People demanded cheaper flights. The regular service is still available for about the same price as it was back then, but you have to pay the equivalent price. Today, we have the optional "cattle service" which the masses seem to prefer. Since the airlines have always been customer service oriented, they have obliged the customers preference. An occasional "moo" may be heard in rushed boarding situations.
BloomingOnion Before the 9-11 they did serve food on shorter flights. The four rule was adopted post 9-11. I work in food service I remember delta serving steak in economy class in late 1970s.
I flew many miles in the late 70's for my work. At that time, the 727 was the main aircraft used on domestic flights by the major airlines. The 727 was a wonderful aircraft. While the DC-10 was also used for longer flights and was a bit roomier, when the plane was packed, a 727 was much more comfortable than a DC-10. Yes, the 727 was a great aircraft.
When the U.S. and all other countries in the world flew American made aircraft ,(the best in the world),before airbus. The planes were ,McDonnel Douglas ,Boeing, Lockheed Martin, even Fokker.
I can't believe it's been close to 13 years ago since this happened. 727s used to be a dime a dozen at any US airport. Now when one shows up, all of the cameras come out and the spotters show up. Who would have thought that? I guess that's like the 777 and 787 now? They're everywhere, but someday there will be a last flight for them as well. (And what's scary is that there have already been several 777s flown to the graveyard in the desert and are in pieces as they take parts and/or break down for recycling into your next can of Pepsi!).
The first airplane trip I ever took was in a PSA 727 from San Diego to Sacramento (with a stop in L.A. along the way). That was in 1969; however, my last ride in a 727 was on this route with Delta from Atlanta to Greensboro and back in December 2002. The thunder of the trijet from behind the passenger section brought all those old memories back!
Sadly I wasn't born in that era. I was born right as the 727 was being retired. It's a plane I'm sad I never got the chance to fly. MD-80 was close enough, I guess.
I'm always glad to find out that I'm flying on a Boeing 727 on my trips. Exceptionally quite and stable aircraft. Sad that it's not in service anymore.
Nice video, it almost brought tears to my eyes. But fail you skipped the rotation. I wish i could be on a similar last flight fx Delta's DC-9-50s but that will be hard since i live in Denmark!
Thanks for the memories. Did a lot of flying on 727's in the 80's. I always tried to get a seat behind the wing so I could watch those big Fowler flaps go up and down.
I also think the average air traveler was a more educated and well mannered back in the heyday of the 727's. I think that also brings back good memories. I loved watching the wing seemingly come apart for landings. The amount of flaps that were deployed was impressive. My fav seat was a "non-smoking window seat behind the wing". If you sat next to the engines sometimes you could see a stream of vapor coming from behind the engine and into the intake.
DavidBerquist334 the mexican airline aviacsa bought a lot of the retired Delta fleet 727s and 737-200 series and some of continental old fleet and that same year mexicana retired their 727 as well
What do you mean? Even if the Boeing 727's engines sound the same of the engines of the MD-80s, my dad thinks the Boeing 727s are too noisy to fly for domestic airlines for the reason for retirement because the 727s have more engines than the MD-80s, don't they?
Trump's 727 was sold in spring of 2011 to an Indonesian company called 'Weststar'. Yeah there are still some in the US (amerijet), but after Astar lost the DHL contract all those 727s went to the desert. Fedex soon to follow. Capital cargo has a few still after the FAA grounded some and fined them almost $300k. Cargojet in Canada still flies a couple but it seems after the economy crashed a significant amount have disappeared from the skies. Wish I could get a number of how many flying now.
In the 70s it was standard to invite a kid onto the flight deck while at the gate. I was one of the lucky ones, and in this model 727. Sat in the captain's seat and tinkered with everything within reach. Ended up making the photo into a poster, which I still have somewhere.
My first ride was on the 727 with Eastern,can still remember climbing those steps in my best clothes(back then flying was an event)...and then looking at the tail as I entered the cabin,and seeing the word WHISPERJET emblazened on the the housing for the 3rd engine...14 years old,scared to death and about to embark on a great adventure by myself...and it was...it was spectacular...the 727 will always be alive with those of us that remember.
