Aussie_ From Australia, joined Dec 2000, 1765 posts, RR: 5 Posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 4592 times:
I was just wondering if there are any enthusiasts out there who have managed to get themselves on the inaugural flights for each airline of a new aircraft type? For example, has anyone been on the inaugural SQ, EK and QF A380 flights? Or the same for the 77W for example?
PanHAM From Germany, joined May 2005, 7771 posts, RR: 26 Reply 1, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 4545 times:
Happens sometimes by chance. I was once on a LH A300 flying FRA-LHR and the captain said that this was the first revenue flight of that aircraft.
"Inaugurals" can be invitations from airlines as well, to travel agents and freight forwarders to get acquainted with new aircraft or new routes. Most of the time that goes along with a program at the destination, sometimes it was the flight only.
Alphaomega From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 532 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 4522 times:
There is a picture of a guy out there who was on the first 747 flight operated by Pan Am and was then on the first flight of the A380 with Singapore - I'm sure someone on here knows what I'm talking about.
Vhqpa From Australia, joined Jul 2005, 1382 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 4485 times:
I flew on Qantaslink's first Dash 8 Q400 flight which coincidently was the first revenue flight of the Q400 in the southern hempishere. It was QF2352 BNE-ROK 26 FEB 2006. There were special uniforms and posters in the departure lounge we also had someone from Bombardier on our flight but apart from that the captain breifly mentioned it was the first Q400 flight for the airline but otherwise it was just an ordinary flight. There was another Q400 flight that left 40 mins later that got the fanfare even though It was really the second flight of the type
Vhq.
"There you go ladies and gentleman we're through Mach 1 the speed of sound no bumps no bangs... CONCORDE"
BA747 From Venezuela, joined Sep 2005, 104 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 4429 times:
Yes I have. I was on the brand new 747SP of Pan Am from MIA to CCS and with an upgrade to first. It was awsome. I don´t remember when exactly was that.
Gr8SlvrFlt From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 1583 posts, RR: 16 Reply 7, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 4410 times:
I was on the world's first scheduled 757 flight. New Year's Day, 1983. Atlanta to Tampa. Eastern Air Lines.
QatarA340 From Qatar, joined May 2006, 1602 posts, RR: 7 Reply 8, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 4355 times:
Quoting Aussie_ (Thread starter): I was just wondering if there are any enthusiasts out there who have managed to get themselves on the inaugural flights for each airline of a new aircraft type? For example, has anyone been on the inaugural SQ, EK and QF A380 flights? Or the same for the 77W for example?
Well, I've been on the very first 777 that QR owned from DOH-DXB, I think 2 of them where I've been in the very first flight.
And the 4th revenue flight DXB-LHR (A380), not the first, though, but still great!
Skymiler From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 469 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 4179 times:
Bunch of us A-netters were on the inaugural DL 77L flight ATL -> LAX last march ..
Planemannyc From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 989 posts, RR: 9 Reply 10, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 4109 times:
I was on jetBlue's first revenue E190 flight, BOS-JFK. There were a few balloons at the check-in at BOS, but most passengers were not even aware that this was the first revenue flight for the type (not just for B6). Most of the press was at JFK (2nd revenue flight, which took off for BOS slightly after the BOS-JFK flight).
M404 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 2214 posts, RR: 5 Reply 11, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 4031 times:
If being invited OB some High/Hot field tests of Eastern's first 757 (and possibly industries first)prior to delivery counts then I have. Most seats were missing and instead was Boeing testing units but that left us with pretty much run of the cabin. I've loved the 757 ever since.
Less sarcasm and more thought equal better understanding
Yodobashi From UK - Scotland, joined Sep 2007, 214 posts, RR: 4 Reply 12, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 3792 times:
It wasn't on the inaugural flight but I was lucky enough to take a 5.5 hour trip out over the Atlantic in the Prototype Nimrod - XV148. It was the second one of two to be built but it was the first one ever to fly, converted from a leftover Comet 4C airframe if I'm not mistaken.
Skimming over the Atlantic at an altitude of 500ft (A05) was something I will never forget!
"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page"
Dazed767 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 5447 posts, RR: 53 Reply 13, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 3697 times:
FLY2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 14, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 3662 times:
I got really lucky once and got to fly non-rev on the first revenue flight in one of CO's 739ERs from IAH to SMF. Our earlier plane, an -800 went tech and we got switched to this one. I did notice the new plane smell and how everything seemed to be immaculate. I didn't have a window seat so I didn't couldn't have a clear view of the wings to notice the telltale winglets. I thought it was just a regular -800 until the captain said it was CO's first 739ER. Aside from what seemed to be louder than normal engine resonance it was just like any other 737. Interesting flight nevertheless.
Rongotai From New Zealand, joined Sep 2000, 477 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 3599 times:
Without knowing it until I checked in I was on the inaugural revenue 777 flight, flown by UA on IAD-LHR. In fact even when I boarded I thought I was on a 767, but became suspicious at the 'new car' smell.
Buslover From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 109 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 3563 times:
Yes I did, it was the first flight of Lufthansa's A340-600 from FRA to EZE on December 15th, 2003, D-AIHB.
The airplanes were not delivered as scheduled and so my flight was the first LH revenue flight.
We were sent off with Tango music and greeted in EZE with the firebrigde's arches and music as well. On board we had a large group of passengers bound for a cruise with the MS Europa.
The cabin crew briefing was held in two stages, one a few days before, the second right that evening, I asked my cockpit crew to appear a little earlier, in case there were open questions.
ERJ135 From Australia, joined Nov 2000, 670 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (3 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 3234 times:
By pure chance only, I have been on an American 737-800 on it's first revenue flight and also a Qantas 767-300 on it's first revenue flight. Or at least that's what the captains of each flight said.
Gclaxdfw From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 5 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (3 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3129 times:
The initial BN went down in May 1982. It retooled and short of charter services, it reinvented itself. I took its first flight from DFW-LAX and most fanfare was at LAX. It was exciting but too bad BN didn't make it the second time. I still collect so many photos of the original airline. It was truly one great airline no matter what.
Rscaife1682 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 319 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (3 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 3072 times:
I did a 777-200 first flight of first aircraft from EWR-LHR back in 1997 i think
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21495 posts, RR: 24 Reply 24, posted (3 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 3032 times:
I was on the delivery flight of a brand new QF 747-400 in August 1990. It operated as a special revenue flight YVR-SYD nonstop and they offered special low fares. They did that for a few of their 744 deliveries. My flight was the first-ever nonstop flight between Canada and Australia. Passengers were given a printed certificate signed by the captain and purser confirming that they had flown on the first Canada-Australia nonstop. It was only about half full. They probably limited the number of seats sold to ensure they could do it nonstop.
25 GrinddalCPH: WOW, id love to se what that certificate looks like mate, Any chance you could scan it ?
26 Viscount724: Unfortunately, I'm not sure where it is now. It's probably in one of several boxes I have never opened since I moved from YYC to GVA 13 years ago. I
27 QFFlyer: Yup! Inaugural QF A 380 flight - MEL-LAX, and also the LAX-SYD a few days later. Cheers
28 GrinddalCPH: No bother mate, Anyways, it must have been cool as hell Lucky bugger you !
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