The Boeing 717 is a short-haul jet airliner developed for the approximately 100-seat market. Launched as the McDonnell Douglas MD-95 in 1995, it was renamed after the 1997 merger of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. Final assembly took place at Long Beach, California.[1]
Launch and delivery
The first 717-200 was delivered to AirTran Airways in September 1999. Boeing reported that the launch customer held 50 firm orders and 50 options. AirTran selected a 117-seat arrangement, comprising 12 business-class seats and 105 coach seats. The actual airline configuration illustrates why the programme was described as serving a market segment rather than having a universal 100-seat cabin.[1]
Certification
The aircraft received joint certification from the United States Federal Aviation Administration and European Joint Aviation Authorities on 1 September 1999. Boeing described the concurrent process as an important feature of the certification programme. It allowed deliveries to begin after the regulatory work, rather than treating a planned delivery date as evidence of an approved aircraft.[1]
Early operations
AirTran marked the first year of 717 operation in October 2000. Boeing described the aircraft as intended for frequent flights on short routes. The airline initially used it to replace older equipment, and its operating experience supplied early evidence about the type in scheduled service. Those early reports represented a particular operator and period, rather than a permanent measurement of the entire fleet.[2]
End of production
On 23 May 2006, Boeing delivered the final two 717s to Midwest Airlines and AirTran Airways. The programme produced 156 aircraft. These deliveries also ended commercial aircraft production at Long Beach, closing an industrial chapter that had begun with Douglas. Boeing highlighted the manufacturing practices developed on the programme, as well as the aircraft themselves, in its account of the final deliveries.[3]