I first flew in them in the '60s while my dad worked for Northeast Airlines. Some were the -200 "stretch" versions, and Delta got them during the '72 merge with Northeast. They were a bit noisy; nothing like trying to sleep with 3 engines whining all around you, but they were roomy and comfortable.
i couldnt get to fly in any 727 unfortunately, but at least i flew in a md 83 from american airlines on january 2015, such an amazing sound from those engines
First flight I ever took was in 1985 (I was in Jr High)... to Denver, Co from D/FW. Even though my dad was a pilot, and I flew with him all the time, I was still nervous. But, my dad preached that the 727 was the best plane in the air with the best safety record (At the time). Anyway, I was a little nervous.. but once I sat down and read "727" on the window visor, I instantly relaxed. Just something about that plane made me relax. One of my favs.
Same thing here, I was always most comfortable in a 727. There was a reason Alaska Airlines flew them, lets see a composite Airbus ( or Boeing for that matter ) fly out of gravel runways. Yea, Alaska flew out of plenty of them back then. Anyway, my most memorable flights where ex- AF pilots who liked to pin the throttles on takeoff back before everyone worried about the last drop of fuel savings, that girl could flat accelerate.
Great clip. Thanks for posting it. Loved the welcome by the crash fire trucks. The 727 with its rear mounted engines, T tail and swept clean wings has to be the best looking commercial jet transport ever made.
Excellent production. Thanks for sharing this documented moment, sad one at that. I can't imagine how the pilots of these aircraft feel on these kind of flights.
Ahh, the 727 engines had a special whine to them that I've missed. Thought I was gonna lose my eardrums to them back in the day, but it made me smile to hear it in this video :D
Still remember these jets. They were much more roomy than the ones of today. I remember sleeping on an empty flight on my to O'Hare. The two seats beside me were unoccupied and I just streched out and slept the whole way. RIP 727
efrem1 That's a credit to the decided upon seating arrangement, not the aircraft. I flew the 777 when it first came out 20 years ago (yes, it's been that long!) and the seating was 2-3-2. When I flew the 777 last year, seating was 3-3-3, and *very* cramped!
Don't get used to that safety and comfort people. You're all getting crammed into tiny regional jets flown by 20 something minimum wage earners from now on!!!!!!
Years ago, we got diverted on a cross country flight and landed at Boeing Field due to weather at the destination airport. We had to de-plane using the built-in stairway in the tail of the 727. The stairway area was painted green, you could see the hydraulic lines. As we left the plane, I remember looking back over the fuselage and thinking, WOW, we just crossed the entire country in that machine... A moment to remember. Not like the sterile leaving of an airplane through a standard "jetway".
Nice video! I flew a r/t ROC-ATL-ROC on March 9th,2003 just to get on a 727 for the last time! I flew on N8890Z on the return flight . I told the captain as I was leaving that I'm gonna miss the 727 in a month and he said so was he..Love the roar of the JT8D's!
`i wish if they would have up graded B727 just like the did w/B37 and,i wish if they would have up graded my favorite plane the L10 11 just like they up graded the DC 10 2 M
Great video,Justin. I too flew on a DL 727 March 7th,2003 ROC-ATL-ROC just to get on one. Flew down on N8890Z (wavy gravy) and back on N523DL (I think)(Ron Allen colors).
It's a bloody shame that such a versatile bird should be pensioned off because of progress in other areas, namely engine technology and avionics. The basic configuration of the '27 was sound in many ways; however with some re-engineering it could have been a lot better and cornered the short-haul market AND the transatlantic routes that the Airbus 319/320 has been so successful in doing. British engines and instrumentation would have made SO much difference!
@654321825 Oh man.. we love classic birds, because they require the true skills of a pilot, now, in 2011 you can fly almost any airplane by just giving him the data he needs to fly, just input the altitude, route data, weights and that kind of things and you are ready to fly by pushing the AP engage button, in the early 80s pilots flew IFR almost everyday... using ALL the instruments and gauges, and of course..you cant compare the sound of a 80s Pratt & Whitney to the new generation engines..
Dad flew these. He took me on flights with him and I often sat in the jump-seat in the cockpit. He used to let me fly it! If you see a kid go into the cockpit with his dad, know that at some point the kid will be flying. Sometimes, he'd get on the PA and say "Well, We're a full flight today, so when I count to three, everybody lift your feet!" We'd roll down the runway, picking up speed, and he'd count and we'd lift our feet just as we took off. We'd all clap. God, flying used to be fun....
