The Boeing 727, one of the icons of commercial and cargo aviation, is approaching its final years of operation. Of the thousands that graced the skies since its first flight in 1963, only 22 units remain active worldwide, marking the end of an era for this trijet that revolutionized the aviation industry.
The last survivors
Among the 22 Boeing 727s still flying, two stand out for surpassing 57 years of operational life, becoming true symbols of the durability and versatility of this model. These aircraft not only survive the passage of time but continue to perform specific missions that demonstrate their value in roles requiring robustness and reliability.
The oldest is the Boeing 727-100 registered as AVIONS-1001, operated by the South Sudan Air Force and Air Defense. At 57.8 years, this trijet is still used for multifunctional military transport, showcasing the strength of its design and its ability to adapt to demanding operational environments. The aircraft has logged 48,268 cycles and 51,964 flight hours, reflecting a long and intense operational life, according to data obtained by Aviacionline via Cirium Fleet Analyzer.
Close behind in age is the Boeing 727-100 registered as VP-BAP, owned by Malibu Consulting Ltd, a private company using it for corporate purposes. This aircraft, at 57.6 years, has logged 38,967 cycles and 41,257 flight hours, serving as a premium transport for a niche operator. This specific case highlights how the 727 has found more specialized applications towards the end of its mass commercial life.
The 727’s legacy in Latin America: resilience in regional skies
Boeing 727s still operational in Latin America perform diverse roles, ranging from military transport by the Mexican National Guard to cargo transport by airlines like Aerosucre in Colombia and Air Class Cargo in Uruguay. These aircraft have proven essential in countries where operational conditions and airport infrastructure can be challenging.
With ages ranging from 42 to 45 years, these aircraft have accumulated tens of thousands of cycles and flight hours, showcasing their durability. Their ability to operate on short runways and their robust structure make them ideal tools to meet the logistical needs of the region, despite limitations in fuel efficiency and environmental compliance.
A marvel of engineering
The Boeing 727 debuted as a response to the need for an aircraft capable of operating on short runways with high efficiency. Its three Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines and iconic T-tail design made it a globally recognizable model. Over its 22 years of production, more than 1,800 units were built, including the 727-100 and 727-200 variants.
Although its mass commercial operation ended years ago due to environmental regulations and the advent of more efficient aircraft, the 727 is still remembered as one of the most influential and beautiful designs in history. Its twilight, with only a few active units, symbolizes the end of a golden era for classic aviation.
These are the Boeing 727s still in operation:
| SN | Variant | Registration | Age | Operator | Country | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19011 | 727-100 | AVIONS-1001 | 57.8 | South Sudan Air Force and Air Defense | South Sudan | 51964 |
| 19260 | 727-100 | VP-BAP | 57.6 | Malibu Consulting Ltd | United States | 41257 |
| 21243 | 727-200 | N794AJ | 48.7 | Everts Air Alaska | United States | 61810 |
| 21247 | 727-200 | EY-627 | 48.4 | Eagle Enterprise | Kenia | 60103 |
| 21459 | 727-200 | EX-27015 | 46.8 | Blue Jet Airways | Kenia | |
