Old Timer's Airline Quiz and Discussion.
Jan 28, 2014, 9:05 am
#4171
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Well, my first thought here was race driver Niki Lauda's airline, Lauda Air. I believe Lauda Air leased several stretched BAC One-Eleven series 500 from Tarom back in the mid 80's.
But then, I thought, can Lauda Air really be thought of as a "major" European air carrier even though it operated Boeing 777 equipment at one point? And, BTW, Mr. Lauda actually flew as the pilot in command of the triple 7 on occasion on scheduled flights for Lauda Air....
The answer is most likely, no: Lauda Air was not a major European airline.
However, Ryanair certainly is these days and back when they were just getting started, I believe they operated BAC One-Eleven series 500 aircraft leased from Tarom.
But then, I thought, can Lauda Air really be thought of as a "major" European air carrier even though it operated Boeing 777 equipment at one point? And, BTW, Mr. Lauda actually flew as the pilot in command of the triple 7 on occasion on scheduled flights for Lauda Air....
The answer is most likely, no: Lauda Air was not a major European airline.
However, Ryanair certainly is these days and back when they were just getting started, I believe they operated BAC One-Eleven series 500 aircraft leased from Tarom.
Jan 28, 2014, 9:32 am
#4172
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Ah yes, I remember flying from Chicago to Montreal on board an American Airlines Boeing 707 back in the late 70's.....and welcome JoeDTW to the OTA&AQ!
Jan 28, 2014, 10:12 am
#4173
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it appears that neither our regulars nor our new contributors have yet taken a stab at this
I was able to think of three -- Midwest Express, MGM Grand Air, and Regent Air -- fairly quickly, but held off posting since I have lately been chastised for Failing to Conform to the Quiz Rules
so herewith my other guesses
Air One
McClain Air
Legend Air
I was able to think of three -- Midwest Express, MGM Grand Air, and Regent Air -- fairly quickly, but held off posting since I have lately been chastised for Failing to Conform to the Quiz Rules
Air One
McClain Air
Legend Air
Jan 28, 2014, 1:03 pm
#4174
Join Date: Jul 2001
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3. What was the first Asian Airline to operate a jet aircraft? What kind of aircraft was it?
However, Pakistan International just a couple of weeks later got one of the Pan Am 707-321s on lease, and this would have come with established ready-to-fly Pan Am crews as it stayed on the US register and would require FAA-licensed crews. It started Karachi to London flights in competition. So who went first to start scheduled service ? Both carriers separately claim it. However, to be literal, the Operator of the PIA aircraft was actually Pan Am, so I'll go for Air India.
The two contenders :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23032926@N05/11251151645/
http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1037664/
13. What was the first international airline and aircraft to land at the newly inaugurated London Heathrow airport?
17. In October 1953, this airline became the first airline outside the UK to fly the Comet. Name the airline and the route flown
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_...e_de_Transport
Last edited by WHBM; Jan 28, 2014 at 2:22 pm Reason: Put the pictures in
Jan 28, 2014, 3:46 pm
#4175
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Bonus: I'll guess the intrepid Seat 2A!
Jan 28, 2014, 7:49 pm
#4176
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Two other European airlines whose names end in "A" come to mind: IberiA and AlitaliA. I don't think IB served Chicago until the 1980s, so I will go with AlitaliA.
It's interesting that for many years, Chicago-Montreal was one of the few routes from the US where you could choose a Canadian airline (AC), multiple fifth freedom airlines, but no US carrier. Not until 1977 was a US carrier (AA) given rights for ORD-YUL.
Well done, Joe. Alitalia it was, with a 747. Alas, with the advent of long distance and/or smaller long distance aircraft, the days of fifth freedom routings seem to be gone. Can anybody think of even one these days between Canada and the U.S.?
BTW, I flew upon my first 787 today, First Class DEN-IAH. Very nice seat and I really liked the DC-10 sized windows. Alas, my onward destination of Nashville is closed, apparently all day tomorrow as well. Looks like I'm going back to Seattle. Tonight. Then it's back to Alaska tomorrow, do laundry and continue on to Buenos Aires! Happy contrails!
