway, known as the Bob Bullock Loop, is located about 1.5km east of the 36L axis, and the crew aligned the jet with the northbound lane in a bid to touch down. Video evidence suggests "fire flaring up around the airplane" while it was on final approach, says the inquiry in preliminary findings. "As the airplane touched down in the northbound lanes of traffic, it sheared off several light poles, struck a vehicle, and came to rest straddling the right-hand edge of an overpass," it adds. The aircraft's fuselage rolled onto its right side and, after the main cabin door was opened, five of the six occupants emerged. One of the jet's four passengers did not survive. Damage to the fuel tube assembly and fuel pressure switch NTSB Investigators have revealed that the crew had reported an unusual intermittent vibration early in the flight, and sought advice from NetJets, but were ultimately cleared to proceed to the destination. As the jet neared the Mexico-US border, however, the crew began to receive alerts about the fuel system — initially cautions about low right-hand fuel pressure, before indications of electrical issues and then a low-fuel warning — prompting the crew to declare an emergency with Monterrey area centre, which handed the flight to Houston. Examination of the wreckage found the right engine fuel pressure switch was separated from the fuel tube assembly, with a fracture of a weld joint between the two. Several fuel tube assembly clamps were found fractured. The inquiry also discovered that the right-hand engine starter generator was missing "multiple" screws from its outer housing. This generator had been overhauled in April last year, and had about 57h of time remaining. When the generator was removed, its shaft was found bent and the cooling fan fractured, while several cooling-fan blades and ball bearings were discovered. The cooling-fan shroud also contained "circumferential scoring marks". Investigators have transferred the starter generator, fuel tube assembly, and other components to the safety board's Washington laboratory for analysis.
Aviation SafetyJul 10, 7:00 PM
FAA Sets Certification Rules for Electra EL9 Ultra Short Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
The FAA has approved a set of airworthiness and environmental regulations that will apply to the Electra EL9 Ultra Short, marking a significant step toward the introduction of hybrid-electric aircraft. Electra this week said the agency closed the G-1 issue paper for the EL9, which is intended for operations out of soccer field-sized spaces requiring only 150 feet for takeoff and landing. The approved G-1 establishes a formal certification basis for the aircraft under Part 23 regulations. In other words, it creates a framework for Electra to prove that the EL9 can meet the same safety standards required of existing commercial aircraft. The company said it submitted its Part 23 type certification application in November. Beyond outlining which airworthiness and environmental regulations—such as those governing aircraft noise—will apply to the EL9, the G-1 lays out any special conditions or equivalent level of safety (ELOS) findings that Electra is required to meet. Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, said in a statement that the milestone "reflects the hard work and productive collaboration between Electra and the FAA, who are working together to make the future of aviation real." Electra said the G-1 establishes the "regulatory foundation" for the EL9's novel features, including its blown-lift propulsion system that redirects airflows over large flaps and ailerons and into the ground. That allows the model to take off at a leisurely 35 knots, hence the low runway requirement. The G-1 also covers the aircraft's distributed electric propulsion system—comprising eight Evolito electric engines spread across the front of the wing—and digital fly-by-wire control system. The latter is built around Honeywell flight control computers and manipulates aerodynamic surfaces as well as the electric motors. It is designed to reduce pilot workload and support handling at low speeds. Electra's certification progress could have implications for the broader electric aviation industry. The firm joins Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Beta Technologies as some of the only developers of passenger-carrying electric aircraft to obtain G-1 approval. Airbus is also developing a hybrid propulsion system that combines electricity with hydrogen, producing water as the only byproduct, though the project is in the nascent stages. Other competitors, such as Maeve Aerospace, have struggled to stay afloat . NASA in particular views Electra's technology as potentially transformational. The space agency picked the company for its Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative, asking it to develop the core technologies and design concepts for a new generation of all-electric commercial airliners. In June, Electra unveiled its concept for a hybrid-electric "double bubble" airliner that could fly up to 100 passengers. The partners will jointly study the concept, which is intended to improve fuel efficiency. What's Next? For Electra, the next phase of EL9 type certification will be the FAA's approval of a G-2 issue paper, which