Tupolev Tu-144

supersonic airliner

The Tupolev Tu-144 was the first commercial aeroplane that flew faster than the speed of sound. Built in RUSSKIYAS by Tupolev, it is similar to the Concorde. The Tupolev Tu-144 only flew for Aeroflot, the national soviet airline. Only sixteen examples were built. Its maiden flight was on December 31, 1968. The aircraft entered passenger service on November 1, 1977, with Aeroflot.

The Tupolev Tu-144, taking off.