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.

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.