Tupolev-144

Soviet Supersonic Passenger Aircraft

The world’s first supersonic passenger aircraft became a Tu-144. It was designed by A.N. Tupolev Design Bureau. The maiden flight of the prototype was in December 31, 1968 (two month earlier than British-French Concorde). The serial production began in 1971. All in all 9 Tu-144 aircraft with NK-144A engines were built up to 1977. They could to transport 150 passengers in up to 4150 km range. The cruiser speed was about 2340 km/h. Two aircraft (SSSR-77109 and SSSR-77110) made regular passages in Moscow – Alma-Ata line from November 1, 1977 to June 1, 1978.