How true! Braniff used to advertise its 707-227 El Dorado Jets as the fastest 707s ever built. This is generally regarded as a true claim as Braniff's -227s combined the more powerful engines of a the 707-320 “Intercontinental” with the fuselage and wing of the shorter 707-120. Cruising speed was rated at about 615 mph.

American Airlines ordered Convair 990s because the aircraft was contacturally guaranteed to be the fastest commercial jet transport ever, cruising at 635 mph. Unfortunately, as delivered the airplane was able to do no better than 584 mph, although later modifications got the cruise speed up to 621 mph. Most of today's jets cruise at about 560 mph.