The Boeing 717 is a twin-engine, single-aisle, short-to-medium-range jet airliner. It has a rather unique history, as it began life as the McDonnell Douglas MD-95 before McDonnell Douglas was acquired by Boeing in 1997. Boeing continued its development and launched it as the 717, aiming for the 100-seat market.
Here are some key characteristics:
- Capacity: Typically seats between 100 and 117 passengers in a two-class configuration, or up to 134 in a single-class layout.
- Range: Has a range of approximately 1,430 nautical miles (2,650 km).
- Engines: Unusually for a modern commercial jet, its two turbofan engines are mounted at the rear of the fuselage, rather than under the wings. These are Rolls-Royce BR715 engines.
- Speed: Cruising speed is around Mach 0.77 (about 504 mph or 812 km/h).
- Design Heritage: Its design is a direct descendant of the Douglas DC-9 and MD-80/MD-90 family, maintaining the rear-mounted engine configuration and T-tail.
- Key Features: Known for its robustness, short-field performance (ability to operate from shorter runways), and relatively low operating costs for its segment. Pilots often praised its handling characteristics.
The 717 was a well-regarded aircraft by operators and crews, especially for high-frequency, short-haul routes. However, its production run was relatively short (1998-2006) as Boeing decided to streamline its product line, focusing on the 737 family for the narrow-body market. Despite this, a number of 717s are still in active service today, primarily with airlines like Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines.