What was the first airliner you flew in?
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From: Glasgow
Aboard a BEA DC-3 NHT-JER, in August 1953. My dad was F.O. and in his first flying job after being a wartime pilot in RAF Coastal Command Sunderlands, and then Beaufighters. I remember that first flight very well, a bright sunny day and clambering up the aisle to my window seat on the right-hand side. Loved every moment!
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From: London
According to my JJC book, a Trident 3 LHR-GLA in January 1983 (I was about 6 months old at the time). In terms of what we might now call "classic" jets, happy to have also covered off 727, 737-200, 747-100/200, BAC 1-11, L-1011, A300B and of course, Concorde....some even with multiple operators!
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From: UK and Italy
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From: se england
Talking about Uganda >. I went to Seychelles in early 1973 courtesy of BA Staff travel outbound via Nairobi , return via Entebbe. Arrive in middle of night no one gets off , squad of Idi Amin thugs gets on wandering up and down isle looking in overheads sub machine guns-looked like Stens dangling from hands. No one says a word .One old chap gets on doors close and we are off with Captain (who had warned us a hahead of landing just to sit still and look at seat back while on ground) says he is pretty sure we are BAs last flight to Entebbe so he said goodbye in an appropriate manner by leavin the SVC10 engines at full take off power as we departed until well into the climb. They were very scary looking guys some sort of auxiliaries loyal to him and everyone was well pleased to leave. When i say everyone there were about 40 of us so it likely was the last trip esp with just one joining pax
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From: UK and Italy
Even departing lower altitude aeroports, my impression of the VC10 was that it didn't so much take off as launch, like a rocket. Being designed for hot and high Empire (well, mostly Commonwealth by then) routes, it was ridiculously overpowered. Great fun if you were a kid in the back - all the duty-free bottles rolling back from First Class if they'd been stored under the seats, to end up in a booze-scented crash at the back row - but maybe not the most fuel-efficient jet airliner.
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From: se england
Well the VC10 had exceptional field performance compared to 707s and its British cousin the Trident . As you say this came with the downside of fuel consumption and weight.
It certainly got off the ground smartly with an huge amount of noise but for real rocket ship take offs the 757 and MD80s seemed to me both inside and outside had the steepest deck angle
It certainly got off the ground smartly with an huge amount of noise but for real rocket ship take offs the 757 and MD80s seemed to me both inside and outside had the steepest deck angle
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From: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
First flight was a pleasure flight at R.A.F. Halton. First proper airliner was a Trident Two on an Ian Allen Air Cruise from Heathrow to Devon and back. Cost £6.00. On the flight deck for the landing 'cos I was cheeky enough to ask!!. Loads more after that including Concorde. Great times!.
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From: London UK
Vickers Viscount 700 G-AMOO, Cambrian Airways, Liverpool to Isle of Man, 1966. 4 engines for 25 minute flight.
Surprising hardly any widebodies, or indeed types still in service, covered above. We're a decrepit lot here !
Surprising hardly any widebodies, or indeed types still in service, covered above. We're a decrepit lot here !
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From: Tapping the Decca, wondering why it's not working.
1969 or 1970, Vickers Viscount Wick-Inverness-Glasgow followed that evening by BAC 1-11 Glasgow to Birmingham. Then two long days to drive a new Land-Rover from Birmingham back to the north coast of Scotland carrying 1 tonne of very exotic welding-rods.
First international flight was Douglas DC-8 Heathrow to Montreal in 1974.
'a
First international flight was Douglas DC-8 Heathrow to Montreal in 1974.
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From: UK and Italy
Not only not many widebodies, not even that many jets. While piston-engined aircraft have made a good showing, it does seem that most of us are from the turbo-prop airliner era.
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From: Bolton ENGLAND
Will be interested to see the results of your analysis of the responses you have received. I am guessing my Vickers Viking flight will place me in a small minority !!! 😉😉
Twin piston engines, non-pressurised, tail wheeler over a major trunk route : seems an age away which it is...!!
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From: Too close to Croydon for comfort
