The 727 followed the 707, a quad-jet airliner, with which it shares its upper fuselage cross-section and cockpit design. The 727-100 first flew in February 1963 and entered service with Eastern Air Lines in February 1964; the stretched 727-200 flew in July 1967 and entered service with Northeast Airlines that December. The 727 became a mainstay of airlines' domestic route networks and was also used on short- and medium-range international routes. Passenger, freighter, and convertible versions of the 727 were built. A total of 1832 aircraft were built between 1962 and 1984. The 727 was operated in Australia by Ansett-ANA (later Ansett Airlines Australia and Ansett Australia) and TAA (later Australian Airlines and Qantas). For the full Boeing 727 history, click here.