I have to say that i've flown the Boeing 727-200 alot! Piedmont, Eastern, Delta, United, American, Kiwi International, Continental...My last 727-200 flight was on Delta...from Atlanta to Baltimore...but i have flown then alot between Atlanta and Greensboro...and alot of Piedmont 727's from Asheville to Greensboro (Piedmont flight #58 340p-418p)...Those were the days!!! and i miss this aircraft alot!
@edmonton67 My father caiptained this plane for over twenty years. First for Braniff and then for Piedmont, eventually checking out on the 737. He says it was the best handling aircraft he has ever flown due to the fact that the engines were on the tail and not on the wings. It even looks fast. Gone but not forgotten. I have edited and uploaded an amazing video of one of his last flights in this aircraft. Search BraniffBarney and you'll see it. Cheers!
My first flight even was either on a Boeing 707 or DC-8, I was only around five but remember it had 4 engines and me and my mom had to walk up airstairs to board her, that was around 67 or 68. The engines were running and it was loud. My wife and I flew on the 727 back in the mid 90s from Saltlake to Spokanne and back, it was a nice flight. I even have footage of part of thr trip on the 727 somewhere. Miss these old planes.
I live near one of the flight paths to the Berlin Tegel (Germany) airport and as of July 2008 I still see the occasional 727 fly over. They haven't been low enough to tell what airline, though. I was actually surprised the first time one flew over here, because I hadn't seen any over Salt Lake City (our old home) in quite awhile. Like others who commented, the 727 was my first jet ride, too.
My first commercial flight was on a Piedmont Airlines 727-200 in 1979. I was only 7 years old-but the 727 made an impression. Every time I flew, I tried to book a seat on the flight using the 727. My last 727 experience was in August 1998 on a flight from RSW to ATL. The build date happened to be my birthday...and it was being retired at the end of the month. The 727 will be looked upon as fondly as the DC-3 is today.
I used to fly B727 operated by FIRST AIR to commute to the Canadian High Arctic. It was a lovely airplane both for freighter and passengers. It provided jet service for isolated communities who only have short, unpaved runways experiencing 9 months of bitter winter in a year. So when the going gets tough the B727 just kept flying safely and loyally. I'm sure a lot of third world countries will keep flying these nimble handling flying thoroughbreds for a long time to come.
Most European Airlines replaced that "STONE-AGE JET" in the late 1980s! Here in Europe we have usaually younger fleets with modern European Made Airbus Jets. However - in 1999 I flew with such (at this time more than 30year old) aircraft from Washington Dulles to Orlando. It was a horrible flight, the engines have almost NO power (compared to modern Airbus/Boeing jets)
Very very unique video and very sad to see the 727 go. I only flew 727's 3 times, first time in ´86 (Tunisair), more than 16 years after my first flight. Then in early 90's (PanAm) and finally a few months later (Air France). And now they're all gone. I Guess I wasted to much time on other aircraft :-( Thanks for posting...
Yeah, the 727 has to be one of my absolute favourites as well. Both the -100 and the -200. Last time I flew them, was march 2006. LAB (Lloyd Airlines Boliviana). Trinidad-Cochamba and Cochabamba-La Paz respectively. Beautiful machines! Will be missed... And woooow, pretty salute! Love it when they do that!
@CSXer The reason it was deemed "not worthy for service" was because of economic issues. The 727s were muscle cars compared to the newer birds...loud, gorgeous, and fuel-guzzlers. Most of Delta's 727 airframes still had several thousand takeoff/landing cycles left in them.
Ummm...Isn't it scary to be on the last flight of a plane deemed "not worthy for servise anymore"???? I flew on Eastern Airlines for 5 years. After they went bankrupt, their fleet was sent to scrap because the FAA wouldn't even allow it to be sold off as used parts.... Think about it.....
What a wonderful airplane that unfortunately had to be taken out of service. The 27 has always been my favorite and always will. I think it is somewhat foolish to take these out of the sky. My last 27 ride was in 2002. I will definately miss seeing them at the gate. There is NOTHING like a 27!
