The BAe 146 is a British short-haul jet airliner and cargo aircraft, designed and built by the British Aerospace company. It was first flown at the end of 1981 and entered service with launch customer British Airways in 1983. The third generation of the regional jet family, it has been produced in two main variants: as a passenger aircraft seating up to 120 passengers or as a freighter capable of carrying up to 70 tonnes (154,000 lb) payload.