LUTON History and Nostalgia
 

This thread has been started as the Luton 7 thread in Airlines, Airports and routes was shut down by the Mod as there were complaints about Luton's history being posted there. Posts here will sometimes be linked to hot topics in Luton 8 over on the Airlines, Airport and Routes forum.

Luton check-in over the years.

1950's

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psd87275ba.jpg

1960's
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psoccsfzre.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7805/2fbu.jpg

1980's

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psb39ab628.jpg

Late 1990's

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/7943/6em4.jpg

LTNman -

Your first photo must have been taken in the early 1960s. However, the second must also be a 1960s shot, as Autair re-branded to Court Line in early 1970 and the Autair desks are clear in the background.

More pics please!

The 80s picture looks like check-in for one of the MoD charters. Even casually dressed these chaps clearly aren't off to Benidorm! I can just about read 'Hanover' on the check-in display.

I think you are right about the MOD flights. I seem to remember there were 2 or 3 a day to West Germany.

The service people had to queue twice. Here is a photo of the JSATO??? desks.

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/8468/veph.jpg

In the late 1980s and early 90s the MoD had a check in desk next to one of entrances to the terminal with the title of SMITH AIR. It stood out like a proverbial sore thumb with rather clean shaven and short hair style gents lining up. It also had an outside wall on to the concourse - not a very good idea in those days regarding the Irish problem!

Also remember in the late 1960s the Open University using the airport to film exterior scenes for a programme - I think resembling a French airport. Remember the sliding doors at arrivals!

Did many a Double Trooper from Luton to Gutersloh,Wildenrath,Gatow, Hanover etc 30 minute turnrounds in B737-200. Always had time to get cheap beer from the NAAFI.

Then a quick drink in Freds:{

Before I got my command did several with Derek Davison ( Chief Pilot ) who would turn up just a few minutes before chock time!

LTN-GCI
 

Would anyone be able to tell me which airline operated LTN-GCI and at what stage? I can only find records from the CAA in 1989 (1633 pax), 1990 (2488 pax) and 1991 (2429 pax). It would seem from this that it was a seasonal operation but I can find no details. If anyone could give me the low-down on the route's history I would be very interested.

luton airport clips 1974
 

Hi al,l its been put on before but some may not of seen it. Luton airport in 1974. Richard LUTON AIRPORT - British Pathé

some more old luton airport clips
 

One more. Some the same some new shots. Sorry no sound on this one. Richard LUTON AIRPORT - British Pathé

More pics please! The first picture looks like customs rather than check-in - note the chemist's scales in the background.

LTN-GCI
 

Pretty sure it would've been British Midland at that stage. They operated seasonal services from Luton both to GCI & JER for many years with a mix of DC9/737/Viscount as I recall. Would imagine the latter was used for most if not all the GCI rotations

I'm sure the Guernsey flights in the eighties were BMA, probably Viscounts, and were seasonal - mostly weekends, along with Jersey.

British Midland definitely operated weekend only seasonal flights to the Channel Islands. Think GCI was probably once on each of Sat & Sun. I do remember in peak summer, JER was several times on both Sat & Sun

BMA diesel nines back and forth on summer Saturday's !
Possible that Guernsey may have been done with a Dash7 late on - or that may have been at EMA, left Luton in 1989 and memory failing

Actually yes, I do seem to remember a Dash 7 being used, perhaps an ATP at times too?

Going back to the 1960s and 70s British Midland used Argonauts on the Jersey and Dart Heralds and F27s on the Guernsey as well as to Jersey. I am sure someone can remember Derby Airways - the precursor of BM - operating Miles Marathons and DC-3s to Jersey but that was before my time.

Luton's old terminals over the years
 

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/1790/qo2v.jpg



Luton's wooden terminal gets some much needed expansion
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psc4025203.jpg

Luton gets a new terminal, photo taken 1969
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ps3d2bceec.jpg

Around 1984 the terminal got a new entrance with sliding doors! Now coaches can park under cover.

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/5950/hkhq.jpg

Only a few year later the arrivals meeters and greeters area needed to be expanded thus closing the bus lane.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8527/jlt9.jpg

LTN-GCI
 

1985 British Midland Flight number BD 1709 aircraft F27
1986 British Midland Flight numbers BD 1711/ BD 1709 aircraft F27
1987 British Midland Flight numbers BD 1733/ BD 1731 aircraft F27
1988 no information
1989 British Midland Flight numbers BD 1783/ BD 1789 aircraft ATP

One flight each Saturday and Sunday. In 1985 the same flight number was used for both days.

Great to see these old photos. My, how times have changed. I well remember the 'LIA' days when the terminal got its new entrance.

When I would regularly use the Britannia trooper to Gutersloh during the late 1980's, I seem to recall that the movers desk in the terminal was marked 'Sunshine Tours' or similar. I think it was a vain attempt to fool the IRA and the soviet bloc, that the kitbag carrying passengers were holiday makers?