The best part was the "salute" (using the strobes, etc.) from the other Delta right after the arrival washdown. It's too bad she isn't flying. I'd choose a 727 flight over a Canadair flight any day. Those of who've flown on both a 727 and any CRJ know what I mean :-)
I really miss these birds, they were my favorite as a kid and now they are gone. It was depressing watching that recent documentary of the one they used for a crash test in Mexico. Better that than Mojave, I guess. One last very important mission.
that's all in the past. idk why so many people are in love with this aiplane? aren't you guys excited for all the new technology out there? I'm not saying i hate or dislike the 727, just idk why all of you guys are so excited about it
@JimT1975 --Absolutely correct. Nowadays, any slob can fly. It's like a ghetto taxi in the sky. My parents would make me wear nice clothes or a shirt & tie when I was a kid in the 60's/70's and flew. BRING THOSE DAYS BACK!
Why is it weird? A huge majority of the regional jets flying today have 2 engines mounted on either side of the tail. The 727 had a 3rd engine to allow it to be rated for over-water operation, if I am not mistaken.
@compdude100 That's because it's powered by Pratt & Whitney JT8D Low-Bypass Ratio turbofan engines, Low-Bypass Ratio turbofan engines are always louder than High-Bypass Ratio turbofan engines even at idle speed.
Well, we'll see what they have for ideas to replace the 737. After all, I'm pretty sure that the production of the 737 will cease from 2025-2030 because of the very old and unuseful design.
Poor lil 727. :( I was a fan. I spent a lot of time on that plane flying back and forth from DFW to MSP in the mid to late 80's as a kid. I love the sound of the thrust reversers kicking in! :)
Oh how I remember those widget 727s all over SFO. I love the 727, in the 90s I would fly UA all the time, and I'd end up on 727s a lot on SFO-DEN-MSP-DEN-SFO. Boy do I miss them...dearly.
Great half video...LOL! That wasn't a full flap landing. When flaps are full you can see the triple-slotted flaps way out and down. I love the 727, tho. Thanks for posting.
no no no no no they don't... air tran is focused in akron canton airport... they operate mainly 717's soon to be delta and some 737 yikes folks use wikipedia at least
This is when people were treated like human beings instead of cattle !! The B-727 was very roomy and they actually served meals!!!
JerseyJoe Not for the final two decades or so. It was generally only served on flights over four hours back then.
People demanded cheaper flights. The regular service is still available for about the same price as it was back then, but you have to pay the equivalent price.
Today, we have the optional "cattle service" which the masses seem to prefer. Since the airlines have always been customer service oriented, they have obliged the customers preference. An occasional "moo" may be heard in rushed boarding situations.
BloomingOnion Before the 9-11 they did serve food on shorter flights. The four rule was adopted post 9-11. I work in food service I remember delta serving steak in economy class in late 1970s.
@@RoadCone411 i can get a flight in winter from Detroit to Fort Lauderdale on delta rt for $203.00 on delta. Yes this is better.
727 had nothing to do with serving meals haha
One of the best aircraft ever built next to the L-1011. A real aircraft!
I flew many miles in the late 70's for my work. At that time, the 727 was the main aircraft used on domestic flights by the major airlines. The 727 was a wonderful aircraft. While the DC-10 was also used for longer flights and was a bit roomier, when the plane was packed, a 727 was much more comfortable than a DC-10. Yes, the 727 was a great aircraft.
When the U.S. and all other countries in the world flew American made aircraft ,(the best in the world),before airbus.
The planes were ,McDonnel Douglas ,Boeing, Lockheed Martin, even Fokker.
I can't believe it's been close to 13 years ago since this happened. 727s used to be a dime a dozen at any US airport. Now when one shows up, all of the cameras come out and the spotters show up. Who would have thought that? I guess that's like the 777 and 787 now? They're everywhere, but someday there will be a last flight for them as well. (And what's scary is that there have already been several 777s flown to the graveyard in the desert and are in pieces as they take parts and/or break down for recycling into your next can of Pepsi!).
18 years now
Now almost 20 years
Back in the day, I flew in 727's. They were beautiful birds, but pretty damn noisy!
Thanks so much dude for recording this historic flight. Nothing compares to the unique 727 experience! (sounds, feel, etc, smell...like coffee)
i like the 727-200 design i wont retire my 727's on my flight simulator x for awhile
So that's what legroom looks like...
Flash back to the 70's and PSA 727's flying up and down the California Coast. Great airplane!! Thanks for the video
Love the JT-8Ds
Yeah had to edit it, I was trying to take photos and video at the same time lol.
