Landing Yesterday at MSP Was the Last in an Era

Once the backbone of Northwest's fleet, the 727 (right) is now a relic of that airline's past. Yesterday, the final flight of the old three-holer went from Denver to home in the frigid Twin Cities.

Following the DC-10s into retirement by just a few months, the 727's spot in the lineup has been taken over by the A319 and A320 (below), twin-engine designs that burn roughly 2/3 the fuel, require 2/3 the cockpit crew, and carry the same passenger load in their "interchangeable" cockpits.

Northwest has flown as many as 100 of the 727s at any given time; but, six months ago, with a dwindling passenger roster and just 20 of the birds still flying for the airline, the decision was made to put the rest of them into retirement.

Northwest is planning on salvaging the engines, to use on its existing fleet of DC-9s. The airframes could be sold, if anyone wants one. (There is a plentiful supply of decent 727s on the used-plane market.)

For now, Northwest's fleet consists of DC-9s, handling the 100~125-seat market; the Airbus twins, in the 124~148-seat range; and 757-200s and -300s, which seat up to 224 PAX.

[Northwest is retaining six 727s, to use in its NBA charter service, serving contracts that extend through the current pro basketball season --ed.]

FMI: www.nwa.com