It's interesting that for many years, Chicago-Montreal was one of the few routes from the US where you could choose a Canadian airline (AC), multiple fifth freedom airlines, but no US carrier. Not until 1977 was a US carrier (AA) given rights for ORD-YUL.
Well done, Joe. Alitalia it was, with a 747. Alas, with the advent of long distance and/or smaller long distance aircraft, the days of fifth freedom routings seem to be gone. Can anybody think of even one these days between Canada and the U.S.?
BTW, I flew upon my first 787 today, First Class DEN-IAH. Very nice seat and I really liked the DC-10 sized windows. Alas, my onward destination of Nashville is closed, apparently all day tomorrow as well. Looks like I'm going back to Seattle. Tonight. Then it's back to Alaska tomorrow, do laundry and continue on to Buenos Aires! Happy contrails!
Last edited by Seat 2A; Jan 29, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Jan 28, 2014, 7:57 pm
#4177
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19. Name six U.S. airlines that operated their fleets in an all premium class configuration
It appears that neither our regulars nor our new contributors have yet taken a stab at this. I was able to think of three -- Midwest Express, MGM Grand Air, and Regent Air -- fairly quickly, but held off posting since I have lately been chastised for Failing to Conform to the Quiz Rules, so herewith my other guesses
Air One
McClain Air
Legend Air
Good on ya, jrl22! See what a little chastisement will do?
Last edited by Seat 2A; Feb 2, 2014 at 1:39 am
Jan 29, 2014, 5:59 am
#4178
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,476
BTW, I flew upon my first 787 today, First Class DEN-IAH. Very nice seat and I really liked the DC-10 sized windows. Alas, my onward destination of Nashville is closed, apparently all day tomorrow as well. Looks like I'm going back to Seattle. Tonight. Then it's back to Alaska tomorrow, do laundry and continue on to Buenos Aires! Happy contrails!
Jan 29, 2014, 12:58 pm
#4179
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Good morning from Seattle. I apologize for my delay in responding to your responses but it has been a busy 24 hours. With the two 738s that flew me IAH-DEN-SEA, I am now a little less than 9000 miles from logging my 500,000th mile aboard the 737-800. My first 738 flight came back in December of 2001, so that averages about 40000 miles flown per year just on that aircraft type since 2001. That plane is downright ubiquitous!
3. What was the first Asian Airline to operate a jet aircraft? What kind of aircraft was it?
I reckon the first delivery was Air India with their first Boeing 707 at the start of 1960, which was initially used on Bombay/Delhi to London via various points.
The two contenders :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23032926@N05/11251151645/
http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1037664/
However, Pakistan International just a couple of weeks later got one of the Pan Am 707-321s on lease, and this would have come with established ready-to-fly Pan Am crews as it stayed on the US register and would require FAA-licensed crews. It started Karachi to London flights in competition. So who went first to start scheduled service ? Both carriers separately claim it. However, to be literal, the Operator of the PIA aircraft was actually Pan Am, so I'll go for Air India.
Fair enough (and well presented, thanks). I was going to go with PIA based upon information contained on its website which claims a start in March 1960. Given the relations between these two countries, it's hardly surprising that they should be at odds on the first jet flight as well.
13. What was the first international airline and aircraft to land at the newly inaugurated London Heathrow airport?
I presume by "international" we mean non-British here, in which case it would be a Panair Brasil Lockheed L-049 Constellation from Rio de Janeiro. Quite a contrast to the British South American Airways Avro Lancastrian which was the competition from the British end, a non-pressurised (and apparently not well-heated or sound-insulated either) converted WW2 bomber, which had actually been the first commercial flight ever out of Heathrow.
I remember the Lancastrian well from the early days of Heathrow video you supplied a month or so ago. Panair do Brasil it was. I can't help but wonder how long it was before British South American Airways countered with something more comfortable?
17. In October 1953, this airline became the first airline outside the UK to fly the Comet. Name the airline and the route flown
I believe it was earlier, in February 1953, being UAT from France, and the first route was Paris Le Bourget-Casablanca-Dakar. Now having rudely contradicted here (sorry) I have to look for some evidence on the web, best I can find is here which says 19 Feb 1953 but doesn't specifically mention the points. UAT quite quickly moved on to Abidjan and a separate route through Tripoli to Brazzaville as well.
