Fairchild Dornier 728 Family

The regional jet family built to modernize short-haul travel.

Overview

Dornier GmbH Germany 2000–2002 $20 million (2000)

The Fairchild Dornier 728 was part of a planned family of regional jets designed to offer advanced avionics and passenger comfort. Developed in the late 1990s, it aimed to compete in the 70-seat market segment. The program was halted before entry into service.

Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × General Electric CF34-8D3
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 12,500 lbf · 56 kN
Avionics
Honeywell Primus Epic
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
85 economy · 80 business · 63 first
Crew
—
Cabin width
10 ft 8 in  ·  3.25 m
Cabin height
6 ft 9 in  ·  2.05 m
Cabin length
59 ft 1 in  ·  18.02 m
Exterior length
89 ft 11 in  ·  27.40 m
Tail height
29 ft 8 in  ·  9.05 m
Fuselage diameter
11 ft 2 in  ·  3.40 m
Wing span
89 ft 0 in  ·  27.12 m
Baggage volume
906 ft³  ·  25.7 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
77,500 lb  ·  35,200 kg
Max landing weight
71,000 lb  ·  32,200 kg
Max payload
20,900 lb  ·  9,500 kg
Fuel capacity
6,300 gal · 23,900 L · 19,100 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
464 kt  ·  534 mph  ·  859 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
1,660 nm  ·  1,910 mi  ·  3,070 km
Fuel burn
0.35 nm/gal  ·  0.17 km/L
Ceiling
37,000 ft  ·  11,300 m
Rate of climb
—
Takeoff distance
4,800 ft  ·  1,460 m
Landing distance
4,650 ft  ·  1,420 m
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Dornier 728 as a test vehicle for climate researc

Operational Context

Fairchild Dornier 728 Family — proposed regional jet series

The 728 program began in the late 1990s as a new-generation regional jet platform. It featured a modern fuselage cross-section and fly-by-wire controls. The aircraft was intended to form the basis of a broader family including larger and smaller variants.

Planned performance included cruise speeds around 470 knots (870 km/h) and a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 80,000 pounds (36,300 kg) for the 728 variant. Seating capacity was projected at around 70 passengers. Advanced avionics and efficient engines were central to its design goals.

Financial difficulties led to the cancellation of the program in the early 2000s. Although prototypes were constructed, the aircraft never entered airline service. The 728 remains a notable example of an ambitious but unrealized regional jet project.