The final Boeing 727 commercial aircraft to carry passengers has made its last flight.
Operated by Iran Aseman Airlines, flight EP851 operated a two-hour domestic flight from Zahedan to Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport on Sunday 13 January.
The jet itself was a 38-year-old Boeing 727-200 Advanced, and was the last to be flown as a passenger plane with a commercial airline.
Journalist Babak Taghvaee tweeted a video of the final flight, writing: “EP-ASB was going to be retired this evening but was called to log another flight prior to her retirement tonight. This is the world’s last passenger carrier Boeing 727.”
EP-ASB was going to be retired this evening but was called to log another flight prior her retirement tonight. This is the world's last passenger carrier Boeing 727 can be seen at #Yazd airport prior logging her last flight tonight. pic.twitter.com/PgjbjRMsKU
— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) January 13, 2019
The 727 model has been in service for nearly 55 years, and was at one time a popular aircraft choice for a variety of airlines.
The tri-jet aircraft first came into service in 1963, able to fly more passengers than most competitor narrow-body jets, and at higher speeds with a lower operating cost per passenger. Most major airlines in the US had 727s as part of their fleet – more than 1,800 of the jets were purchased during its 20-year production run.
When it stopped being made in 1984, the 727 was the most widely sold commercial jet ever, a title that’s since been taken by the plane’s successor, the 737.
The 727’s use as a commercial aircraft has dwindled over the last two decades, as airlines find it much more cost-effective to fly twin-engine jets that use fuel more efficiently.
However, although marked its final commercial flight, the aircraft model is still used to transport freight, with some even used to operate charter flights or as private planes for government officials.
I have been fortunate to fly the Boeing 727 many times and recorded a few video of some special B727 flight such as VIP flight, include takeoff and landing in the cockpit. I have also flown Iran Aseman Airlines half a dozen times on their B727-200 Adv. Enjoy the unique sights and sounds of this Boeing tri-jet from these video below!
Have you flown on a Boeing 727? Share us your memories of 727 in the comment section.