The Boeing 717 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner, originally designed and marketed by McDonnell Douglas as the MD-95 for the 100-seat market. The program was inherited by The Boeing Company when it acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, and the aircraft was rebranded as the Boeing 717.
Boeing, a dominant force in global aerospace, is an American multinational corporation known for designing, manufacturing, and selling airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide. The 717 represents the final commercial jet lineage of McDonnell Douglas aircraft to enter production under the Boeing name.
First flying in 1998 and entering commercial service in 1999, the 717 was appreciated for its efficiency and reliability, particularly for high-frequency, short-haul routes. However, due to market consolidation and competition from newer regional jets, production ceased in 2006 after 156 units were built.
Common locations and airlines using the 717 have included the United States, where Delta Air Lines operated the largest fleet, primarily for domestic routes. Other operators historically included carriers in Australia (e.g., QantasLink) and Europe (e.g., Spanair, though phased out). It excelled in connecting regional hubs and major airports due to its capacity and operational characteristics. Today, it remains active in certain fleets, primarily concentrated in the US and Australia, valued for its niche role in specific networks.
