The Fairchild-Dornier 328JET is a short range regional jet airliner, originally designed by Germany’s Dornier. It is a jet version of the turboprop Dornier 328 and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306B turbofans.
Dornier experienced financial difficulties in the 1990s and was taken over by Fairchild Aircraft of the USA. They elected to continue with the 328JET programme. First flight took place on 20 January 1998 from Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany and first deliveries commenced in July 1999.
Fairchild-Dornier 328JET Video
Following on from the last video about the Soviet Tupolev Tu-124, we stay in Europe this time for a look at the Dornier 328JET. This runs for a little under three minutes and is a flight on a Sun-Air aircraft.
For those that may not know, Sun-Air are a British Airways franchise airline within Europe. They operate an all economy class service, but as you’ll see from the cabin, it’s very comfortable and everyone gets a meal.
As it’s such a small aircraft, it feels a little like a private jet, with the seating arranged two by one. British Airways have seating for 31 passengers on board.
The video shows inside the cabin, outside, the cockpit and on board service, so it gives a decent feel for things. There are some little details such as the names which is pretty unusual!
Overall Thoughts
Production of the Dornier 328JET ran from 1996 to around 2004 and a total of 110 aircraft were produced. Today, you can find them with Sun-Air of Scandinavia as I’ve mentioned, as well as two airlines in the United States.
Have you ever flown on board the Dornier 328JET? What is it like? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Transport Pixels via Wikimedia Commons.
The plane look a bit ugly and inside was, if I remember accurately, was a little bigger than an Embraer ERJ135. Delta Connection Atlantic Coast flew them, among other airlines. I only had the chance to fly inside once
Great that you had a chance to fly on board one. It certainly looks very small, judging from the cabin shots in the video, so I am not at all surprised by that. Thanks for the comment!
I was fortunate to have flown aboard both the 328JET and the 328 (turboprop). The 328 that I was aboard was a US Airways Express / PSA flight
The engine sounds were different but everything else was the same
Good to know, thank you for that!
Never flew it but I remember reading an article about it when it first started flying in the US. It was faster than a prop but slower than most jets in the air and ATC asked the pilots of a Skyway flight: “What ARE you?” Thought it was kind of funny and ATC sandwiched those in above the props and below the faster jets. Took a little adjustment to sequence them in to landing patterns. Nice little plane that probably should have been more successful than it was.
Hahaha – I’ve heard the same, that it’s faster than a turboprop but not as fast as other jets. I am hoping to get on one of the Sun-Air ones either later this year or next year, just to say I’ve tried it. Let’s hope that happens! Thanks for the comment!