Tupolev Tu-334

Tupolev · Russia · first flew 1999 · airliner

The Tu-334 is a short to medium-range regional jet seating around 100 passengers, using rear-mounted engines and a T-tail rather than the underwing layout of its Tu-204 parent.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, swept
E — Engines	2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Two turbofans on the rear fuselage sides
T — Tail	T-tail

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

T-tail over rear-mounted engines
Two turbofans on the rear fuselage sides
DC-9 / MD-80 style silhouette

Unlike the underwing Tu-204 and Tu-214, this aircraft carries its two turbofans on the sides of the rear fuselage beneath a T-tail. The result is a silhouette much like a DC-9 or MD-80. The nose and cockpit windows echo the Tu-204 family.

Specifications

The Tupolev Tu-334 has a length of 31.26 m (103 ft).
It has a wingspan of 29.77 m (98 ft).
Its maximum speed is 820 km/h (510 mph).
Typical crew: 2-3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Tupolev conceived the type as a modern replacement for the Tu-134 and Yak-42, reusing Tu-204 technology and cockpit design. It first flew in 1999 powered by Ukrainian D-436 turbofans. Development dragged on through the 2000s without a firm production commitment.

Variants

Only about two airframes were built and flown, so distinct variants never materialised. Proposals for stretched and re-engined versions were floated but not realised. The Ukrainian engine dependence later became a political liability.

Where you'll see it

The Tu-334 never entered commercial service and had no UK relevance. The programme was effectively cancelled around 2009 as Russian industry consolidated behind the Sukhoi Superjet. It survives only as prototypes.

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