IATA CRVICAO S210

Aerospatiale (Sud Aviation) Se.210 Caravelle

Aerospatiale

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Europe's pioneering short-to-medium range rear-engined jetliner.

First flight

1955

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

80–139 passengers depending on variant

Range

1,700–3,150 km depending on variant

Engines

Two rear-mounted turbojets or turbofans (variant dependent); early models used Rolls-Royce Avon, later models used Pratt & Whitney JT8D

Status

Retired

The Sud Aviation SE.210 Caravelle was a French short-to-medium range commercial jet airliner developed in the early 1950s in response to a requirement from the French civil aviation authority. It was the first short-to-medium range jet airliner to enter service and was notable for its revolutionary rear-mounted engine configuration, which kept the wings aerodynamically clean and reduced cabin noise. The Caravelle entered service with Air France and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) in 1959 and went on to serve with numerous European and international carriers. It was produced in several variants, with the Caravelle III, VIR, and 11R being among the most widely used. Total production reached 282 aircraft across all variants before the line closed in 1972. The aircraft's design influenced many subsequent airliners, including the Douglas DC-9 and the British BAC One-Eleven, both of which adopted the rear-engine layout pioneered by the Caravelle. Though long retired from commercial service, a small number of Caravelles survive in museums.

Notable operators

Major operators included Air France, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Iberia, Alitalia, United Airlines, and Finnair.

Notable facts

›First flight took place on 27 May 1955, with the prototype designated SE.210.
›The Caravelle was the world's first short-to-medium range jet airliner to enter commercial service.
›Its rear-engine design directly influenced the Douglas DC-9 and BAC One-Eleven.
›The nose section was derived from the de Havilland Comet, licensed from Britain.
›A total of 282 Caravelles were built between 1955 and 1972.