The first airplane trip I ever took was in a PSA 727 from San Diego to Sacramento (with a stop in L.A. along the way). That was in 1969; however, my last ride in a 727 was on this route with Delta from Atlanta to Greensboro and back in December 2002. The thunder of the trijet from behind the passenger section brought all those old memories back!
I've flown on many 727's. My last flight on one was the first Saturday in April of 2001 from OKC-SLC on Delta. I really miss this airliner.
Sadly I wasn't born in that era. I was born right as the 727 was being retired. It's a plane I'm sad I never got the chance to fly. MD-80 was close enough, I guess.
My last one was SLC-MSP on Northwest!
@@thecaynuck4694 I have always felt lucky to have been able to experience commercial aviation in the 1980s and 1990s. Pretty boring now.
Luckily, I got to fly on one once for United SFO-DEN in 2001.
You don't know what you got till it's gone.
I'm always glad to find out that I'm flying on a Boeing 727 on my trips. Exceptionally quite and stable aircraft. Sad that it's not in service anymore.
I am sad that it is not in service anymore too. But I am glad that I got to fly on a 727 too.
Man, I'm really gonna miss sky-diving out of my favorite airliner....
They still have the MD-80 and they have stars in the back like a 727
i miss flying the China Airlines 727s from Taipei to Hong Kong and back... what a great aircraft... with lots of good memories.
Nice video, it almost brought tears to my eyes. But fail you skipped the rotation.
I wish i could be on a similar last flight fx Delta's DC-9-50s but that will be hard since i live in Denmark!
I LOVE THE 727! This was an excell. video and thank`s .... "It`s a sad day as well" :(
"RIP 727"
Thanks for the memories. Did a lot of flying on 727's in the 80's. I always tried to get a seat behind the wing so I could watch those big Fowler flaps go up and down.
LOL, I did the same, loved watching them work.
I got a seat by the wings somehow when I flew on a 727.
I also think the average air traveler was a more educated and well mannered back in the heyday of the 727's. I think that also brings back good memories.
I loved watching the wing seemingly come apart for landings. The amount of flaps that were deployed was impressive. My fav seat was a "non-smoking window seat behind the wing". If you sat next to the engines sometimes you could see a stream of vapor coming from behind the engine and into the intake.
Yeah I've seen it, great video. I did the Delta L1011 final flight back in 2001, but no video.
I miss the Boeing 727s flying for domestic passenger airlines. But I am lucky that I have flown on one, but only for United SFO-DEN in 2001.
DavidBerquist334 the mexican airline aviacsa bought a lot of the retired Delta fleet 727s and 737-200 series and some of continental old fleet and that same year mexicana retired their 727 as well
My first - and last to date - trip on a 727 was on USAir Shuttle, LGA-DCA I believe in 1999. A true classic.
The TWA 727 Retirement flight was way better as the pilot performed a touch and go along with reving the engines for the ground crew at the end.
What do you mean? Even if the Boeing 727's engines sound the same of the engines of the MD-80s, my dad thinks the Boeing 727s are too noisy to fly for domestic airlines for the reason for retirement because the 727s have more engines than the MD-80s, don't they?
I'll miss the 727's too.
There was something about them that made airline travel a sophisticated experience.
Trump's 727 was sold in spring of 2011 to an Indonesian company called 'Weststar'. Yeah there are still some in the US (amerijet), but after Astar lost the DHL contract all those 727s went to the desert. Fedex soon to follow. Capital cargo has a few still after the FAA grounded some and fined them almost $300k. Cargojet in Canada still flies a couple but it seems after the economy crashed a significant amount have disappeared from the skies. Wish I could get a number of how many flying now.
I remember the massively wide seats in the 27. Comfortable and handled turbulence like a tank.
"This aircraft is supposed to be flown to the mojave desert the day after tomorrow for retirement"
In the 70s I flew on Eastern 727s to Bermuda. I miss the soound of those engines. Beautiful Video.
@ATITANIC1992 - Yeah was trying to take photos and video at the same time, so I edited out that mess.
That is very sad when the 727 re-tired
And you know what's amazing? - The last time I flew on a 727 was with Delta in 1991.
In the 70s it was standard to invite a kid onto the flight deck while at the gate. I was one of the lucky ones, and in this model 727. Sat in the captain's seat and tinkered with everything within reach. Ended up making the photo into a poster, which I still have somewhere.
