Summary

  • Boeing 727s are still being actively operated by various North American operators, including charter and cargo airlines.
  • Seven operators, such as USA Jet Airlines and Gulf & Caribbean Cargo, have either one or two active 727s in their fleet.
  • The Boeing 727s that are still active are being used for a variety of purposes, including cargo transportation, private charters, and specialized flights like parabolic flights.

Produced by Boeing between 1962 and 1984, the 727 trijet was a popular aircraft for mid-range flights. Since first being introduced by Eastern Air Lines in 1964, 1,832 models of the plane were built. Today we will look at which North American operators are still flying this iconic airliner.

The operators listed here are based on data from ch-aviation.com for aircraft active in July 2024. As of this date, there are just eight active 727 aircraft – with seven operators. However, more are stored with these and other operators (not scrapped) and may see future service.

USA Jet Airlines

Two Boeing 727s for cargo use

USA Jet Airlines is a cargo airline, with a base at Detroit Willow Run (YIP) in Michigan. It is the only North American operator with more than one currently active Boeing 727 aircraft.

The airline operates two aircraft, both Boeing 727-200(F) variants. It previously operated one more, retiring it just in July 2022.

  • N726US was delivered new to American Airlines in July 1981 (as N713AA), operating until December 2000. It has then seen service with other cargo airlines (Capital Cargo International Airlines and Cargojet Airways) before entering use with USA Jet Airlines in June 2018.
  • ​​​​​N727US likewise started service with American Airlines, ordered new and delivered in September 1981. Likewise, it left the fleet in 2002 and was converted for cargo use. It has flown with USA Jet Airlines since December 2014.
N727US Boeing 727-223

Malibu Consulting

One Boeing 727 for charter use

Delivered new to Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) in 1967, the Boeing 727-100 with the registration VP-BAP went to Fun Air in 1984 and then Malibu Consulting in 2004. It’s in a VIP configuration and undertakes private flights.

Boeing 727

Vallejo Company

One Boeing 727 for charter use

Vallejo Company is a private charter operator based in San Francisco. It currently operates just two aircraft – a Boeing 727-100 and one Boeing 737-800 BBJ aircraft.

Its Boeing 727, with the registration N311AG, was first delivered to Canadian Airlines in 1971. It joined the Vallejo Company in 1986. It’s a private plane, flown for the Getty family, and is rather nice inside.

Everts Air Cargo

One Boeing 727 for specialized use

Delivered new to Braniff International Airways in 1976, the Boeing 727-200 with the registration N794AJ later flew for PEOPLExpress, Continental Airlines, Pan Am, and Delta Air Lines before being converted into a freighter by Amerijet International in 1994. The aircraft joined Everts Air Cargo in 2011. However, it’s not used for cargo anymore.

GozeroG

G Force One. Photo: GoZeroG

N749AJ is operated on behalf of ZeroG, a specialist flight company. Known as ‘G Force One,’ the plane undertakes parabolic flights to give lucky passengers the chance to experience moments of weightlessness.

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Gulf & Caribbean Cargo

One Boeing 727 for cargo use

Gulf & Caribbean is another cargo operator still with the Boeing 727. It currently has just one active Boeing 727, with the registration N215WE. Delivered new to FedEx in 1984, the Boeing 727-200(F) joined Gulf & Caribbean Cargo in 2011.

It also has two further 727s in its fleet, but currently inactive and listed as stored.

Towards Air

One Boeing 727 for charter use

Towards Air is a private charter operator based in Victorville, California. It currently operates one Boeing 727-200 and has one more in storage. It previously operated three Boeing 727-100s as well.

The currently active aircraft has the registration N422BN. It was delivered new to Braniff International Airways in 1973 and transferred to American Airlines in 1981. It left American Airlines in 2002 and has been flying charter with Towards Air since 2008.

The video below is of another Boeing 727 operated by Towards Air and shows the interiors we might expect to see.

Raytheon Technologies

Operating one testbed Boeing 727

Delivered new to American Airlines in 1981, the Boeing 727-200 with the registration N289MT was acquired by Raytheon Technologies in 2002. It is a Multi-program Testbed (RMT) and has been modified to carry, integrate, and test cutting-edge sensors and systems.

Raytheon Boeing 727 RMT

Photo: Raytheon Technologies

Kalitta Charters II

Large but currently inactive Boeing 727 fleet

Kalitta Charters II It is an aircraft charter operator based in Michigan. It has a fleet of nine Boeing 727-200(F) aircraft. As of the end of 2023, one of these aircraft was in service, and it is possible it (or others) could still be used in the future. It also has a fleet of various Boeing 737 models for cargo charter.

Kalitta Boeing 727

The last active Boeing 727, with registration N725CK was first delivered in 1981 to Continental Airlines. It spent time with Astar Air Cargo before arriving with Kalitta Charters II in 2009.

This has been a quick look at the active Boeing 727s in the US in 2024. There are others around that are inactive and could return to service down the line.

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