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On Monday, May 24, 1999, the newest member of the Boeing commercial jet airplane family the 717-200 will land at Miami International Airport (MIA) at 11:30 a.m. The plane will be greeted with a water cannon salute by the Miami-Dade Fire Department. (A 20-minute window will be provided to the media see the inside of the plane.)
Monday’s operational test run is in anticipation of AirTran Airways’ first Boeing 717-200 revenue flight scheduled for the last quarter of 1999. AirTran is the first carrier scheduled to receive this new model of aircraft, an honor traditionally reserved for a major airline.
The Boeing 717-200 twinjet will serve a worldwide market that demands full-size jetliner comfort, low operating costs and schedule reliability. Interior features include spacious five-across economy-class passengers and cabin crew seating, illuminated handrails, spacious overhead luggage bins for carry-on baggage, the largest windows of any 100-seat jetliner and vacuum lavatories. With a wingspan of 93.5 feet (28.4 m) and overall length of 124 feet (37.8 m), the 717-200 is similar in size and configuration to the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Series 30.
The two-crewmember cockpit incorporates modern avionics technology, configured around six interchangeable liquid crystal display units similar to those on the 737 and 777. The plane sits 117 and has been designed for efficient short-hop service, short-field operations, fast turnaround at airport gates, and the ability to sustain eight to 12 one-hour flights per day.
For further information, call the Metro-Dade Aviation Department, Office of Public Affairs at 305.876-7017.
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