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Tupolev Tu-134

Tupolev · Short/Medium-Range Narrowbody Jet Airliner · USSR · Cold War (1970–1991)

Tupolev Tu-134 — Short/Medium-Range Narrowbody Jet Airliner
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The Tupolev Tu-134 (NATO reporting name Crusty) was a Soviet short-haul jet airliner — the Soviet equivalent of the early Douglas DC-9 / BAC 1-11 / Sud Aviation Caravelle generation of rear-engine jets. Andrei Tupolev's design bureau developed the Tu-134 in 1960-1962 as a successor to the wingroot-engine Tu-124. The prototype first flew on 29 July 1963; about 854 Tu-134s were built between 1966 and 1989 at Kharkov Plant No. 135 — making the type the most-numerous Soviet airliner ever. Aeroflot operated the Tu-134 from 1967 through 2007; the type continues in limited Russian short-haul commercial service through 2026.

The Tu-134 used two Soloviev D-30 turbofan engines (14,700 lbf each) mounted on rear-fuselage pylons. Maximum speed 950 km/h, range 2,400 km, service ceiling 11,900 m. Capacity: 76-96 passengers depending on configuration. The rear-fuselage engine layout (similar to Boeing 727, Douglas DC-9, Sud Caravelle) gave a clean wing and quiet cabin — major improvements over the wingroot-engine Tu-104 / Tu-124. The aircraft had a distinctive glazed nose section housing a navigator's position; later Tu-134B variants eliminated the navigator and added a conventional nose-radome.

Tu-134 service was extensive across Aeroflot Soviet domestic and international routes plus ~30 export operators including Interflug (East Germany), CSA (Czechoslovakia), LOT (Poland), MALÉV (Hungary), Tarom (Romania), Aviogenex (Yugoslavia), Cubana de Aviación, Vietnam Airlines, Mongolian Airlines, and many others. The Soviet Air Forces operated several VIP and navigation-training Tu-134 variants. Production continued until 1989 — uncharacteristically long for a 1960s-era design. About 80 Tu-134s remain in active commercial service in 2026 across Russian short-haul operators and a few smaller former-Soviet states.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Tupolev Tu-134 was a jet airliner made in the Soviet Union. It carried passengers on short trips. Pilots called it "Crusty" as a code name. It could hold up to 96 passengers at once.

The Tu-134 was designed in the early 1960s. It first flew on July 29, 1963. Then it started carrying real passengers in 1967. The plane kept flying for Aeroflot all the way until 2007!

This plane had two engines at the back of the body. That design kept the wings clean and the cabin quiet. Passengers loved how much quieter it was than older Soviet jets. The wing design is similar to other famous jets from the same era.

About 854 Tu-134s were built between 1966 and 1989. That makes it the most-built Soviet airliner ever. It is longer than a standard city bus, and nearly as wide. Around 30 airlines across the world flew this aircraft.

Some Tu-134s are still flying today! The plane had a special glass nose where a navigator sat and helped guide the flight. Later models removed that glass nose and used radar instead.

Fun Facts

  • About 854 Tu-134s were built, making it the most-built Soviet airliner ever.
  • The Tu-134 is faster than a race car, reaching speeds of about 950 km/h!
  • Its two engines are mounted at the back of the plane, not on the wings.
  • The plane carried passengers for Aeroflot for 40 whole years, from 1967 to 2007.
  • Early Tu-134s had a glass nose where a navigator helped guide the plane.
  • Around 30 different airlines around the world flew the Tu-134.
  • The Tu-134 could fly as high as about 11,900 meters — way above the clouds!
  • Some Tu-134 planes are still flying passengers today, more than 60 years after the first flight.

Kids’ Questions

Why are the engines at the back of the plane?

Putting the engines at the back kept the wings clear and simple. It also made the inside of the plane much quieter for passengers. Many famous jets from the 1960s used the same idea.

What was the glass nose on the Tu-134 for?

The glass nose had a special seat for a navigator. The navigator looked out and helped guide the plane on its route. Later versions of the Tu-134 removed the glass nose and used radar instead.

How many passengers could the Tu-134 carry?

The Tu-134 could carry between 76 and 96 passengers. That is about the same as two full school buses! The exact number depended on how the seats were set up inside.

Variants

Tu-134 (basic 72 pax)
Original 1966-1969 production. About 200 built. Glazed nose with navigator's position.
Tu-134A (76 pax, improved)
Lengthened-fuselage variant. About 400 built. Standard production variant of the type.
Tu-134B (96 pax, conventional nose)
Final production variant with conventional nose-radome (no navigator). About 250 built 1985-1989.
Tu-134Sh / Tu-134UBL (military trainer)
Soviet Air Forces flight-crew training variants. About 90 built.

Notable Operators

Aeroflot / Russian short-haul airlines
Lead operator. ~700 Tu-134s in Aeroflot service 1967-2007. About 50 Tu-134s in active Russian short-haul service in 2026.
Soviet-aligned export operators (~30)
Interflug, CSA, LOT, MALÉV, Tarom, Aviogenex, Cubana, Vietnam Airlines, Mongolian Airlines, Air Koryo, and many others. Combined ~150 airframes.
Soviet / Russian Air Forces
Operates ~30 Tu-134Sh / Tu-134UBL flight-training and VIP airframes through the 2020s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the Tu-134 distinctive?

The glazed nose section — earlier Tu-134 variants retained a navigator's position with extensive nose glazing for visual navigation (similar to Soviet military bombers). This was a holdover from Soviet airliner doctrine emphasising navigator-led navigation. Later Tu-134B variants (1985+) replaced the glazed nose with a conventional radome. The rear-mounted engines also gave the Tu-134 a distinctive silhouette similar to the DC-9 / BAC 1-11 / Caravelle.

How many Tu-134s were built?

About 854 airframes between 1966 and 1989 at Kharkov Plant No. 135 — making the Tu-134 the most-numerous Soviet airliner ever built. Aeroflot took about 700; the remaining 150 went to ~30 export operators.

Is the Tu-134 still flying?

Yes — about 80 Tu-134s remain in active service in 2026. Most are with Russian short-haul operators (Alrosa, Ural Airlines, IzhAvia, Saratov Airlines) on Russian domestic short-haul routes. Some serve former-Soviet states (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Mongolia) and a few Russian Air Forces VIP / training units. The type's continuing use reflects its low operating cost and the lack of suitable Western alternatives in Russia's short-haul market.

How is the Tu-134 different from the Tu-124?

The Tu-124 used wingroot-mounted engines (like the parent Tu-104). The Tu-134 moved the engines to rear-fuselage pylons (like Boeing 727, DC-9, BAC 1-11). Otherwise the Tu-134 is roughly similar size to the Tu-124 (~75 passengers vs. ~60) but with much better cabin layout, fuel economy, and noise levels. The Tu-134 production run (854) was much larger than the Tu-124's (165).

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