Shortened from the baseline Tu-204, the Tu-204-300 is Russia's domestic twin-turbofan narrow-body, first airborne in 2003 and still coming off the line. Its two Aviadvigatel PS-90A engines move 142 travellers in normal service and up to 166 when densely configured, over distances approaching 5,800 km. The fuselage runs 40.19 metres beneath a broad 41.80-metre wing, standing 13.88 metres tall, and cruise sits around 810 km/h with a service ceiling of 12,100 metres. Maximum takeoff weight reaches 107,900 kg. Because Western sanctions have curtailed Russian access to Boeing and Airbus jets, domestic carriers have turned increasingly to continued Tu-204 output as a substitute. Its ICAO designation is T204.
Variante encurtada do Tu-204, o narrow-body doméstico da Rússia. Com as sanções ocidentais limitando o acesso à Boeing e Airbus, as companhias aéreas russas estão aumentando sua dependência na produção do Tu-204.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tupolev Tu-204-300 typically seats 142 passengers in a two-class configuration. In a single-class high-density layout, it can carry up to 166 passengers. The cabin is 3.58 m wide with a 3-3 seating arrangement. The Tu-204-300 is a shortened version of the Tu-204, designed for longer-range operations with fewer passengers.
The Tupolev Tu-204-300 has a maximum range of approximately 9,300 km (5,022 nautical miles), significantly more than the standard Tu-204's 4,200 km. This extended range is achieved through the shortened fuselage reducing weight while maintaining the same fuel capacity. The aircraft uses two Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofan engines, a domestically produced Russian powerplant.
The Tu-204 family was designed to compete directly with the Boeing 757 and has similar dimensions and performance. The Tu-204-300 carries fewer passengers (142 vs 180 in two-class) but has greater range (9,300 km vs 7,222 km). However, the Tu-204 family has been plagued by low production rates, reliability issues, and limited commercial appeal compared to Western competitors. Only about 80 Tu-204/214 aircraft of all variants have been delivered.
The Tu-204-300 has a conventional twin-engine low-wing configuration with underwing-mounted PS-90A engines. It resembles the Boeing 757 in overall proportions, with a long narrow fuselage and swept wings. The cockpit features a distinctive Russian design with larger upper windshield panels. The winglets (on some variants) have a distinctive shape. The aircraft is primarily seen at Russian airports.
The Tu-204 family has been produced in very small numbers, with approximately 80 aircraft delivered across all variants since the first flight in 1989. Production rates averaged only 2-3 aircraft per year at the Aviastar-SP factory in Ulyanovsk, Russia. Following Western sanctions, Russia announced plans to increase Tu-214 (the variant for Russian government airlines) production to replace banned Boeing and Airbus aircraft. However, scaling up production has proven extremely challenging due to supply chain limitations and the need to replace imported Western avionics.