British Aerospace Bae 3100 Jetstream 31

Twin Turboprop· 10 globally registered

The British Aerospace Jetstream 31 is a twin-turboprop regional airliner that became the workhorse of short-haul commuter routes across North America, Europe, and Australia from the mid-1980s onward. Developed from the earlier Handley Page Jetstream, the J31 featured Garrett TPE331 turboprops, a pressurized cabin seating 18-19 passengers, and a reputation for rugged reliability on thin routes where jets were uneconomical. With a cruise speed around 240 knots and range of roughly 600 nautical miles, it carved out a niche connecting small cities to regional hubs, often operating multiple short hops daily in all weather conditions. The type earned particular respect for its ability to maintain schedules in challenging environments (high-altitude airports, short runways, and icing conditions) where larger aircraft couldn't venture. Though production ended in 1993 after roughly 380 aircraft were built, the Jetstream 31 soldiered on for decades in passenger service, cargo operations, and specialized roles including air ambulance and corporate shuttle work. Its straightforward systems, relatively low operating costs, and proven Garrett engines made it a favorite among regional carriers and charter operators who valued dispatch reliability over speed or comfort. By the 2020s most had retired from scheduled airline service, replaced by more efficient turboprops like the Dash 8 and ATR 42, but a small fleet remains active in cargo, charter, and private operations. SkyMeter has tracked 6 flights across 2 airframes and 2 operators over routes, with Northwestern Air Lease Ltd the largest observed operator.