I remember being invited to the flight deck as late as the early 90’s
Wish I could’ve worked on these. Already starting to see the MD-88s go. Always love hearing the JT-8’s.
Awesome! I was on the same plane out to VCV- Victorville CA the next day!
A beautiful bird like this, sitting in the desert .. what a waste : (
My first ride was on the 727 with Eastern,can still remember climbing those steps in my best clothes(back then flying was an event)...and then looking at the tail as I entered the cabin,and seeing the word WHISPERJET emblazened on the the housing for the 3rd engine...14 years old,scared to death and about to embark on a great adventure by myself...and it was...it was spectacular...the 727 will always be alive with those of us that remember.
I wonder if Matt Cochran was there filming? TRIHOLER TRIHOLER TRIHOLER TRIIIIIIIIIHOLER
I first flew in them in the '60s while my dad worked for Northeast Airlines. Some were the -200 "stretch" versions, and Delta got them during the '72 merge with Northeast. They were a bit noisy; nothing like trying to sleep with 3 engines whining all around you, but they were roomy and comfortable.
Que despedida, um grande Clássico dos anos de ouro da aviação!!! Parabéns Delta.
i wonder if the circuitry and wiring is all original. 30 years old copper cables jeez. what ain't original besides tires and paint
That plane was about 25 years old in the video when it retired
You do realize airplanes have to pass rigorous safety inspections, right? Of course you didn’t know.
i couldnt get to fly in any 727 unfortunately, but at least i flew in a md 83 from american airlines on january 2015, such an amazing sound from those engines
A wonderful machine!
i love the tu-154:)
I miss the 727's my favorite to fly on when I was kid...
I miss the 727s too.
I flew on 727"s many times really great plane.
Wow ¡¡ Very smooth landing and nice airplane ;)
is the answer to familyguyfreak2's question?
First flight I ever took was in 1985 (I was in Jr High)... to Denver, Co from D/FW. Even though my dad was a pilot, and I flew with him all the time, I was still nervous. But, my dad preached that the 727 was the best plane in the air with the best safety record (At the time).
Anyway, I was a little nervous.. but once I sat down and read "727" on the window visor, I instantly relaxed. Just something about that plane made me relax. One of my favs.
Same thing here, I was always most comfortable in a 727. There was a reason Alaska Airlines flew them, lets see a composite Airbus ( or Boeing for that matter ) fly out of gravel runways. Yea, Alaska flew out of plenty of them back then. Anyway, my most memorable flights where ex- AF pilots who liked to pin the throttles on takeoff back before everyone worried about the last drop of fuel savings, that girl could flat accelerate.
The whine from a JT8D...music to my ears.
I miss you 727, eu sinto saudades de vc 727
Great clip. Thanks for posting it. Loved the welcome by the crash fire trucks. The 727 with its rear mounted engines, T tail and swept clean wings has to be the best looking commercial jet transport ever made.
those engines sound similar to a md80's! and md80's engines play a beautiful music to a aircraft fanatic's ears!
Yes, they are both JT-8D's
Man i remember how loud the 727 was.
"Farewell, 727, and we thank you."
i miss the sound of those engines
Excellent production. Thanks for sharing this documented moment, sad one at that. I can't imagine how the pilots of these aircraft feel on these kind of flights.
Wow, how memorable. I would love to have been onboard that flight.
Ahh, the 727 engines had a special whine to them that I've missed. Thought I was gonna lose my eardrums to them back in the day, but it made me smile to hear it in this video :D
Neat video. Thanks for sharing it!
It so crazy to know you are few feet away from those engines and you know you wont go deaf!!! :D
Still remember these jets. They were much more roomy than the ones of today. I remember sleeping on an empty flight on my to O'Hare. The two seats beside me were unoccupied and I just streched out and slept the whole way. RIP 727
efrem1
That's a credit to the decided upon seating arrangement, not the aircraft. I flew the 777 when it first came out 20 years ago (yes, it's been that long!) and the seating was 2-3-2. When I flew the 777 last year, seating was 3-3-3, and *very* cramped!
Don't get used to that safety and comfort people. You're all getting crammed into tiny regional jets flown by 20 something minimum wage earners from now on!!!!!!
+Carl Sagan That occasionally take off from the wrong runway and sometimes crash killing everyone on board..
When you let corporations do whatever they want, that's what you get.
