Flying the Classics in Asia
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,267
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..??
Any info anyone..??
#3
Original Poster




Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,267
#4




Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient_Thai_Airlines
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,001
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.
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.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
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.
#7
Original Poster




Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,267
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.
#8
Original Poster




Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,267
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..?
Was wondering if sea-planes ever plied these routes back in the day..?
#9


Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: T82
Programs: AA Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 2,845
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
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
#11
Join Date: May 2011
Location: In a bowl...
Programs: *, 1W
Posts: 90
Apparently they only operate one 747 at the moment, between BKK and HKG and that's a -400 (ex SQ/CX).
#13
Original Poster




Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,267
#14
Join Date: May 2011
Location: In a bowl...
Programs: *, 1W
Posts: 90
Merpati and Express Air have some left, IIRC. You can do a search here: http://www.airfleets.net
#15
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LCH
Programs: Continited, DL, KLM/AF, AA, US, AS, AC, VS, LH, BA, QF, NH
Posts: 72
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.
They're bringing some 773s into the fleet right now, so the "classic" days may be numbered.


