Long-lost Pago Pago services

DCF · Dec 24, 08, 10:40 pm

I've noticed today from a 1974 timetable on the "Airline Route Updates" website that in 1974 Air New Zealand used to operate two weekly DC-8 services between Auckland and Pago Pago as well as a AKL-NAN-PPG-RAR-PPT weekly flight, also by DC-8. In other words, there were more TE flights to Pago Pago each work from Auckland than there were to Brisbane.

In addition, Pan Am also operated 707s to Auckland via Pago Pago at that time.

When I visited American Samoa for the first time in 1981 the Pan Am flights had ended and the former Inter-Continental hotel was in a sorry state, and when I returned in 2001 the Rainmaker was by then semi-closed.

My question is simple: was there really a Pago Pago-Auckland market, or did these flights occur simply because Apia didn't yet have an international airport - i.e. was there only the now-defunct Fagalii Airport and no Faleolo?

number_6 · Dec 30, 08, 8:07 pm

CO ran DC-10s LAX-HNL-PagoPago-SYD for several years (3 times a week, with service via NAN on the other days). There was a huge cargo facility at PagoPago with hundreds, maybe thousands, of stranded cargo containers on the tarmac (some rusting). Apparently it was a big air freight center. Maybe TE was profitable just from the freight side on this route.

MrSydney · Dec 31, 08, 3:25 pm

I am pretty sure NZ pulled out when Apia opened.

I flew CO via Pago Pago from AKL in 1980 - mmmmmhhhh that airport was unique to say the least. I recall half the town came out to watch the DC10 arrive and depart.

Kiwi_FF · Dec 31, 08, 4:42 pm

I flew on Pan Am through Pago Pago in 1976. Charter version 707's that did not have the range to get to HNL direct from AKL.

No air stairs at either there or AKL board on the tarmac up steps, flight home had two aircraft one to AKl one to HNL plenty of wrong pax on both.

After several PA calls and pax counts they finally went up the AKL flight aisles with signs saying Auckland and more pax got off. Very funny.

Also did the old CO DC10 flights a few times AKL-HNL.

Seats were much bigger in those days! In fact at Duxford in the Uk there are some old VC10s and 707's with original seats and the Y seats of those dates were as good as NZ's old F seats.

How times change!