The Boeing 727, a distinctive trijet, truly made a mark between the late 1960s and the 1980s. Among the many airlines that utilized this aircraft for regional and short-haul flights was Philippine Airlines, which flew both variants of the 727. It wasn’t just known for its performance, but also its high decibel levels, even louder than a BAC One-Eleven when heard from the ground. This might prompt some to question if any Boeing 727s are still operational or flying today.
Surprisingly, a few of them are indeed still in service. One such example is a 727-200 that was recently active with a Filipino air services company named PSI Air 2007, a freight operator. However, it remains uncertain whether PSI Air 2007 continues to operate their 727-200F, distinguished by a unique “shark mouth” design on its nose.
This brings us to the question, who currently operates the 727s and what are they being used for?
The Birth and Evolution of the Boeing 727
The Boeing 727-200 soared through the skies for the first time on July 27, 1967. Conceived as an aircraft for short and medium-range routes, it was especially crafted to function efficiently at smaller airports. It was an evolution of the 727-100 with a longer body, larger capacity, and enhanced performance. Despite being a rare sight today, some of these magnificent trijets still continue their journey in unique roles. The Boeing 727 also earned the distinction of being the first commercial jet to sell over 1,000 units.
The 727 wasn’t just a commercial success; it became an icon of the jet age due to its unique trijet design. This design not only marked its presence in pop culture and music but also came to symbolize the 1970s and 80s era. However, the use of more efficient twin-engined airliners under ETOPS regulations led to a decrease in trijet configuration in subsequent decades.
Several large US carriers and scheduled as well as charter carriers in Europe became significant buyers of the 727-200. American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), United Airlines (UA), Eastern Air Lines, Northwest Airlines (now a part of Delta), and Braniff International Airways were among the biggest operators, with each having substantial fleets of this model.
Current Uses of the Boeing 727
The once abundant passenger jets, the 727s, are now mostly active in Europe and South America, undertaking diverse roles such as:
- Freight Services: Many older generation aircraft get repurposed as freighters and the 727 has followed this trend. However, 727 freighters are quite rare, with most seen in South America.
- Oil Spill Cleanup: Some 727s, like G-OSRA and G-OSRB, operated by 2Excel Aviation from Teesside Airport in the UK, have been tasked with spraying a dispersant fluid onto oil spills.
- Luxury Private Jets: Jets like M-STAR, a private jet configured 727-200 belonging to Starling Aviation, are seen frequently shuttling between cities in Europe, the Middle East, and occasionally North America.
Though it’s common to see a Boeing 727 housed in a museum or resting in an aircraft boneyard, it’s quite a rarity to witness one in flying condition. If you ever get lucky enough to spot an airborne 727, make sure to capture as many photos and videos as you can. The certainty of spotting operational Boeing 727s in our skies in the future remains unknown.
Source: Flightradar24
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
