West Indies Airways & the L1011 TriStar

[MorningGlory]

As a Commercially licensed pilot who will soon be gracing FL360 with my presence, I was wondering if any of you chaps have come across the said company in your travels?

I'm off on my well deserved hols soon to the Carribean and got a cracking deal, but it means I have to fly on a classic L1011!! Worried!!

Even more worried now thinking about the crew!!

Any comforting words out there?

[Landing_24R]

Morning Glory,

Is it BWIA? They are serve one of the London airports and they recently started serving Manchester to the Port of Spain/Trinidad.

You can see a picture of one of their Tri-Star's here .
Colourful to say the least

Seriously though, I wouldn't worry about it.

Cheers
Landing_24R
(You never know, you might be on one of their shiny new A340's)

[GlueBall]

The best inflight coffee I ever had was on BeeWee. I heard that the last two operating L10-500s are being replaced with A340s soon. Nevertheless, I wouldn't be concerned about paxing on a TriStar, it's probably safer than being on some of those newer built birds with composite tails...,eh?

[fesmokie]

YOUR VERY LUCKY

I spent five years as a crew member on the L-1011 and I can assure you it will be a great ride. The best aircraft I have ever flown. Way beyond it's time!!!.....when everything working that is...

[Cathar]

I'm not aware of any safety concerns about BWIA. I am more than happy to fly with them. The service (in business class) is in my experience excellent. A return journey to Antigua last November were among the nicest flights I've taken.

[Wycombe]

....and the 340's aren't new (both ex Air Canada, I believe).

....also consider that there has never been an L1011 hull loss due to mechanical/structural/engine failure (pretty sure, but I stand to be corrected).

[MorningGlory]

Thanks Guys/Gals,

Feel a bit happier about it now, cheers! Looking forward to a bit of sunshine!!

[Dave T-S]

Golden rule no1 with an airplane - has it been flying for a long time? Yes? Well it's probably going to stay up for at least one more trip then

[CPilotUK]

Even more worried now thinking about the crew!!

What do you mean here MorningGlory?

[gofer]

L-1011

Great aircraft - gas guzzler - and the humidity from the air-con tended to dump as a quick rotational shower on Row 11B & C (& probably on the other side also) on take-off. At least that's the way it worked at CX.

[Captain Stable]

I've used BWIA (and the L1011) many times. Very comfortable aircraft, excellent service, very professional crew, very pleasant flights.

[Semaphore Sam]

A few L1011's are still flying; many more DC10's are still flying. The reason is economics; the L1011 was over-engineered for safety; the DC10, under-engineered (cargo door, weak floor, etc... A #2 engine failure would not have failed all hydraulic systems on a Tristar). This, and the famous Rolls engine bankruptcy, caused the L1011 line to close down early, while the inferior (safety-wise) DC10 line kept going.

Afraid of the L1011? Best damn commercial airplane (comfort & safety) I ever flew (as crew & pax). Up Lockheed!

[brit bus driver]

3500 hrs under my belt on her, and heading back after a brief sabbatical on some of that "modern technology"

Marvellous jet, IMHO.

[MorningGlory]

Wow, Sounds like the L1011 really was and still is a very well engineered aircraft!!