Dassault Mercure
Dassault Aviation
About
The Dassault Mercure is a French twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner designed and built by Dassault Aviation in the early 1970s. First flown in 1971 and entering service in 1974, it was designed as a short-haul airliner to compete with the Boeing 737-200 and Douglas DC-9. The Mercure featured a wide cabin capable of seating up to 162 passengers in high-density configuration and was powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines. Despite its advanced design and spacious cabin, the Mercure suffered from limited range (only 918 nautical miles) which restricted its market appeal. The aircraft was optimized for European short-haul routes but could not compete economically on longer routes. Only 12 aircraft were built, with 10 entering service with Air Inter (the French domestic airline). The Mercure represents an important chapter in French aviation history and influenced later European collaborative aircraft projects like the Airbus A320. Production ended in 1975 after significant financial losses.
Weightscompared to Boeing 757-300
Capacitycompared to Boeing 757-300
Passenger Capacity
55% of 757-300 maximum capacity
Crew
Dimensions
Length
Wingspan
Height
Wing Area
Catalog Price
Base List Price
$4.5M USD
1973 catalog price
Note: Actual prices vary based on configuration, options, and negotiations. This represents the manufacturer's base catalog price.
Engine Specifications
Engine Count
2×
Engine Model
Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15
Thrust per Engine
68.9 kN(15489 lbf)
Fuel & Cargo
Fuel Capacity
13,500 L
Cargo Volume
14.5 m³
Production & History
Total Produced
12
Production Status
Out of production
Manufacturing Period
1971–1975
First Flight
May 28, 1971
Entered Service
June 4, 1974
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