Years ago, we got diverted on a cross country flight and landed at Boeing Field due to weather at the destination airport. We had to de-plane using the built-in stairway in the tail of the 727. The stairway area was painted green, you could see the hydraulic lines. As we left the plane, I remember looking back over the fuselage and thinking, WOW, we just crossed the entire country in that machine... A moment to remember. Not like the sterile leaving of an airplane through a standard "jetway".
Nice video! I flew a r/t ROC-ATL-ROC on March 9th,2003 just to get on a 727 for the last time! I flew on N8890Z on the return flight . I told the captain as I was leaving that I'm gonna miss the 727 in a month and he said so was he..Love the roar of the JT8D's!
The 727 was awesome
Loved the 727. It was one of my favorite planes to fly on.
I liked that plane too.
`i wish if they would have up graded B727 just like the did w/B37 and,i wish if they would have up graded my favorite plane the L10 11 just like they up graded the DC 10 2 M
Great video,Justin. I too flew on a DL 727 March 7th,2003 ROC-ATL-ROC just to get on one. Flew down on N8890Z (wavy gravy) and back on N523DL (I think)(Ron Allen colors).
It's a bloody shame that such a versatile bird should be pensioned off because of progress in other areas, namely engine technology and avionics. The basic configuration of the '27 was sound in many ways; however with some re-engineering it could have been a lot better and cornered the short-haul market AND the transatlantic routes that the Airbus 319/320 has been so successful in doing. British engines and instrumentation would have made SO much difference!
@654321825 Oh man.. we love classic birds, because they require the true skills of a pilot, now, in 2011 you can fly almost any airplane by just giving him the data he needs to fly, just input the altitude, route data, weights and that kind of things and you are ready to fly by pushing the AP engage button, in the early 80s pilots flew IFR almost everyday... using ALL the instruments and gauges, and of course..you cant compare the sound of a 80s Pratt & Whitney to the new generation engines..
Dad flew these. He took me on flights with him and I often sat in the jump-seat in the cockpit. He used to let me fly it! If you see a kid go into the cockpit with his dad, know that at some point the kid will be flying. Sometimes, he'd get on the PA and say "Well, We're a full flight today, so when I count to three, everybody lift your feet!" We'd roll down the runway, picking up speed, and he'd count and we'd lift our feet just as we took off. We'd all clap. God, flying used to be fun....
I have to say that i've flown the Boeing 727-200 alot! Piedmont, Eastern, Delta, United, American, Kiwi International, Continental...My last 727-200 flight was on Delta...from Atlanta to Baltimore...but i have flown then alot between Atlanta and Greensboro...and alot of Piedmont 727's from Asheville to Greensboro (Piedmont flight #58 340p-418p)...Those were the days!!! and i miss this aircraft alot!
@edmonton67 My father caiptained this plane for over twenty years. First for Braniff and then for Piedmont, eventually checking out on the 737. He says it was the best handling aircraft he has ever flown due to the fact that the engines were on the tail and not on the wings. It even looks fast. Gone but not forgotten. I have edited and uploaded an amazing video of one of his last flights in this aircraft. Search BraniffBarney and you'll see it. Cheers!
My first flight even was either on a Boeing 707 or DC-8, I was only around five but remember it had 4 engines and me and my mom had to walk up airstairs to board her, that was around 67 or 68. The engines were running and it was loud. My wife and I flew on the 727 back in the mid 90s from Saltlake to Spokanne and back, it was a nice flight. I even have footage of part of thr trip on the 727 somewhere. Miss these old planes.
I live near one of the flight paths to the Berlin Tegel (Germany) airport and as of July 2008 I still see the occasional 727 fly over. They haven't been low enough to tell what airline, though. I was actually surprised the first time one flew over here, because I hadn't seen any over Salt Lake City (our old home) in quite awhile. Like others who commented, the 727 was my first jet ride, too.
My first commercial flight was on a Piedmont Airlines 727-200 in 1979. I was only 7 years old-but the 727 made an impression. Every time I flew, I tried to book a seat on the flight using the 727.
My last 727 experience was in August 1998 on a flight from RSW to ATL. The build date happened to be my birthday...and it was being retired at the end of the month. The 727 will be looked upon as fondly as the DC-3 is today.
