Last Boeing 720 Flight

Last week saw the final ever flight of a Boeing 720 aircraft as Pratt & Whitney Canada – the last operator of the type – retired their example in favour of more modern aircraft.

The Boeing 720 was a short-to-medium haul adaptation of the Boeing 707, and first flew in 1959. Only 154 examples were built, and it was later superseded by the more advanced Boeing 727.

The last flight took place from Trenton CFB, Ontario, on 8th May 2012, and Ian Ellington was there to witness it. These photos were taken by him of the low fly-by and interior of the aircraft.

This last 720 was C-FETB, jokingly named Pinocchio due to its extra long nose cone. Originally the aircraft was delivered to American Airlines in 1961, and later flew for Middle East Airlines. With Pratt & Whitney it was used as a flying test bed for turboprop and turbofan engines.

It’s sad to see another classic type being resigned to the history books, but fantastic that Ian was there to document the event on camera.