| 21930 | 727-200 | 5Y-GMA | 45.5 | Safe Air (Kenya) | Kenia | 49054 |
| 21958 | 727-200 | CX-CAR | 45.2 | Air Class Cargo | Uruguay | 60920 |
| 22460 | 727-200 | HK-5239 | 43.6 | Aerosucre Colombia | Colombia | 58895 |
| 22467 | 727-200 | N289MT | 43.5 | Raytheon Corp | United States | 51963 |
| 22469 | 727-200 | N726US | 43.4 | USA Jet Airlines | United States | 67182 |
| 22470 | 727-200 | N727US | 43.4 | USA Jet Airlines | United States | 66366 |
| 22552 | 727-200 | HP-1939UCG | 43.3 | Uniworld Air Cargo | Panama | 59446 |
| 22663 | 727-200 | GN-402/XC-NPF | 43.3 | Guardia Nacional Mexicana | Mexico | 59699 |
| 22664 | 727-200 | GN-401/XC-MPF | 43.2 | Guardia Nacional Mexicana | Mexico | 60263 |
| 22676 | 727-200 | GN-403/XC-OPF | 43.6 | Guardia Nacional Mexicana | Mexico | 61932 |
| 22759 | 727-200 | 9T-TCR | 43.1 | D R Congo Air Force | DRC | 45650 |
| 22924 | 727-200 | 9S-ASS | 41.7 | Serve Air | DRC | 32132 |
| 22931 | 727-200 | 9S-AVS | 41.0 | Serve Air | DRC | |
| 22935 | 727-200 | 9S-AVV | 40.6 | Serve Air | DRC | 24578 |
| 22936 | 727-200 | N215WE | 40.5 | Gulf and Caribbean Cargo | United States | 36827 |
| 22938 | 727-200 | G-OSRA | 40.3 | 2Excel Aviation | UK | 29427 |
| 22983 | 727-200 | CX-CLC | 42.1 | Air Class Cargo | Uruguay | 65359 |
The twilight on the ground: stored Boeing 727s
Despite some Boeing 727s still flying, a significant portion of these aircraft are stored, awaiting their final fate. These planes are often no longer economically viable for regular operation but represent a fragment of history preserved in hangars or airplane graveyards.
The oldest in storage
Among the stored aircraft is the Boeing 727 registered as N30MP, operated by MP Aviation LLC, boasting an impressive age of 58.8 years. Originally designed for corporate use, it has logged 34,929 cycles and 35,891 flight hours. Although its operational capability has diminished, it remains a testament to the durability of the model and the ingenuity of operators who kept it flying for decades.
Another veteran is the 9T-TCL, stored by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Air Force, with 57.9 years of service. This 727 was used for multifunctional military transport roles and has recorded 50,390 cycles and 68,411 flight hours, making it one of the units with the highest operational history in its category.
Diversity of uses in its history
Stored Boeing 727s encompass a wide variety of roles, from military transport, like those operated by the Congo Air Force, to exclusive corporate uses, such as the N908JE from Jet Assets Inc, aged 55.5 years. The latter stands out for its more limited operational profile, with 21,117 cycles and 30,845 flight hours before retirement.
On the other hand, aircraft like the N724CK, owned by Kalitta Charters II, have a background in cargo transport. This plane, aged 54.4 years, accumulated 44,609 cycles and 56,790 flight hours, serving as a workhorse on logistics routes before being relegated to storage.
The uncertain future of stored 727s
The fate of these stored aircraft varies. Some might be temporarily reactivated, particularly in niche markets or emergency situations, while others could be scrapped for parts. However, their presence in hangars and airplane graveyards is a tangible reminder of the Boeing 727’s legacy and its impact on global aviation.
These aircraft, though no longer operational, continue to captivate enthusiasts and industry professionals who see in them not just flying machines but witnesses of an era of innovation and growth in aviation.