I used to fly B727 operated by FIRST AIR to commute to the Canadian High Arctic. It was a lovely airplane both for freighter and passengers. It provided jet service for isolated communities who only have short, unpaved runways experiencing 9 months of bitter winter in a year. So when the going gets tough the B727 just kept flying safely and loyally. I'm sure a lot of third world countries will keep flying these nimble handling flying thoroughbreds for a long time to come.
Still great plane. Subscribed
Most European Airlines replaced that "STONE-AGE JET" in the late 1980s! Here in Europe we have usaually younger fleets with modern European Made Airbus Jets. However - in 1999 I flew with such (at this time more than 30year old) aircraft from Washington Dulles to Orlando. It was a horrible flight, the engines have almost NO power (compared to modern Airbus/Boeing jets)
Very very unique video and very sad to see the 727 go. I only flew 727's 3 times, first time in ´86 (Tunisair), more than 16 years after my first flight. Then in early 90's (PanAm) and finally a few months later (Air France). And now they're all gone. I Guess I wasted to much time on other aircraft :-(
Thanks for posting...
Yeah, the 727 has to be one of my absolute favourites as well. Both the -100 and the -200. Last time I flew them, was march 2006. LAB (Lloyd Airlines Boliviana). Trinidad-Cochamba and Cochabamba-La Paz respectively. Beautiful machines! Will be missed...
And woooow, pretty salute! Love it when they do that!
@CSXer The reason it was deemed "not worthy for service" was because of economic issues. The 727s were muscle cars compared to the newer birds...loud, gorgeous, and fuel-guzzlers. Most of Delta's 727 airframes still had several thousand takeoff/landing cycles left in them.
Ummm...Isn't it scary to be on the last flight of a plane deemed "not worthy for servise anymore"????
I flew on Eastern Airlines for 5 years. After they went bankrupt, their fleet was sent to scrap because the FAA wouldn't even allow it to be sold off as used parts....
Think about it.....
What a wonderful airplane that unfortunately had to be taken out of service. The 27 has always been my favorite and always will. I think it is somewhat foolish to take these out of the sky. My last 27 ride was in 2002. I will definately miss seeing them at the gate. There is NOTHING like a 27!
The best part was the "salute" (using the strobes, etc.) from the other Delta right after the arrival washdown.
It's too bad she isn't flying. I'd choose a 727 flight over a Canadair flight any day. Those of who've flown on both a 727 and any CRJ know what I mean :-)
I really miss these birds, they were my favorite as a kid and now they are gone. It was depressing watching that recent documentary of the one they used for a crash test in Mexico. Better that than Mojave, I guess. One last very important mission.
that's all in the past. idk why so many people are in love with this aiplane? aren't you guys excited for all the new technology out there? I'm not saying i hate or dislike the 727, just idk why all of you guys are so excited about it
@JimT1975 --Absolutely correct. Nowadays, any slob can fly. It's like a ghetto taxi in the sky. My parents would make me wear nice clothes or a shirt & tie when I was a kid in the 60's/70's and flew. BRING THOSE DAYS BACK!
Why is it weird? A huge majority of the regional jets flying today have 2 engines mounted on either side of the tail. The 727 had a 3rd engine to allow it to be rated for over-water operation, if I am not mistaken.
@compdude100 That's because it's powered by Pratt & Whitney JT8D Low-Bypass Ratio turbofan engines, Low-Bypass Ratio turbofan engines are always louder than High-Bypass Ratio turbofan engines even at idle speed.
Well, we'll see what they have for ideas to replace the 737. After all, I'm pretty sure that the production of the 737 will cease from 2025-2030 because of the very old and unuseful design.
Poor lil 727. :( I was a fan. I spent a lot of time on that plane flying back and forth from DFW to MSP in the mid to late 80's as a kid. I love the sound of the thrust reversers kicking in! :)
this was so sad...my very first flight was on a continental 727 in 1978...great plane, even greater sound...planes of today can't compare!
Oh how I remember those widget 727s all over SFO. I love the 727, in the 90s I would fly UA all the time, and I'd end up on 727s a lot on SFO-DEN-MSP-DEN-SFO. Boy do I miss them...dearly.
Great half video...LOL! That wasn't a full flap landing. When flaps are full you can see the triple-slotted flaps way out and down. I love the 727, tho. Thanks for posting.
no no no no no they don't... air tran is focused in akron canton airport... they operate mainly 717's soon to be delta and some 737 yikes folks use wikipedia at least