As a business traveler this was a long-time favorite. I fondly recall the 727 Eastern Airlines Shuttle [Boston (Logan) - NYC (La Guardia)] with big, wide comfortable leather seats for the entire aircraft [2 on each side of the center aisle]. I also flew the 727 Alaska Airlines Seahawk One [used for the Seattle NFL franchise and having all the names of players, coaches and staff on gold plates in each seat]; similar interior design and comfortable seating as the 727 Eastern Shuttle. And how about the rear entry / exit with the fold-up stairway ramp that allowed passengers to board and disembark simultaneously from both front and rear of the aircraft? Much faster turnaround time! The built-in stairway ramp that would drop down was similar to the science fiction space craft seen on lots of TV and movies from the 1960s.
E.H. JOHNSON (HENRY), e-mail, 07.04.2012 09:03
I FLEW EVERY B727 EASTERN OWNED DURING MY 24 YEAR CAREER WITH AND EVER POSITION SECOND OFFICER, FIRST OFFICER AND CAPTAIN, BASED IN MIA ATL NYC ATL RETIRING AUGUST 1989. ONE OF THE IF NOT THE BEST PLANES EVER BUILT. THE FIRST PLANE FROM THE DRAWING BOARD DESIGNED FOR AIR CARRIER USE. DOWN WITH FRANK LORENZO. I LIVE IN THE NEWNAN, GA AREA CELL NUMBER 770-301-3109.
Brad, e-mail, 15.06.2011 19:40
Boeing out did it self with the 727. I was with National Airlines in Miami when I first saw a 727. The systems were the best engineered of any aircraft I had ever worked on as an aircraft electrician. It was the easist to learn and maintain of any aircraft I maintained in my 45 year career.
TC Howard, e-mail, 20.05.2011 03:21
I really enjoy being the 727 Restoration Chief on the first 727 built and later delivered to United Air Lines. This wonderful 727 is being restored at the Museum of Flight Restoration Center at Paine Field, Everett, WA.
If you are a licensed A&P mechanic with 727 or othe airplane experience, please contact me if you live in the Seattle-Everett area.
Greg Art, e-mail, 09.03.2011 04:16
I was fortunate to fly all 3 seats in the 727 for Northwest Airlines! Of all the aircraft I have flown the last 40 years and 25,000 flight hours, she was the BEST !!!
ken, e-mail, 06.03.2011 00:39
Oh boy, where do I start? I also flew all three positions, and finished with over 12,000hrs as capt. I just never bid anything else because I was senior on it, loved the way it flew and paid plenty. Like the other guys that flew her, she was responsive and fast when necessary.(like commuting home on the last leg). Landings were challenging but once you figured her out I could grease 'em in. However, every once in a while she'd let you know who's boss...I also flew DC8s, 747s...the old three holer really captured my heart. I'd love to fly one again before I go west.
Russ Farris, e-mail, 28.01.2011 11:49
The Boeing 727 - my favorite airliner I have flown in my 33 year career. A pilots airplane; by defination it made you look good with very little effort on your part. The last airliner designed with what the pilot thinks about handling and performance. I flew the 727 for World Airways, Piedmont and USAir.
John (Yannis) Barbas, e-mail, 21.01.2011 13:39
As many others commented, the BEST airplane I have flown in my 38 career in aviation. Stable, fast, beautiful. A pilot's airplane! Lucky to have sat in all three seats of it. A sad day when I flew the last of USAir's to the desert and bid her farewel.
Lee Sicilio, e-mail, 17.01.2011 05:02
Wow! The 727 to me was the "Queen" of the fleet. I flew the three-holer in all seats for 23 years for American. At one time AA was the largest operator of 727's in the world and I feel very fortunate to probably have flow in all of them. When it was going away, I was force to check out in another plane before I retired. It was the 777 which I flew as an international captain. That flying computer was OK, but it was nothing compared to the 727. In my flying career of 35 years, from a Viet Nam era Air Force pilot, Air Force Reserve Aircraft Commander, and an AA pilot, my absolute favorite is the Boeing 727. I was able to stay out of trouble throughout my whole career because of great co-pilots and good luck. Fly safe and let the good times roll!
Wm. Gene Brack, e-mail, 03.01.2011 20:47
Started working for United Air Lines in 1963 as an "A & E" mechanic ,after days in USAF. The 727 was a workhorse! UAL had them thru-out their system...change-overs from passengers to freighters. Performed maintenace on them at SFO, Portland, Org. and at the UAL Overhaul & Maint. in SF. Great plane!
Capt. Ron Flug, e-mail, 08.12.2010 05:55
Wonderful air plane! I never doubted it's ability, safety and superior performance. The max passanger number listed is incorrect. All Nippon Airways had a single class 200 series with 178 seats. The only aircraft that I flew where V1 was theoretically after Vr. (FAA made them the same)
Capt. (ret) K. F. McLin, e-mail, 16.08.2010 01:27
Over 10,000 hours in this type and my personal favorite.
John Hancocks, e-mail, 14.05.2010 04:10
Superb passenger aircraft, I was always impressed by their speed, flew Lufthansa, Iran Air and TAA - the Melbourne/Perth stretch was shortened considerably as a result. I reckon there was a peak in air travel represented by this 'plane, the VC10 and the 707 - nothing since can compare - "passenger" aircraft have become lumbering cattle wagons by comparison. Cramped and colorless.
