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Boeing's 7-Series Aircraft

blusk
Aviator C
As part of the rollout celebration of Boeing's new 787 on Sunday July 8 (7/8/7--get it?), the airplane manufacturer, a day earlier, gathered an example of all their commercial aircraft that begin with the number seven.  (Well, almost all, they left out the Boeing 720, and obviously, the 787, which hasn't flown yet.) The airccraft began arriving at Boeing Field with the 707 at 7:07 p.m., and on hand were a 707, 717, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, and 777.  Click here for a photo at boeing.com, and here is a report from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's blog and a feature story from the paper.  In addition, here is a link to an additional ground view from Airliners.net. Although one of our aircraft wasn't in the lineup, we are one of Boeing's biggest Customers.  We obviously fly 737s, but which is the other Boeing type respresented in the line that has flown with Southwest Airlines?
25 Comments
Stephan
Explorer C
I believe the other model type was the 727. 🙂
Matthew_Skok
Explorer A
The 727! One that was "leased" from Braniff and some that were leased from People Express! -Saddle Tan Fan
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
The boeing 727??????
blusk
Aviator C
You guys are good--it is the 727. Okay let's make it harder. Using US airlines that were flying in 2000 or later, there is only one airline who technically owned all eight types (they actually flew seven). What airline is it, and which type did they own and not fly and why? One other airline flew seven of the eight. Which is it, and which type didn't they fly? Two (actually three, I forgot one when I originally wrote this) airlines flew six of the eight, who are they? Bonus credit. Only one major carrier flew one of these aircraft types, and it should be in your answer just above. Blog Boy
Tommy_Blog1
Explorer C
The AAirline that technically owned all 8 types was American. They owned all 8 types at one time or another after the acquisition of TWA which had the 717 in thier fleet. I believe they dumped all the 717's (I think some went to Hawaiian and some to JetStar - but I could be wrong). American never flew the 717 in AA colors. The answer to the bonus questions is TWA which owned the 717 - the only US Airline I believe to own this type - but I could be wrong. The other questions are really making me use my brain so I am going to pass and go make a cup of coffee!
Josh18
Explorer C
1. one who owned all eight types: American Airlines. The only one they didnt operate was the 717 and that was because they bought TWA who had those, and they returned them since they were new (big problem in 2002 w/Boeing on that). 2. one who flew 7 of the 8: Continental (no 717 that I know of). 3. two who flew 6 of 8: United and Delta?
joe-mdw-plane-d
Frequent Flyer C
Delta 😛
Stove2
Explorer C
If I remember correctly, American Airlines has flown all types above except for the 717. I have no idea if they owned any 717/MD-95's, though. I look forward to seeing the answers later today.
Josh18
Explorer C
Bonus Question: The 707 was flown by TWA and American, they have since merged
blusk
Aviator C
I'll have the answers tomorrow. By the way, I forgot that there are three airlines who flew six of the eight. Blog Boy
Pete2
Explorer C
The 720 was a subset of the 707 ... so they didn't leave any out. United used to operate a lot of 720s when I worked for them at ORD in the 60s.
seanyoda
Explorer B
Enough info has passed along that all the questions are answered. This is just clarification: 1. American flew 707s, 727s, and 747s (even the 747SP) They still fly 737s, 757s, 767s, and 777s. When they acquired TWA, they ended up with 717s, but dumped them as they were new and were redundant in size with their Fokker F-100s. 2. Continental also flew 707s, 727s, and 747s. They still fly 737s, 757s, 767s, and 777s. 3. United flew 727s. They still fly 737s, 747s, 757s, 767s, and 777s. While they flew DC-8s instead of 707s, they also flew the 720, which was a variant of the 707, but renamed for marketing purposes, so they could be a second answer to question 2. Delta flew 727s and 747s. They still fly 737s, 757s, 767s, and 777s. (Like United, Delta flew DC-8s.) TWA flew 707s, 717s, 727s, 747s, 757s, and 767s. Bonus: TWA was the only major carrier to fly the 717.
Not applicable
[...] a parade of almost all of their 7-series aircraft. Check out the photos. You can also read more on Southwest’s blog. « Trains not Planes! for Southwest Airlines Executives [...]
