I've read anecdotal reports on various travel sites that Iranians are quite hospitable and friendly to visiting Americans. Though our governments may be at loggerheads, the people on the street are cool. I'd feel much safer traveling to Iran than Pakistan (one of our supposed Allies).

Sure but you may as well paint a US flag on that vest while you're at it. :D

Oops - I misread Kazakhstan as Afghanistan your first post. Big difference! I agree on Iran - I don't think I'd be too concerned there. An Iranian 707 on the other hand...

Can I still have the CO-branded Kevlar vest and helmet though? :D

A parachute might be more useful.

The A.nut thread mentions that the 707 has only been in service 50 years. That's a spring-chicken by NW standards. :D

I am down for going to Iran. Getting back into the states would be whole different story though. :p

"Sir, we noticed an Iranian visa in your passport, would you please step this way to Guantanamo"

I try and avoid the DC-9s as well. I wonder what color duct tape Saha Air prefers...

There shouldn't be any problem getting back. The U.S. does not restrict travel to Iran like it does to Cuba. The State Department's own website gives info on how U.S. Citizens can obtain Visas.

Duct Tape? The thread said they had been refreshed after a full D-Check. Those 707s are doubtless as spotless and spiffy as an SQ A380 :D

I'd be up for Iran, though I'd have to get a second passport if I get the Israel stamp that I'm 50/50 on this winter. I know my wife also has it high on her list, but she was thinking of giving it a couple more years to cool down. Of course, by then the 707s might be gone, making it a less worthwhile trip :p

I assum the Khazak segment is to get your luggage tags, right? I never did sign up for that...

EP-SHU was originally delivered in 1976 to the Imperial Iranian Air Force. About 10 years younger than NW's oldest DC-9.

Or think of it another way, it's less than 10 years older than CO's oldest 733. ;)

Hmm the interior isn't that bad looking either...

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Saha-...7-3J9C/0626748
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Saha-...7-3J9C/0594147

You were right ALCO, I don't see any duct tape. In fact, they might even have NW beat!

Just noticed that BD is also plying the LHR-ALA (Almaty, Kazakhstan) route. This trip has potential.

Step 1:
One-Way BD J Award IAH-ORD-MAN-LHR-ALA

Step 2:
One-Way Purchase Air Astana ALA-IST (56,636 Kazakhstan Tenge = $470 USD :D)

Step 3:
One-Way BD J Award on TK IST-THR

Step 4:
707 Flights on Saha Air within Iran :D

Step 5:
One-Way BD J/F Award on TK/LH THR-IST-FRA-IAH

Check out that seat pitch! Paging TWA Fan 1, have we found the airline for you :D

Haha! How did you ever guess that, my friend?

Yep I could be up for that. Of course, finding a good mistake fare that books into a premium class and yields a nice chunk of cheap EQMs for the long-haul intercontinental segments should be part of the deal...

I'm guessing there's no place to stash a standard carry-on sized bag on that plane.