No rudeness taken here, WHBM ~ The error is on me. It was UAT of course but Mr. Dyslexic here had typed in the wrong month. Thanks for the correction! ^^
19. Name six U.S. airlines that operated their fleets in an all premium class configuration
Air Atlanta, Air One, McClain Airlines, MGM Grand Air, Regent Air and UltrAir. And in every case these premium air carriers (as opposed to all business class airlines such as Legend Airlines and Midwest Express, both of which operated McDonnell Douglas equipment) flew Boeing 727 aircraft. The exception was MGM Grand Air which added a DC-8 to its small fleet in addition to its B727 equipment.
Good call on Ultrair! I forgot all about that one. I'll have to disagree with you on Air Atlanta though. They operated a 2-3 configured Economy Class cabin when I flew them in 1986. First Class was 2-2. They even offered a flight pass with a choice of First Class or Economy Class. I think their advertisements used to say everybody received First Class treatment.
Bonus: I'll guess the intrepid Seat 2A!
Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!
Originally Posted by WHBM
3. What was the first Asian Airline to operate a jet aircraft? What kind of aircraft was it?
I reckon the first delivery was Air India with their first Boeing 707 at the start of 1960, which was initially used on Bombay/Delhi to London via various points.
The two contenders :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23032926@N05/11251151645/
http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1037664/
However, Pakistan International just a couple of weeks later got one of the Pan Am 707-321s on lease, and this would have come with established ready-to-fly Pan Am crews as it stayed on the US register and would require FAA-licensed crews. It started Karachi to London flights in competition. So who went first to start scheduled service ? Both carriers separately claim it. However, to be literal, the Operator of the PIA aircraft was actually Pan Am, so I'll go for Air India.
Fair enough (and well presented, thanks). I was going to go with PIA based upon information contained on its website which claims a start in March 1960. Given the relations between these two countries, it's hardly surprising that they should be at odds on the first jet flight as well.
13. What was the first international airline and aircraft to land at the newly inaugurated London Heathrow airport?
I presume by "international" we mean non-British here, in which case it would be a Panair Brasil Lockheed L-049 Constellation from Rio de Janeiro. Quite a contrast to the British South American Airways Avro Lancastrian which was the competition from the British end, a non-pressurised (and apparently not well-heated or sound-insulated either) converted WW2 bomber, which had actually been the first commercial flight ever out of Heathrow.
I remember the Lancastrian well from the early days of Heathrow video you supplied a month or so ago. Panair do Brasil it was. I can't help but wonder how long it was before British South American Airways countered with something more comfortable?
17. In October 1953, this airline became the first airline outside the UK to fly the Comet. Name the airline and the route flown
I believe it was earlier, in February 1953, being UAT from France, and the first route was Paris Le Bourget-Casablanca-Dakar. Now having rudely contradicted here (sorry) I have to look for some evidence on the web, best I can find is here which says 19 Feb 1953 but doesn't specifically mention the points. UAT quite quickly moved on to Abidjan and a separate route through Tripoli to Brazzaville as well.
No rudeness taken here, WHBM ~ The error is on me. It was UAT of course but Mr. Dyslexic here had typed in the wrong month. Thanks for the correction! ^^
19. Name six U.S. airlines that operated their fleets in an all premium class configuration
Air Atlanta, Air One, McClain Airlines, MGM Grand Air, Regent Air and UltrAir. And in every case these premium air carriers (as opposed to all business class airlines such as Legend Airlines and Midwest Express, both of which operated McDonnell Douglas equipment) flew Boeing 727 aircraft. The exception was MGM Grand Air which added a DC-8 to its small fleet in addition to its B727 equipment.
Good call on Ultrair! I forgot all about that one. I'll have to disagree with you on Air Atlanta though. They operated a 2-3 configured Economy Class cabin when I flew them in 1986. First Class was 2-2. They even offered a flight pass with a choice of First Class or Economy Class. I think their advertisements used to say everybody received First Class treatment.
Bonus: I'll guess the intrepid Seat 2A!
Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!
Last edited by Seat 2A; Jan 29, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Jan 29, 2014, 1:52 pm
#4180
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
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Posts: 8,476
I remember the Lancastrian well from the early days of Heathrow video you supplied a month or so ago. Panair do Brasil it was. I can't help but wonder how long it was before British South American Airways countered with something more comfortable?