creates a "compliance checklist." Essentially, the G-2 describes how the EL9 will show compliance with each regulation that is outlined in the G-1 certification basis. "This stage will guide how Electra demonstrates that the aircraft meets the FAA-approved certification basis through engineering analysis, ground and flight testing, inspections, conformity activities, and certification data," said JP Stewart, Electra's senior vice president for product development. The company will also need to submit and receive approval for project-specific certification plans, which are non-legally binding, mutual statements of intent between the FAA and applicant that set expectations for the project. The idea is to hold each side accountable to its plans. After that, Electra will need to build and fly type-conforming aircraft internally. It has validated the aircraft's 150-foot ground roll with a two-seat demonstrator, the EL2 Goldfinch, but the EL9 has yet to fly. Electra anticipates the larger, flagship model's debut in 2027 or 2028. Then, Electra will need to complete more flying, this time with FAA personnel on board, during type inspection authorization (TIA). Once TIA is complete, and the agency has confirmed that the conforming aircraft meets the G-1 certification basis using the approved G-2 checklist, type certification can be formally issued. Per Electra, the company's team of engineers collectively has developed or certified more than 40 prior aircraft. The EL9 could be one of the first hybrid-electric aircraft to routinely fly passengers. At full capacity of 3,000 pounds, or a pilot plus nine passengers and 50 pounds of luggage each, it has a projected range of 330 nm, cruising at 175 knots. Per Electra, it will produce only 75 dBA of noise during takeoff and landing. Those features—combined with the ultra short takeoff and landing capability—are designed to open up operations away from airports. The EL9 is intended to use ultra-short "access points" that could be installed on rooftops, parking lots, fields, barges, malls, casinos, or even ski resorts. With access points, Electra estimates the EL9 could save travelers hours on more than 2,600 routes spanning 50 to 265 miles that are suboptimal for driving, but lack routine commercial air service. It believes it will need to produce 12,000 to 16,000 aircraft to meet demand for the first decade of its operations. Electra calls this vision " direct aviation ," and the company made significant progress toward realizing it this week after signing an agreement with Signature Aviation and UrbanV. The deal will see the partners explore the installation of access points across Signature's network of private aviation terminals. Beyond NASA, Signature, and UrbanV, the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy have all shown interest in the EL9.
Aviation SafetyJul 10, 5:48 PM
Experienced Pilot Disoriented in Night IFR Approach Crashes Short of Raleigh-Durham Runway
FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new episode of its popular Accident Case Study video series.
Flight Training
More Flight Training →
Flight TrainingJul 9, 1:25 PM
EAA and AMA Teams Complete Successful Young Eagles Build and Fly Camp with Full Flight Success
By Bernie Wunder, EAA 128167/AMA 984592 EAA developed a program called Young Eagles Build and Fly (YE B&F) to keep youths involved in aviation after a Young Eagles flight. The idea was that the EAA chapter would team up with the local Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) club to build and then actually fly a […]
Flight TrainingJul 7, 7:28 PM
Cirrus unveils TRAC10, new three-seat trainer with Rotax engine for flight schools
Cirrus announced July 6 the forthcoming arrival of a three-seat trainer with a Rotax engine and a mission to fill flight school lines with what Pat Waddick, president of innovation and operations, called a "complete reimagining of the modern training aircraft."
Flight TrainingJul 7, 7:28 PM
Cirrus Launches TRAC10, a Three-Seat Turboprop Trainer Focused on Flight School Needs
Cirrus announced July 6 the forthcoming arrival of a three-seat trainer with a Rotax engine and a mission to fill flight school lines with what Pat Waddick, president of innovation and operations, called a "complete reimagining of the modern training aircraft."
Military/Defense
More Military/Defense →
Military/DefenseJul 10, 11:42 PM
Secret Service Warned Trump Against Flying New Air Force One Over Defense Gaps
The Secret Service reportedly urged President Trump to fly onboard one of the original Air Force One Boeing 747s earlier this week due to security concerns. The news comes just days after the President made headlines for unexpectedly ditching his new ex-Qatari 747-8 to return home from a NATO summit in Turkey.
Military/DefenseJul 10, 2:00 PM
Soviet-era carrier Kiev becomes Chinese naval museum and stunt show venue
Quietly nestled away in a bay on the outskirts of Beijing is a relic of the furious Cold War arms race now repurposed as a tourist destination. Serving as a kind of seaside resort and naval aviation museum wrapped in the same package, the former Soviet aircraft carrier Kiev offers guest rooms where visitors can stay overnight and even has jet ski shows with a theme akin to the post-apocalyptic 'Waterworld' movie.