Scott Boyd, e-mail, 07.05.2010 06:08
In their time they were great. The 757 and newest 737's come pretty close though. Definitely well beyond it's time in performance and ease of handling. I still wonder why were problems with the type when the spool time of the engines should have been understood by anyone trained on the aircraft.
JD, e-mail, 24.04.2010 23:46
ONE OF THE BEST PLANES EVER BUILT. I LOVED THEM.
Darryl Johnston, e-mail, 10.04.2010 16:03
First plane I ever flew in (about age 4) Johannesburg - Cape Town. Still remember "discussing" the design with my dad. He was ex-airforce (WWII) and that got me started with my love for flight. First jet I ever really liked.
Kiril, e-mail, 05.04.2010 00:17
I am able to offer Boeing 727 for sale. Contact me for more information. E-mail: chochkov@aero-x.eu
bill burt, e-mail, 05.03.2010 04:10
Home Sweet Home.
That's the way I think of this plane. It was exactly THAT for me during a wonderful 30 year career. When it all comes to a stop for me, I would not be surprised if my last fond thoughts are of the fabulous 3 holer. What a lady.
Neil Haase, e-mail, 03.03.2010 23:13
I had 12,000 hours in 727's. all three seats, 8000 of it .climbing
Joel Edwards, e-mail, 01.03.2010 22:11
Now, "That was an airplane!" All my dreams of becoming an "Airline Pilot" came true flying that airplane, as FE, FO and Captain, for American Airlines. I truly wish every pilot could have experienced the same jubilation as I have.
Joel Edwards 777 Captain - American Airlines
DB Cooper, e-mail, 12.02.2010 18:41
I will remember this aircraft fondly in my final years, and the great fun I had over the skies of Washington State.
Bob Carroll, e-mail, 19.01.2010 05:43
I worked for Boeing, was there at the initial rollout, then my wife and I were beside the runway when it lifted off for the first time. Have flown on the 727 many times, and it has been a great aircraft.
Tom Kennedy, e-mail, 01.01.2010 19:31
Once you mastered the secret of making good landings in the 72 it became an absolutely great machine to fly. Hand flying was a pleasure not experienced today. If you hauled boxes instead of pax you could fly it like a sports car and really enjoy the thrill of "owning a Boeing." Three man crew made the cockpit fun and team work excelled in safety.
Bob Thrasher, e-mail, 16.12.2009 22:26
I was a pro-F/E on the 72 @ Airlift, National, Pan Am, Delta, Arrow Air & Kiletta with over 18K hrs on the panel. Wonderful airplane, flew about every model Boeing made one time or another.
RICH ORNE, e-mail, 06.12.2009 17:24
The aircraft dimensions noted above are incorrect. Boeing documents list the 727-100 as 133' 2" long and the 727-200 as 153'2" long (3" longer than the 707-320). The wing span was listed at 108' and the height was listed as 34'. rto ...727 lover since day 1!!!
Dave DiMarchi, e-mail, 12.02.2009 10:03
Am still flying the 727 for FedEx. Have accumulated a few thousand hours in it and love every minute of it. A "man's" airplane, lacking the modern glass cockpit and still using "round dial" instruments. Very honest and dependable airplane. I plan on flying it for a few more years.
Sandra (Neal) Jackson, e-mail, 07.06.2008 03:28
Hi there, Just a quick note to write that I was a flight attendant on that first EAL 727 flight to Miami 2/1/64 and was in the EAL brochure and TV commercial for the "T-Tail". We had so many problems since we actually had to cook the frozen meals - ovens broken, meals frozen in the center - it was a nightmare. Finally they went back to bringing hot meals onboard. Things have sure changed, I think we need to go back to the gracious flight attendant. Any others out there on this flight? Sandy (Neal) Jackson ORD, MIA
Captain Bob Starnes, e-mail, 27.05.2008 22:17
My favorite of all EAL airliners. Before simulators became the training standard, I set the standard that exists today receiving the 727 rating in 10hrs 15 min, including all training. I flew the airplane (225 version)into South America my last seven years with EAL She performed equally well at airports from sea level to 13,500' (La Paz, Bolivia)
Joseph H. Peek, e-mail, 30.04.2007 07:52
Well, I must say that this aircraft was the workhorse of the fleet of aircraft that Eastern Air Lines owned over the years of its existence. I flew all three seats in this bird from 1967 until I retired out of a strike in 1989, logging over 7000 hours in the aircraft. I had more fun in this bird, especially in the left front Captain's seat for the last 2 & 1/2 years of my career with Eastern. Sadly to say, Eastern was raped, pilleaged and burned by a truly unfortunate CEO named Frank Lorenzo who owned 54% of Jet Capital, the parent company in control of both Continental and Eastern Air Lines. He was dissatisfied with the machinest union and the pilots union and sacrificed a wonderful family of employees on the altar of greed and for the aggrandizement of Continental. Corporate structure never gave the employee an even break. However, the airline Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker started still lives on in the memory of the Real Eastern Pilot who fought tooth and toenail to keep one of the most productive airlnes in history in operation. Long live Eastern. Call me 404-325-4866 Cell in GA.
