Originally Posted by
Seat 2A
My first 737 flight was in August 1972 aboard a United bird between LAX and SBA. Since then, I've logged 2083 flights aboard seven different variants totaling 2,050,590 miles. Who'd have ever guessed at such totals back then? The largest jet I ever flew into SBA was a United 727-222 back in 1985.
United operated mainline jet service between LAX and SBA for a number of years before ceasing flights on the route. 1976, United and Hughes Airwest were both operating jet service between LAX and SBA, RW with the DC9-30 and UA with the B727-100, B727-200 and B737-200. By 1979, UA was still operating LAX-SBA flights with B727-200 and B737-200 equipment while RW was no longer flying the route. United then ceased LAX-SBA mainline jet flights as well. Jet service between SBA and LAX briefly returned during the early 1980's with Pacific Express operating the BAC One-Eleven between the two airports.
As for my first flight on board a 737, it was with United from ORD to MBS on board a 73S back in the summer of 1971. In fact, that whole day was one of "airline firsts" for yours truly and included my first scheduled helicopter airline flight (SFO Airways S-61 from OAK to SFO) as well as my first 747 flight (American B747-100 from SFO to ORD).