Flying the Classics in Asia
 

Was wondering if there were any small airlines/ charters still flying the old classics in the Asian Region. Stuff like DC-3’s, Lockheed Tristars, 707’s etc.. Seldom do you see these birds out in Asia, as it’s 737’s and 320’s for the most part.

Any info anyone..??

I think OX still flies the 747-100 / -200 planes.

Couldn't seem to find any clear info on their site on the aircraft types they operate? ON some routes they seem to be operating a MD-82. No info on the B747's though?

according to wiki they have 3 743 in operation and 1 744 with an additional one in storage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient_Thai_Airlines

Over in New Zealand there's a charter DC-3:
http://www.nzwarbirds.org.nz/dakota/charter.html
In Iran Saha Airlines operates at least one 707 supposedly. If you are looking for older aircraft head north the 'stans. There are a number of AN-24 and various others operating though I'm not sure for how much longer. A couple years back an hour flight on an AN-24 was something like $50 US in Kyrgystan.

You'd more likely find actual "classics" flying in Africa now rather than East or Southeast Asia. I suspect Indonesia, with all the little airlines and flying services, might prove a fruitful hunting ground for smaller aircraft relics that are (sort of) still airworthy. You're not going to find these things in normal commercial service on major airlines or most countries' flag carriers, if that's what you're looking for.

True, in fact have heard there's a DC-3 flying scheduled services to the islands off the Tanzanian Coast. But, since i'm MAA based, Asia is a closer hop for me and also sees me in the region for work more often than say Africa, hence the search for classics in Asia...

Were seaplanes popular in island/ touristy destinations back in the day, before landing strips were built.? Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia & Philippines all have so many islands that have been tourist centers for quite a while.

Was wondering if sea-planes ever plied these routes back in the day..?

You can also look for photos of these planes over on airliners.net

Here's a page with a picture taken July 29, 2011 of an Iceland Air DC-3 in Reykjavik.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Icela...bb1a50f58f4ebe

If one considers middle east asia, then OP can fly IR 747SP.

Apparently they only operate one 747 at the moment, between BKK and HKG and that's a -400 (ex SQ/CX).

Not sure if you consider this a classic, but several Indonesian airlines till fly the 737-200. But you gotta hurry if you want to fly them, because most of them are getting phased out really soon...

Any info on which carriers these might be?

Merpati and Express Air have some left, IIRC. You can do a search here: http://www.airfleets.net

Coming in way late here, but if you're looking for a "classic" flight on an Asian flag carrier, Biman (Bangladesh) still has 2 or 3 DC-10s. There's a trip report somewhere in the archives along with photos; these old birds are definitely showing their age.

They're bringing some 773s into the fleet right now, so the "classic" days may be numbered.