Aircraft Type
Boeing 720 “707's Shorter Cousin”
The Boeing 720 was a narrow-body, mid-size commercial jet airliner that served as a transitional model between the Boeing 707 and later Boeing commercial aircraft, playing a crucial role in the early jet age of commercial aviation.
IATAB72ICAOB720ManufacturerBoeingScore3.30/10StatusIn Production
Represented an important intermediate development stage in Boeing's early jet transport evolution, bridging the gap between the revolutionary 707 and more advanced subsequent models
The Boeing 720 was essentially a shortened and lighter version of the 707, designed to be more suitable for shorter routes and smaller airports with less demanding runway requirements
Cabin Environment
How the Boeing 720 affects jetlag recovery
Technical Specifications
Dimensions
41.4 m
Length
39.8 m
Wingspan
11.6 m
Height
Performance
5,630 km
Range
850 km/h
Cruise Speed
4× Pratt & Whitney JT3D turbofan
Engines
How It Compares
vs. Douglas DC-8
✓Potentially more modern cabin design for its era
✗Likely better long-range performance for the DC-8
vs. Convair 880
✓Possibly more fuel-efficient design
✗Potentially faster cruising speed for the Convair 880
vs. Boeing 707
✓Potentially more compact and versatile airframe
✗The 707 was a more established and widely used aircraft of the same era