Holiday jets again - this time, the Boeing 707 and 720
A great story of them here from Mike Zoeller - Aeropa
He recounts many other 707 operators mentioned here on his stories on the website see the drop down Menu for them.
From the early post -
Other Holiday airlines followed buying up or leasing older 707 or 720/720B -
Conair, TEA, Maersk, Air Commerz, Eagle Air, Montana, Luxair, Transavia, Paninternational, Phoenix, AeroAmerica, Air Berlin USA, which were all seen at Palma every weekend in the 1970's at some point.
A few others with 707/720 soon failed --- Air Viking, Calair, Trans Polar, Aeropa, Perfect Air Tours, and Delta AT.
short flights long nights
Thread Starter
LHR early 1960s I seem to remember seeing B720 operated by Montana ? I think they might have subbed for Ait Malta , red and white colours as I recall. The acquisition costs for 707s for charter work must have been pretty low as they must have been expensive on fuel compared to 727s for euro N-S carters
Not many DC8s in the charter world as far as UK concerned , World Airways and capitol form the US . I suppose by the time the early 70s were going to the charter airlines the DC8s were taking up their second career as the tramp steamer of the airfreight world.
For some reason-structure/floor strength ?? the mighty 8s were seen as a better airframe than the 707 for freight work, or maybe they were just cheaper. Again lots of 727s and 737s did the sun run trips but never saw many DC9s doing that yet many soldiered on for years on main line routes .
Not many DC8s in the charter world as far as UK concerned , World Airways and capitol form the US . I suppose by the time the early 70s were going to the charter airlines the DC8s were taking up their second career as the tramp steamer of the airfreight world.
For some reason-structure/floor strength ?? the mighty 8s were seen as a better airframe than the 707 for freight work, or maybe they were just cheaper. Again lots of 727s and 737s did the sun run trips but never saw many DC9s doing that yet many soldiered on for years on main line routes .
On board flight OM4326, Monarch Boeing 720, G-AZFE, 25th January 1980, routing Luton - Milan Linate, with a hundred or so excited school children from Bishops Stortford schools off on their annual ski-ing holiday adventure (yes I'm taking the picture, naturally with a period Brownie)
Last edited by TCU; 3rd Jun 2021 at 19:39.
short flights long nights
short flights long nights
Yes MAOF went on to eventually operate both of the ex Invicta 720B's (BA and BB) that had come through the bargain basement from Monarch.
MAOF also flew one of the 3 ex TransAsian/Tigerair/Tempair/Templewood/Air Transcontinental B707-120B's, G-TJAA being one of the pair of 707-139's ordered by Cubana in 1959 NTU due to the embargo, but were bought by Western, then sold to Pan Am.
AB / AC were the other 2, ex AA -123B's going to Monarch as G-BHOX and BHOY.
MAOF went on in 1984 to obtain from British Airtours 707-336B G-AXXY
The last Holiday 707's in UK -
Along with G-AXXY British Airtours also flew 707-336C G-AVPB -
both were used on the 1982 series of ABC Charters LGW to EWR, TPA YYZ and LAX plus IT's to the Med replacing the older RR 707-420's.
BEA Airtours had also, along with DA, BD, CA, GK, BY, Lloyd and Donaldson flown their 707's on the first Affinity Group and ABC Transatlantic Charters in the early years.
Laker had replaced in 1978 their 2 707-138B's with 2 old 707-351B (SCD) models bought from Cathay Pacific - again using one of these 707's on the dedicated ICA Barbados route.
Laker went under in Feb 1982 and the unique -351B's never got sold on.
In 1982 BMA British Midland refurbished their 2 707-338C's G-BFLD and LE with a new wide-look cabin, fitted out with 212 new seats and Galleys.
A larger 757 Type 1 Door & Slide Exit aft of the wing was fitted to replace the previous hat rack hatch door.
Soon after BMA's all-Cargo 707-321C G-BMAZ (Ex N448M) also received the same treatment, and joined the other two flying on IT charters from MAN, BHX and EMA to the Med, plus long haul Charters to LAX JFK YVR and YYZ, mainly from LGW and MAN. They flew SKI flights in the winter too.
BMA never got the USA scheduled licences they had sought to fly those from LHR, so the 707's were sold in 1985.
Monarch had finally retired all of their 720B/707 fleet as their new 757's arrived by 1983.
The 707 continued to be seen at various UK airports in to the early 1990's operated by some weird, and some maybe dodgy outfits flying or slogging them on AOG or ACMI Sub-Charters for the likes of Air Europe, Paramount, Britannia etc.
European 707 and 720 charter operators like Conair, Condor, TEA, Maersk, Transavia, Sobelair, Eagle Air, Air Berlin USA, had all began to obtain newer jets like the A300, 727-200 and 737-200's.
MAOF also flew one of the 3 ex TransAsian/Tigerair/Tempair/Templewood/Air Transcontinental B707-120B's, G-TJAA being one of the pair of 707-139's ordered by Cubana in 1959 NTU due to the embargo, but were bought by Western, then sold to Pan Am.
AB / AC were the other 2, ex AA -123B's going to Monarch as G-BHOX and BHOY.
