Originally Posted by
chinatraderjmr
I flew Polkovo Airways twice and had 2 great flights on old Soviet aircraft. Forgot what kind. A short hop from Moscow - St Petersburg an a plane that looked like a 727 on steroids. But the best was St Petersburg - TLV in a converted bomber. I was only passenger in C and the F/A's let we come down the giant stairs that lead to the belly (bomb bay) from the center of C class. That's where the crew smokes so I was welcome to come down any time. They also let me in the cockpit during the flight. 4 PILOTS!!!!! The largest cockpit I've ever seen and everything was analog. Not an led light or dial in the whole place (Captain, F/O, Engineer and NAVAGATOR
It doesn't sound safe to me for a flight to have its FAs smoking downstairs, presumably near the cargo and checked luggage. However, what an interesting experience!