Jan 29, 2014, 2:02 pm
#4181
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@Seat2A -- you are living dangerously today, given your stated location and your new two-tone tag line
Jan 29, 2014, 9:32 pm
#4182
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Truth be known, J, if I weren't originally from Colorado and thusly a Bronco fan, I'd be rooting for our old AFC West compatriots the Seahawks. I look forward to a great game and hopefully my Broncos will prevail. Good luck to the 'Hawks on Sunday and amongst those of you who care to watch, I hope you all have a great time. Go Broncos! Omaha! Hurry, Hurry!!
So - just three questions left...
5. Which airline referred to its 747s as “Navigator Jets”?
7. What was the first airline to serve alcohol aboard its flights within the U.S.?
23. Name three U.S. airlines in operation before 1990 that operated an all coach fleet and later added a true First Class service on some of their flights.
So - just three questions left...
5. Which airline referred to its 747s as “Navigator Jets”?
7. What was the first airline to serve alcohol aboard its flights within the U.S.?
23. Name three U.S. airlines in operation before 1990 that operated an all coach fleet and later added a true First Class service on some of their flights.
Jan 30, 2014, 7:15 am
#4183
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 782
Truth be known, J, if I weren't originally from Colorado and thusly a Bronco fan, I'd be rooting for our old AFC West compatriots the Seahawks. I look forward to a great game and hopefully my Broncos will prevail. Good luck to the 'Hawks on Sunday and amongst those of you who care to watch, I hope you all have a great time. Go Broncos! Omaha! Hurry, Hurry!!
So - just three questions left...
5. Which airline referred to its 747s as “Navigator Jets”?
7. What was the first airline to serve alcohol aboard its flights within the U.S.?
23. Name three U.S. airlines in operation before 1990 that operated an all coach fleet and later added a true First Class service on some of their flights.
So - just three questions left...
5. Which airline referred to its 747s as “Navigator Jets”?
7. What was the first airline to serve alcohol aboard its flights within the U.S.?
23. Name three U.S. airlines in operation before 1990 that operated an all coach fleet and later added a true First Class service on some of their flights.
7. Another random guess: Northwest Orient
Jan 30, 2014, 10:39 am
#4184
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5. Which airline referred to its 747s as “Navigator Jets”?
Random guess: TAP Air Portugal - in the late 1960s and early 1970s, they advertised Portugal's nautical / exploration heritage.
You got it! Some great explorers came out of Portugal and though the Lisbon to New York route had been thoroughly explored by the time the 747 arrived, perhaps TAP was referring to the jet's passengers...
7. What was the first airline to serve alcohol aboard its flights within the U.S.?
7. Another random guess: Northwest Orient
That's right! In 1949. Although this wasn't my only source, it was perhaps the most entertaining. You can read it HERE.
Last edited by Seat 2A; Feb 2, 2014 at 1:41 am
Feb 2, 2014, 1:35 am
#4185
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Congratulations to jrl22 and all the other Seahawk fans out there. The 'Hawks played a great game and are indeed worthy champions. The Broncos and their fans look forward to having another go at them next season - hopefully in the Super Bowl again. Until then, the Seahawks rock!
It's Monday morning and there's just one last question. The hot water for my shower is heating on the stove and I've got some last minute chores to run around town before heading out to the airport for yet another fun excursion around the planet. jlemon is waiting in the wings with a new collection of questions and there you have it. Life is good.
23. Name three U.S. airlines in operation before 1990 that operated an all coach fleet and later added a true First Class service on some (though not necessarily all) of their flights. BTW, there may have been more than three...
And the answers are:
Piedmont
People Express
America West
World
It's Monday morning and there's just one last question. The hot water for my shower is heating on the stove and I've got some last minute chores to run around town before heading out to the airport for yet another fun excursion around the planet. jlemon is waiting in the wings with a new collection of questions and there you have it. Life is good.
23. Name three U.S. airlines in operation before 1990 that operated an all coach fleet and later added a true First Class service on some (though not necessarily all) of their flights. BTW, there may have been more than three...
And the answers are:
Piedmont
People Express
America West
World
Last edited by Seat 2A; Feb 3, 2014 at 11:58 am