727-200 US AirBoeing 727 airplane model US Air. The first Model 727, adorned with the United Airlines insignia, took its inaugural flight on February 9, 1963, amidst estimates of a potential market for 300 or more aircraft. However, sales did not meet expectations initially. It wasn't until Boeing's management recognized the demand for a higher capacity, short range transport plane that they decided to develop a stretched version of the 727, known as the 727 200.