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Tupolev Tu-334

United Aircraft Corporation · Narrow-body jet airliner · Russia · Modern (1992–2009)

Tupolev Tu-334 — Narrow-body jet airliner
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The Tupolev Tu-334 is a Russian short-haul short-haul jet airliner — the post-Soviet Tupolev successor to the Tu-134. Tupolev developed the Tu-334 in 1995-1999; the prototype first flew on 8 February 1999. Only 2 Tu-334 airframes were built; the type was effectively cancelled in 2009 when the Russian government chose to fund the competing Sukhoi Superjet 100 instead. The Tu-334 has not entered scheduled airline service.

The Tu-334 used two Progress D-436T1 turbofan engines (16,500 lbf each), maximum speed 820 km/h, range 4,100 km, service ceiling 11,100 m. Capacity: 102 passengers in standard configuration. The aircraft used a T-tail rear-engine layout (similar to the Fokker 100 / McDonnell Douglas MD-87) with fly-by-wire controls and glass-cockpit avionics. The Tu-334 was specifically designed to compete with the Embraer E-Jets, Bombardier CRJ, and Sukhoi Superjet 100 in the global short-haul-airliner market.

The Tu-334 programme stalled because Russian government aviation strategy diverted funding to the competing Sukhoi Superjet 100 from 2003 onward. The Sukhoi Superjet was seen as more-modern (composite airframe components, Western engine suppliers Snecma / Pratt & Whitney Canada), more Western-cooperation-friendly, and more-likely to gain international certification. About $1 billion was invested in Tu-334 development before cancellation; no airframes have been built beyond the original 2 prototypes. The Tu-334 was formally cancelled in 2009. Tupolev's post-Soviet civilian airliner business has since focused on Tu-204 / Tu-214 production.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Tupolev Tu-334 is a Russian jet airliner. It was made to carry passengers on short trips. The plane could hold up to 102 people. It was designed to replace an older Russian jet called the Tu-134.

The Tu-334 first flew on February 8, 1999. That was a big day for the team at Tupolev. The plane had two engines mounted at the back. It also had a T-shaped tail, which made it look very sleek.

The Tu-334 could fly faster than most cars can ever go. Its top speed was about 820 kilometers per hour. It could also fly as far as 4,100 kilometers on one trip. That is longer than a drive across all of Russia's western cities!

Sadly, only two of these planes were ever built. The Russian government decided to put money into a different jet called the Sukhoi Superjet 100 instead. That choice was made in 2009. The Tu-334 never carried paying passengers on a real airline route.

The Tu-334 was meant to compete with jets from Brazil and Canada. It had modern controls and a glass cockpit with digital screens. But without funding, the program ended before it could take off for good.

Fun Facts

  • The Tu-334 could carry 102 passengers — enough to fill nearly two full school buses!
  • The first Tu-334 prototype took its first flight on February 8, 1999.
  • Only two Tu-334 aircraft were ever built before the program was cancelled.
  • The plane's engines were mounted at the back of the fuselage, not under the wings.
  • Its top speed was about 820 kilometers per hour — faster than most other short-haul jets of its time.
  • The Tu-334 had a glass cockpit, meaning pilots used digital screens instead of old-style dials.
  • The Russian government chose the Sukhoi Superjet 100 over the Tu-334 in 2009.
  • The Tu-334 never flew a single paying passenger on a real airline route.

Kids’ Questions

What made the Tu-334 special?

The Tu-334 had modern digital controls called fly-by-wire. It also had a glass cockpit with screens instead of old dials. Its engines sat at the back of the plane, giving it a clean and unique look.

Why was the Tu-334 cancelled?

The Russian government decided to fund a newer jet called the Sukhoi Superjet 100. That jet used more modern parts and newer engines. So the Tu-334 lost its funding and the program ended in 2009.

Did the Tu-334 ever fly with real passengers?

No, the Tu-334 never carried paying passengers on a real airline route. Only two planes were built, and they were used just for testing. The jet was cancelled before it could enter service.

Variants

Tu-334-100 (basic)
Original 102-passenger production specification. 2 prototypes built.

Notable Operators

(none — never entered service)
The Tu-334 was cancelled before entering scheduled airline service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Tu-334 cancelled?

Russian government aviation strategy diverted funding to the competing Sukhoi Superjet 100 from 2003 onward. The Superjet was seen as more-modern (composite airframe components, Snecma / Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, joint French-Italian-Russian development), more-likely to gain international certification, and more Western-cooperation-friendly. About $1 billion was invested in Tu-334 development before cancellation in 2009.

Was the Tu-334 ever flown commercially?

No — only test flights. The two prototype airframes conducted certification testing through the 2000s but did not enter commercial service. Russian airlines did not place firm orders, and the 2009 cancellation ended development.

How is the Tu-334 different from the Tu-134?

The Tu-134 was the 1960s Soviet short-haul jet (76-96 passengers, NK-8 engines, glazed nose). The Tu-334 was the modern post-Soviet replacement (102 passengers, Progress D-436 turbofan, conventional nose, fly-by-wire). Different airframes; only the airliner role is shared.

What happened to Tupolev after the Tu-334 cancellation?

Tupolev's civilian airliner business has since focused on continuing Tu-204 / Tu-214 production at Kazan and Ulyanovsk. The 2022 Russian sanctions response has driven additional Tu-214 production for Russian government and military VIP transport use. Tupolev has not attempted another civilian short-haul-airliner programme since the Tu-334 cancellation.

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