Stored Boeing 727s
| SN | Variant | Registration | Age | Operator | Country | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18998 | 727-100 | N30MP | 58.8 | MP Aviation LLC | 35891 | |
| 19359 | 727-100 | 9T-TCL | 57.9 | D R Congo Air Force | DRC | 68411 |
| 19806 | 727-100 | 9T-TCK | 56.8 | D R Congo Air Force | DRC | 54399 |
| 20115 | 727-100 | N908JE | 55.5 | Jet Assets Inc | 30845 | |
| 20383 | 727-200 | N724CK | 54.4 | Kalitta Charters II | United States | 56790 |
| 20512 | 727-100 | N311AG | 53.8 | Gordon P Getty | United States | 31065 |
| 20735 | 727-200 | N422BN | 51.3 | Antares Aviation LLC | United States | |
| 20905 | 727-200 | EW-494TT | 49.9 | Undisclosed Bank / Broker / Lessor | 45118 | |
| 20994 | 727-200 | N209TR | 48.6 | Interjet West | United States | 66928 |
| 21045 | 727-200 | N438BN | 49.6 | Towards Air | 65295 | |
| 21119 | 727-200 | N164TS | 49.1 | Air Speed Charter FZE | Kyrgyzstan | 70474 |
| 21200 | 727-200 | YV | 48.6 | Solar Cargo | Brazil | 74294 |
| 21266 | 727-200 | N615PA | 48.2 | TBM Inc | United States | 43074 |
| 21345 | 727-200 | HP-1937UCG | 44.2 | Uniworld Air Cargo | 62390 | |
| 21455 | 727-200 | N281FL | 46.9 | Gulf and Caribbean Cargo | United States | 49767 |
| 21460 | 727-200 | HZ-SKI | 46.7 | Al Tameer Co | Saudi Arabia | 9086 |
| 21502 | 727-200 | PR-TTP | 46.7 | Total Linhas Aereas | Brazil | 65515 |
| 21523 | 727-200 | N165TS | 45.7 | Air Speed Charter FZE | Saudi Arabia | 73908 |
| 21525 | 727-200 | N104HR | 45.7 | XYREC Inc | Saudi Arabia | 61823 |
| 21526 | 727-200 | 9S-ABC | 45.7 | Joseph Kabila | Zimbabwe | 61382 |
| 21580 | 727-200 | 5Y- | 45.9 | Safe Air (Kenya) | Kyrgyzstan | 64032 |
| 21595 | 727-200 | C- | 46.0 | Undisclosed Bank / Broker / Lessor | UK | 9302 |
| 21620 | 727-200 | FAE620 | 46.1 | Ecuadorian Air Force | Ecuador | 55124 |
| 21945 | 727-200 | N727NK | 45.5 | Antares Aviation LLC | United States | 41105 |
| 21951 | 727-200 | N726CK | 44.2 | Kalitta Charters II | United States | 38259 |
| 21996 | 727-200 | HK-5216 | 44.9 | Aerosucre Colombia | Colombia | 61599 |
| 22162 | 727-200 | 5N-BNQ | 43.9 | Emirate Touch Aviation Services | Nigeria | 64114 |
| 22252 | 727-200 | N725CK | 44.0 | Kalitta Charters II | 59767 | |
| 22362 | 727-200 | N531BN | 44.3 | N531BN Holdings LLC | United States | 3575 |
| 22430 | 727-200 | XT-BFA | 43.9 | Government of Burkina Faso | Burkina Faso | 29662 |
| 22462 | 727-200 | 5Y-NIV | 43.6 | Astral Aviation | 51777 | |
| 22465 | 727-200 | N708AA | 43.5 | World Aviation Services LLC | México | 62496 |
| 22543 | 727-200 | 5Y-JIB | 44.0 | Safe Air (Kenya) | Kenya | 56449 |
| 22609 | 727-200 | YV665T | 43.8 | Solar Cargo | Venezuela | 36761 |
| 22687 | 727-200 | N | 43.2 | Undisclosed Bank / Broker / Lessor | 6004 | |
| 22825 | 727-200 | VQ-BNF | 42.6 | Enterprise Aviation Bermuda Limited | United States | 4405 |
| 22927 | 727-200 | HK-4636 | 41.4 | LAS Cargo | Colombia | 32709 |
| 22928 | 727-200 | HK-4637 | 41.3 | LAS Cargo | Colombia | 32187 |
| 22929 | 727-200 | G-OSRB | 41.2 | 2Excel Aviation | UK | 32434 |
| 22937 | 727-200 | N216WE | 40.4 | Gulf and Caribbean Cargo | United States | 37955 |
| 22982 | 727-200 | N729CK | 42.6 | Kalitta Charters II | United States | 34388 |
| 22984 | 727-200 | PR-IOC | 42.1 | ASAS Linhas Aereas | Brazil | 64440 |