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
and for an EXTRA bonus bonus question: Which airline(s) operating in this country have offered Candy Corn as an in-flight snack? Bonus Bonus Bonus question: Which airline(s) operating on this planet have offered Candy Corn as an in-flight snack? Good luck...let's see who gets the correct answer posted first! Kim External Blog Boy 🙂
Dennis6
Explorer C
Yep, the 727. And this post reminded me to dig up a photo a good friend of mine took of the SWA 727. Weird seeing the colors on anything but the 737!
blusk
Aviator C
Well, y'all got it right again, especially Sean: 1. When American bought TWA , they technically owned TWA's 717s, but they never flew them after the airlines combined into one name. 2. Continental was the only other airline to have flown seven of the eight--they never flew 717s. 3. Delta flew everything but the 707 and 717. United flew everything but the 707 and 717. (They did fly the 720, which was originally to have been the 707-720, but they asked Boeing to market the aircraft as the 720 model. I'm not sure if it was certificated as the 720 or the 707-720.) TWA flew everything but the 737 and 747. Bonus, see above. TWA is the only major to have flown the 717, although AirTran is probably considered a major now, and they fly 717s. Two more questions: 1. Boeing also made a piston-powered post-war airliner, the 377 Stratocrusier. Four scheduled US airlines operated it--which ones were they? 2. How many of the 7-series jetliners have you flown upon? To date, I hate flown on all but the 717 (and I have flown on both the 707 and 720.)
Josh18
Explorer C
1. Boeing also made a piston-powered post-war airliner, the 377 Stratocrusier. Four scheduled US airlines operated itÃ
blusk
Aviator C
Josh, you are right, those are the five US carriers who flew the Stratocruiser. However, Transocean wasn't a scheduled carrier. BOAC also flew the Strat. Some secondhand ones wound up in Latin America. The Stratocrusier was also the basis for all the Guppy modifications. Brian
Leah4
Frequent Flyer B
Oh, Kim! I know! *Raises hand & says, "Pick me!* The answer is, "What is Southwest Airlines?" Okay, what's my prize? :) I remember when my parents & I went to Israel, we flew TWA; when we came home (well, even when we went there, my mom & I were going home. We weren't born there, but we are ethicnally Jewish), we flew a 747 nonstop from Tel Aviv to JFK. We were on one another 747 from JFK to STL, where we changed planes again.
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Uh oh, Leah, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your always-enjoyable enthusiasm does not override the fact that you are wrong! Actually, available research indicates that NO airline, domestic or international, has ever routinely offered candy corn as an in-flight snack. However, I understand that after Brian retires from Southwest in twenty-five years, he plans to be the founder of an upstart low-fare carrier called Lusk Air. They will serve complimentary candy corn onboard his fleet of brand new Boeing 838s. The livery colors for Lusk Air will be orange, white and yellow, and of course, their initial plane and flagship will be named Candy Corn One. So, sadly, no prize for you EXCEPT the treat of getting to fly on Southwest Airlines, the greatest airline in the world, on your upcoming trip to MCO! Tell Mickey hi for us... Kim External Blog Boy and future Publicity Manager for Lusk Air 🙂
blusk
Aviator C
Well Kim In 25 years, I will be 79 so I don't think I will be starting a new airline, although I might retire in Elbonia. Blog Boy
Leah4
Frequent Flyer B
Aw, Kim! Was that a trick question? 🙂 It sounds like it! If I see Mickey, I'll tell him hi if I have a chance! I have to tell Winnie the Pooh & friends hi, too; yes, even at my age, I LUV Pooh Bear & his friends! SWA is So Wonderfully Awesome! 🙂
Robert_S_1
Explorer C
here's a website with a photo of the Southwest 727 (not my site or anyone I know of, i just googled to try to find a site that had the picture I remember seeing before and could imagine in my mind as I read this blog entry): http://www.rstack.com/planes/planes.html --- as for the 7 series that i've flown on, it's been 727, 737 and 747 (primarily 737 since I fly SWA). Robert
twAA
Explorer C
RENO AIR also flew the 717 dring the AA merger.
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