Boeing 717
A short-haul, single-aisle jet airliner developed from the DC-9/MD-90 family. Built after Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas, the 717 served regional and leisure routes; 156 were produced between the late 1990s and 2006.
The Boeing 717 is a short-haul single-aisle jet airliner developed as the final derivative of the long-running DC-9 family. Originally marketed by McDonnell Douglas as the MD-95, the design was renamed the Boeing 717 after Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997. The type was aimed at regional and leisure carriers seeking a modern, efficient aircraft for short to medium sectors.
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Design and characteristics
The 717 is a twinjet with two turbofan engines mounted at the rear of the fuselage rather than under the wings. It is a narrow-body, single-aisle airplane with a typical 2–3 abreast seating layout and room for up to about 117 passengers in high-density configurations. Propulsion is provided by a pair of Rolls-Royce BR715 turbofan engines, chosen for a balance of fuel efficiency, low noise and good short-field performance.
- Role: short-haul, regional jet suitable for frequent takeoffs and landings.
- Capacity: commonly configured for roughly 100 passengers; maximum layouts approach 117 seats.
- Range: approximately 2,060 nautical miles (about 3,820 km), depending on weight and configuration.
- Layout: single aisle with rear-mounted engines, modernized cockpit and systems compared with earlier DC-9 variants.
Origins and development
The 717 traces its lineage to the original Douglas DC-9, a family that evolved through the MD-80 and MD-90 series. McDonnell Douglas proposed the MD-95 as a simplified, modern derivative tailored for short-haul routes and smaller airports. The first orders for the MD-95 were placed in the mid-1990s; following Boeing's takeover of McDonnell Douglas, the program carried on under Boeing branding as the 717. The prototype and early production examples entered service near the turn of the millennium.
Operational use and legacy
Operators employed the 717 on high-frequency shuttle routes, island services and regional sectors where runway performance, quick turnaround and passenger comfort mattered. Its size and performance made it attractive to leisure and regional carriers. Over its production life 156 aircraft were built, with final deliveries ending in May 2006. The 717 remains notable as the most recent, smallest-member designation in Boeing's commercial lineup and as the final development of the DC-9 family.
Further reading
For more technical detail and historical context, see entries on the jet airliner family, the original DC-9 lineage and the manufacturer McDonnell Douglas.
Questions and answers
Q: What type of aircraft is the Boeing 717?
A: The Boeing 717 is a jet airliner.
Q: How many engines does it have?
A: The Boeing 717 has two engines, making it a twinjet.
Q: How many columns of seats does it have?
A: The Boeing 717 only has two columns of seats, making it a narrow-body plane.
Q: Who designed and sold the Boeing 717?
A: The Boeing 717 was designed and sold by McDonnell Douglas.
Q: What was the original name for the plane before it became known as the Boeing 717?
A: Before becoming known as the Boeing 717, the plane was originally called the MD-95. It was designed from the DC-9.
Q: How many passengers can fit in a single flight on a Boeing 717?
A: A single flight on a Boeing 717 can hold up to 117 passengers.
Q: How far can a Boeing 717 fly without needing to refuel?
A: A single flight on a Boeing7 17 can fly for 2,060 nautical miles (3,820 kilometres) without needing to refuel.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com Boeing 717 Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/12637
Sources
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- boeing.com : "The Boeing Company ... The Giants Merge"
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- cbc.ca : "Air Canada buying 90 jets from Bombardier, Embraer"
- boeing.com : "Boeing to Recognize Charges for USAF 767 Tanker Costs and Conclusion of 717 Production"
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- boeing.com : Boeing Introduces 717 Business Express at EBACE 2003
- frequentbusinesstraveler.com : Delta to Add Boeing 717 Aircraft to its Fleet
- aviation-safety.net : Boeing 717 incidents