Military/DefenseJul 10, 1:10 PM
Only Around 30 Boeing 727 Jets Remain Operational Worldwide in 2026
This month we are taking an in-depth look at the Boeing 727 – its heritage, what made it so successful and unique, and what its legacy is today. To get the most out of this, make sure you check out our Airport Spotting Premium membership , which gives you access to so much more content. This month's member magazine is a Boeing 727 Special , featuring lots of articles on the aircraft and its life. Find out more about Premium Membership here Boeing’s Famous TriJet – the 727 RuthAS, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons The Boeing 727 was one of the defining airliners of the Jet Age. Conceived during the early 1960s as a short- to medium-haul jet capable of serving smaller airports, it combined excellent runway performance with the speed and comfort of a pure jet. Its distinctive tri-jet layout, T-tail and built-in rear airstairs allowed it to operate from airports with limited infrastructure, making it particularly attractive to airlines expanding their domestic and regional networks. The prototype first flew in February 1963, entering airline service the following year with launch customers United Air Lines and Eastern Air Lines. Over a 22-year production run, Boeing built 1,832 examples, making the 727 the world’s best-selling jet airliner until it was overtaken by the Boeing 737. Major operators included American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, Northwest, Braniff and Lufthansa, while hundreds more flew with carriers across Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. By the 1990s, however, the 727’s three-engine design had become its greatest disadvantage. New-generation twinjets such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 offered lower fuel consumption, reduced maintenance costs and improved reliability, making the ageing trijet increasingly uneconomical. Most passenger examples were retired or converted into freighters before eventually giving way to newer cargo aircraft. Today, only a small number remain airworthy, serving specialist cargo, charter and government roles in a handful of countries. Active Boeing 727s Today Sadly very few Boeing 727s remain active today, and none are flying passengers on commercial flights. However, if you know where to look you can still catch the sight of one flying cargo or on other special missions. Here's a list of all known active Boeing 727s in 2026: Registration Con No Line No Model Series Operator Base 5Y-GMA 21930 1508 727 2Q9F Safe Air Company Nairobi-Wilson, Kenya 9S-AVN 22933 1827 727 2S2F Serve Air Cargo Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9S-AVS 22931 1825 727 2S2FRE Serve Air Cargo Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9S-AVV 22935 1829 727 2S2F Serve Air Cargo Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9S-CDC 18934 0222 727 30 Government of Democratic Congo Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9T-TCK 19806 0547 727 22C Democratic Republic of Congo Air Force Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9T-TCR 22759 1789 727 260F Democratic Republic of Congo Air Force Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo CX-CLC 22983 1806 727 264F Air Class Montevideo-Carrasco, Uruguay EX-27015 21459 1329 727 212F 3C Cargo Kenya? GN-403 22676 1754 727 264 Guardia Nacional de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico G-OSRA 22938 1832 727 2S2FRE 2Excel Aviation London Southend, UK G-OSRB 22929 1823 727 2S2FRE 2Excel Aviation London Southend, UK HK-5239 22460 1746 727 223F Aerosucre Colombia Bogota Eldorado, Colombia HP-1937UCG 21345 1673 727 2A1F Uni World Air Cargo San Bernardino/Norton International, CA HP-1939UCG 22552 1773 727 225F Uni World Air Cargo Panama City-Tocumen, Panama HZ-SKI 21460 1340 727 212RE Precision Air Riyadh-King Khaled Int’l, Saudi Arabia N215WE 22936 1830 727 2S2FRE IFL Group Inc Pontiac-Oakland County International, MI N216WE 22937 1831 727 2S2FRE IFL Group Inc Pontiac-Oakland County International, MI N289MT 22467 1765 727 223 Raytheon Aircraft Company Stored? N726US 22469 1769 727 223F USA Jet Airlines Detroit-Willow Run, MI N727US 22470 1771 727 223F USA Jet Airlines Detroit-Willow Run, MI VP-BAP 19260 0412 727 21RE Leasing Company Kingman, CA VQ-BNF 22825 1805 727 2N6RE Corporate Stored? XC-MPF 22664 1780 727 264 Guardia Nacional de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico XC-NPF 22663 1778 727 264 Guardia Nacional de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico Oldest Surviving 727 Thankfully the Boeing 727 prototype still survives. You can find it at the Museum of Flight at Seattle’s Boeing Field, preserved in the colours of United Airlines, which flew it for many years. Download Our Boeing 727 Special Featuring many articles on the Boeing 727, our July edition includes a look at its development, the American Airlines 727 fleet, the story of how a 727 flew to downtown Chicago for preservation, 2Excel's oil dispersant 727 fleet, and the surviving FedEx 727s, it's a wonderful collector's item for the enthusiast. Available exclusively to Airport Spotting Premium Members. You can join today from as little as £5 per month. Join Here