MAOF went on in 1984 to obtain from British Airtours 707-336B G-AXXY
The last Holiday 707's in UK -
Along with G-AXXY British Airtours also flew 707-336C G-AVPB -
both were used on the 1982 series of ABC Charters LGW to EWR, TPA YYZ and LAX plus IT's to the Med replacing the older RR 707-420's.
BEA Airtours had also, along with DA, BD, CA, GK, BY, Lloyd and Donaldson flown their 707's on the first Affinity Group and ABC Transatlantic Charters in the early years.
Laker had replaced in 1978 their 2 707-138B's with 2 old 707-351B (SCD) models bought from Cathay Pacific - again using one of these 707's on the dedicated ICA Barbados route.
Laker went under in Feb 1982 and the unique -351B's never got sold on.
In 1982 BMA British Midland refurbished their 2 707-338C's G-BFLD and LE with a new wide-look cabin, fitted out with 212 new seats and Galleys.
A larger 757 Type 1 Door & Slide Exit aft of the wing was fitted to replace the previous hat rack hatch door.
Soon after BMA's all-Cargo 707-321C G-BMAZ (Ex N448M) also received the same treatment, and joined the other two flying on IT charters from MAN, BHX and EMA to the Med, plus long haul Charters to LAX JFK YVR and YYZ, mainly from LGW and MAN. They flew SKI flights in the winter too.
BMA never got the USA scheduled licences they had sought to fly those from LHR, so the 707's were sold in 1985.
Monarch had finally retired all of their 720B/707 fleet as their new 757's arrived by 1983.
The 707 continued to be seen at various UK airports in to the early 1990's operated by some weird, and some maybe dodgy outfits flying or slogging them on AOG or ACMI Sub-Charters for the likes of Air Europe, Paramount, Britannia etc.
European 707 and 720 charter operators like Conair, Condor, TEA, Maersk, Transavia, Sobelair, Eagle Air, Air Berlin USA, had all began to obtain newer jets like the A300, 727-200 and 737-200's.
Transavia used 6 707's over some years from late 60's until the late 70's, mostly leased 707C's (1 from Airlift and 1 from Exec Jet) and 1 707-123B from AA.
They also leased Luxair's old 707-344A for a summer period in 1977.
Mentioned DC-8's earlier - The Med saw plenty from the 1960's -
KLM, Martinair, Sudflug, Pomair, Atlantis, Finnair, Spearair, Karair, Air Spain, Balair and Scanair (SAS) all were using DC-8's on IT's to the Med, and Canaries.
followed a bit later by SATA, Aviaco Spantax, and TAE.
And at LGW STN MAN PIK etc,
we saw the Transatlantic charter DC-8's of CP Air, Capitol, TIA, AFA, Saturn, ONA, World AW, Universal, Airlift, Nordair, Loftleidir, and Air Bahama,
plus APSA, and Saber Air.
Inex Adria had a sole DC-8, then we saw Sudflug, Atlantis, Pomair, Air Spain, Spantax, and Aviaco as LGW regulars.
Scanair, Finnair and Karair into LTN and STN.
Balair, Internord, and Modern Air (from TXL) in the 1960's had all been using the CV990 on Med IT's,
as was Spantax who were then starting to acquire the type.
Nordair CV990 also seen at Gatwick from Canada.
They also leased Luxair's old 707-344A for a summer period in 1977.
Mentioned DC-8's earlier - The Med saw plenty from the 1960's -
KLM, Martinair, Sudflug, Pomair, Atlantis, Finnair, Spearair, Karair, Air Spain, Balair and Scanair (SAS) all were using DC-8's on IT's to the Med, and Canaries.
followed a bit later by SATA, Aviaco Spantax, and TAE.
And at LGW STN MAN PIK etc,
we saw the Transatlantic charter DC-8's of CP Air, Capitol, TIA, AFA, Saturn, ONA, World AW, Universal, Airlift, Nordair, Loftleidir, and Air Bahama,
plus APSA, and Saber Air.
Inex Adria had a sole DC-8, then we saw Sudflug, Atlantis, Pomair, Air Spain, Spantax, and Aviaco as LGW regulars.
Scanair, Finnair and Karair into LTN and STN.
Balair, Internord, and Modern Air (from TXL) in the 1960's had all been using the CV990 on Med IT's,
as was Spantax who were then starting to acquire the type.
Nordair CV990 also seen at Gatwick from Canada.
Last edited by rog747; 2nd Jun 2021 at 14:52.
Cathay Pacific had 12 707's, 8 were ex NW 707C's,
and 4 of the unique early 707-320B built with a SCD...
Boeing built only 5 for NW in 1963, with no other Mods for carrying cargo like a -320C could.
Laker ended up with 2 of those...
and 4 of the unique early 707-320B built with a SCD...
Boeing built only 5 for NW in 1963, with no other Mods for carrying cargo like a -320C could.
Laker ended up with 2 of those...
