Flying in outdated Boeings

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Jun 28, 2014 | 12:26 am

catbox9

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Flying in outdated Boeings

I like to try to fly in different types of planes. I guess I tend to like the planes Boeing makes. I've flown in all their newer, more common planes (737,747,757,767,777,787) but not the other ones.

This October I have a flight on a 717 (my first one) which leaves 707 and 727 to complete the 7X7 series.

It appears those last two planes are barely still around.

Is there any practical way to fly commercially on a 707 or 727?

Jun 28, 2014 | 12:46 am

moondog

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Quote:

Originally Posted by catbox9

I like to try to fly in different types of planes. I guess I tend to like the planes Boeing makes. I've flown in all their newer, more common planes (737,747,757,767,777,787) but not the other ones.

This October I have a flight on a 717 (my first one) which leaves 707 and 727 to complete the 7X7 series.

It appears those last two planes are barely still around.

Is there any practical way to fly commercially on a 707 or 727?

727 - There are a few random airlines in the Mid East and S. America that still use them in commercial service.

707 - This is a bit of a tall order in 2014. Cozy up to a small cargo airline or a private owner like John Travolta?

Jun 28, 2014 | 1:57 am

Mwenenzi

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Some information here (but wikipedia is not the most reliable of sources)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B727
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B707

Edit
There are several threads like this. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...you-flown.html

Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jun 28, 2014 at 2:50 am

Jun 28, 2014 | 10:29 am

will2288

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Just to be clear, while the 717 isn't made anymore, it is not nearly as old as the '1' in its name might suggest.

Jun 28, 2014 | 10:47 am

Flinders

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IIRC Iran Air was the last scheduled operator of the 707, and ceased flying it recently.

The 717 was the MD-95, renamed after Boeing bought McDonnell-Douglas.

Jun 28, 2014 | 11:17 am

BearX220

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Flinders

IIRC Iran Air was the last scheduled operator of the 707, and ceased flying it recently.

Saha Air actually. They still have two or three on the fleetlist, not sure if they are still being operated. They did a little bit of a business attracting 707 enthusiasts from the west.

Jun 28, 2014 | 11:29 am

tkey75

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Quote:

Originally Posted by will2288

Just to be clear, while the 717 isn't made anymore, it is not nearly as old as the '1' in its name might suggest.

As well as the 737, being on the OP's list of new Boeings, is one of the oldest, longest production runs for 30something years.

Jun 28, 2014 | 11:40 am

BearX220

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tkey75

As well as the 737, being on the OP's list of new Boeings, is one of the oldest, longest production runs for 30something years.

Ah... since 1965, coming up on half a century.

Jun 28, 2014 | 7:52 pm

catbox9

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Thanks for all the tips. I was aware that the 737 is much older than the 717 which doesn't make much sense to me but what do I know?

I wonder what Boeing will do after the 797...7107?

Jun 28, 2014 | 8:08 pm

#10

moondog

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Quote:

Originally Posted by catbox9

Thanks for all the tips. I was aware that the 737 is much older than the 717 which doesn't make much sense to me but what do I know?

The 720 was called the 717 for a brief period of time. My guess is that since the DC9 was really old by the time Boeing acquired MD, and the MD95 used the same airframe, it made more sense to use up a lower number in the sequence.

Quote:

I wonder what Boeing will do after the 797...7107?

Boeing changed numbering schemes when they first started building jets, so it's not hard to imagine them doing so again. My money is on 807 or 808 to get things rolling.

Jun 29, 2014 | 7:38 am

#11

PLeblond

Formerly known as tireman77

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Quote:

Originally Posted by catbox9

Thanks for all the tips. I was aware that the 737 is much older than the 717 which doesn't make much sense to me but what do I know?

I wonder what Boeing will do after the 797...7107?

Judging by their recent choice for the next next-gen 737s to use 737-8, 737-9 etc. and the new 777X (although not officially named, yet) using 777-8 777-9, I think the 7x7 nomenclature is good for a while. Boeing won't be coming out with all new types for a many many years. According to reports, the next 'potential' model is a 757 replacement.

If anyone finds a way to fly on a 707, I'd love to know. I flew a DC-8, but never the 707. Its the only one I haven't flown on.

Jun 29, 2014 | 8:18 am

#12

zehbra

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Apparently, Azerbaijan Airlines wants to launch a Baku-Geneva service with an all-J 727 (see here). That might be a nice side-trip if you're in Europe

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