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Although not an airline as such Templewood Aviation (Tempair) was one of the first ACMI companies operating B720s and Boeing 707s for several UK airlines including Invicta, Monarch and Dan-Air as well as several overseas airlines during the mid-1970s.Middle East Airlines operated a B720 out of Luton for one season in the late 1970s flying mainly to Italian destinations.
I cannot recall Club Air operating B707 just two B727s including the infamous 'Jesus Christ' known after Virgin's Mr B is reportedly said after seeing it for the first time at Luton. There is a word missing between Jesus and Christ, I will let you guess what it is!
I cannot recall Club Air operating B707 just two B727s including the infamous 'Jesus Christ' known after Virgin's Mr B is reportedly said after seeing it for the first time at Luton. There is a word missing between Jesus and Christ, I will let you guess what it is!
Spearair
Spearair was mentioned and although they had two DC-8-32's hence not actually considered in this thread, the story is quite something. Spearair was founded in 1972 to act as charter company for a travel company Keihäsmatkat, founded by Kalevi Keihänen. The name Spearair was lead from the founders name Keihänen, which freely translated stands for Spear. The DC-8's were acquired from National Airlines.
Mr. Keihänen was a rather colourful entrepreneur, constantly seen in local media at the time. His favorite dress speaks quite a bit of the man himself: swimming trousers with a wolf fur coat and a matching hat, no matter whether summer or winter, Finland or Spain. One of his ideas in luring people onboard was offering moonshine with the effect of some travellers having null to zero memories of their first ever holiday in the mediterranean. He also established a bunny farm and served home grown "sexbunny stake" on board. Those journeys weren't exactly family friendly vacations.
Heres a picture of the business master mind with both 8's in the background.
The end of Spearair is a story itself. The last flight was to Istanbul on 3rd May 1974, but as the locals already knew that the company was going under and there were unpaid bills already, the plane OH-SOA was left in a holding pattern without landing clearance until they were running on fumes and had to land.
Once landed the airport refused to provide airstairs until the landing fees were paid. Solution: crew threw sufficient amount of cash in a suitcase out of the door.
So the pax got on their holiday, but Spearair was out of business. Eventually the Finnish goverment sent out Finnair DC-8-62 to collect the stranded travellers but once the flight landed on 9th May the plane was surrounded by armed guards and the plane held as a guarantee for Spearair's debts. It apparently took several hours and a very high level discussions to convince the locals that Finnair had nothing to do with Spearair and was not responsible for the debts and the plane was released.
The DC8's were never paid for so they went back to National airlines.
Mr. Keihänen was a rather colourful entrepreneur, constantly seen in local media at the time. His favorite dress speaks quite a bit of the man himself: swimming trousers with a wolf fur coat and a matching hat, no matter whether summer or winter, Finland or Spain. One of his ideas in luring people onboard was offering moonshine with the effect of some travellers having null to zero memories of their first ever holiday in the mediterranean. He also established a bunny farm and served home grown "sexbunny stake" on board. Those journeys weren't exactly family friendly vacations.
Heres a picture of the business master mind with both 8's in the background.
The end of Spearair is a story itself. The last flight was to Istanbul on 3rd May 1974, but as the locals already knew that the company was going under and there were unpaid bills already, the plane OH-SOA was left in a holding pattern without landing clearance until they were running on fumes and had to land.
Once landed the airport refused to provide airstairs until the landing fees were paid. Solution: crew threw sufficient amount of cash in a suitcase out of the door.
So the pax got on their holiday, but Spearair was out of business. Eventually the Finnish goverment sent out Finnair DC-8-62 to collect the stranded travellers but once the flight landed on 9th May the plane was surrounded by armed guards and the plane held as a guarantee for Spearair's debts. It apparently took several hours and a very high level discussions to convince the locals that Finnair had nothing to do with Spearair and was not responsible for the debts and the plane was released.
The DC8's were never paid for so they went back to National airlines.
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Apologies for quality of photos but hopefully it gives a taste of late 70's
Montana B707-138B murky weather Gatwick
Montana at Gatwick same aircraft different tail livery
A regular B707 scene at Gatwick late 70's
I believe BCAL only operated this aircraft for a couple of months in 1979
Air Mauritius G-APFD leased from British Airtours
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The 707 was a very good-looking aeroplane. Sleek, sharp, pointy. Everything the 787 isn't looks-wise! One of those aeroplanes that looked good in pretty much any livery. I'd like to see one in Jet2 red and mica but it ain't going to happen.
Israel. Didn't Arkia and Sun D'Or fly 707s on charters ? I certainly remember seeing the EL AL aircraft at Manchester and at least once at Leeds Bradford (diversion) but I think they were schedules rather than holiday flights.
Israel. Didn't Arkia and Sun D'Or fly 707s on charters ? I certainly remember seeing the EL AL aircraft at Manchester and at least once at Leeds Bradford (diversion) but I think they were schedules rather than holiday flights.
Last edited by Mooncrest; 2nd Jun 2021 at 18:57.
I seem to recall that a quite well-known aviator in UK circles was one of the senior pilots at Montana Austria on the 707 charter operations back in the day. He may well still be instructing on the 787 at Boeing Gatwick - an absolute gentleman, even when I never could get the letters in his surname in the correct order.
