Hello,

at this moment, as I´m writing this, the last Azores Airlines A310, CS-TGV, is doing it´s last commercial flight with this company. He´s doing S4124/RZO124 PDL-LIS (Ponta Delgada-Lisboa) and after that is going to BYJ (Beja) to be retired from service.

It´s the last one registered CS-***. Little by little these lovely (my opinion) planes are leaving the skies.
I don´t have any information as to it´s final destination, scrap or another owner.

What do you think?

http://www.flightradar24.com/RZO124/1e38f4b2

Just to let you know.

I saw on Instagram that it did a flyover this morning in PDL...very cool. I flew on -TGV a few times...going to miss the A310

Is this particular plane going to be converted to a freighter for FX?

A sad day, so few of these remaining in passenger service now! I have very fond memories of many flights on the MEA A310s back in the late 90s/early 00s.

Armodeen wrote:

A sad day, so few of these remaining in passenger service now! I have very fond memories of many flights on the MEA A310s back in the late 90s/early 00s.

Yes it is now a rare bird in passenger hauling, hard to find if you want to fly on one. I believe that Air Transat is still flying it, but I don't know who else at this point.

Very sad!

I am glad I had the chance to fly LIS-PDL last year on the A310!

So Azores Airlines will obtain A321s in the future?

American 767 wrote:

Armodeen wrote:

A sad day, so few of these remaining in passenger service now! I have very fond memories of many flights on the MEA A310s back in the late 90s/early 00s.

Yes it is now a rare bird in passenger hauling, hard to find if you want to fly on one. I believe that Air Transat is still flying it, but I don't know who else at this point.

I saw an Air Transat A310 when I landed last night in Toronto. I flew on one last summer and it was actually a very nice aircraft and in very good condition (from a passenger's perspective) given it's age.

I've always had great affection for the A310; it's a very photogenic aircraft, being quite short. It's a fine piece of machinery that has served airlines very well over the last 35 years and was one of those aircraft which made long haul twin flying the success it is today.

And let's not forget that one of the most popular photos (deservedly!) on this site is of a SATA A310 landing at Lajes in rather challenging conditions!

mpsrent wrote:

American 767 wrote:

Armodeen wrote:

A sad day, so few of these remaining in passenger service now! I have very fond memories of many flights on the MEA A310s back in the late 90s/early 00s.

Yes it is now a rare bird in passenger hauling, hard to find if you want to fly on one. I believe that Air Transat is still flying it, but I don't know who else at this point.

I saw an Air Transat A310 when I landed last night in Toronto. I flew on one last summer and it was actually a very nice aircraft and in very good condition (from a passenger's perspective) given it's age.

Yes, 9-abreast in an A310 is great.

Got the opportunity to fly on the S4 A310 a few times. They were definitely tired at the end of their lives, but will be missed.

Flew them on Kenya Airways in the late 90’s but i think that was about it.

Nooooooooooooo! Only Air Transat and maybe one of the Iranian airlines are left with the A310. I love both the 767 and 310, smaller wide bodies are amazing. I really wish that we will see an aircraft like the 310 and 767 come out soon, but I doubt it.

UAL747422 wrote:

Is this particular plane going to be converted to a freighter for FX?

No. FX is retiring the last of their A310 fleet.

The A310s will be retired from Air Transat as the A321LR come into service from next year

A310-A321: what a capacity downgrade. Widebody comfort is always so much better than narrowbody, even if it's at 9-abreast in an airbus fuselage (just my opinion)

kaitak wrote:

I've always had great affection for the A310; it's a very photogenic aircraft, being quite short. It's a fine piece of machinery that has served airlines very well over the last 35 years and was one of those aircraft which made long haul twin flying the success it is today.

And let's not forget that one of the most popular photos (deservedly!) on this site is of a SATA A310 landing at Lajes in rather challenging conditions!

and here for everyone's edification is the photo that Kaitak references

ScottishAirways wrote:

Nooooooooooooo! Only Air Transat and maybe one of the Iranian airlines are left with the A310. I love both the 767 and 310, smaller wide bodies are amazing. I really wish that we will see an aircraft like the 310 and 767 come out soon, but I doubt it.

The 797 will probably be a smaller widebody aircraft since it is aiming for the 767/A310 market.

EddieDude wrote:

Very sad!

I am glad I had the chance to fly LIS-PDL last year on the A310!

So Azores Airlines will obtain A321s in the future?

They´re already operating the A321NEO, they have two, CS-TST and CS-TSG

CS-TSF flew LIS -TER - BOS and back the last few days and CS-TSG was doing a mix of destinations , LIS, OPO, PDL, BOS.... (right now is heading to Boston).


Beside Air Transat , who operates a very interesting AGP (Málaga) - ??? (I don´t recall the destination in Canadá), flight, Mahan Air and Iran Air are also operating the type um a regular basis. Yemenia also have 1 flying regularly.

http://www.facebook.com/AzoresAirlinesO ... xNDA3MzM1/

A farewell low-pass fly-by at Ponta Delgada. A sad goodbye.

https://youtu.be/ZZcFj0tF9tY

ScottishAirways wrote:

Nooooooooooooo! Only Air Transat and maybe one of the Iranian airlines are left with the A310. I love both the 767 and 310, smaller wide bodies are amazing. I really wish that we will see an aircraft like the 310 and 767 come out soon, but I doubt it.

Yemenia supposedly has two A310s but I have no idea whether or not they are currently active due to the ongoing turmoil in Yemen at this time.

UAL747422 wrote:

Is this particular plane going to be converted to a freighter for FX?

No, FX is also retiring their A310s. They'll be gone soon.

Had a lovely flight with SATA's A310 several years ago - it's a shame to see them go. Hopefully get a flight on Air Transat's too before they are retired.

Sad to see another stubby A310 gone into retirement.

The oldest A310 in:
Civilian service now is: MSN 447 Airbus A310-304 C-GTSY Air Transat 09. Nov 2004 Active N447DN
Military service now is: MSN 418 Airbus A310-304 F-RADC Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) 07. Jan 2001 Active F-WQIC
Both are Wardair Canada origin.
Source: Planespotters.net

FlightLevel360 wrote:

A310-A321: what a capacity downgrade. Widebody comfort is always so much better than narrowbody, even if it's at 9-abreast in an airbus fuselage (just my opinion)

In their configuration they're going from 222 to 186 seats. Not a huge capacity downgrade but a HUGE operating cost improvement in fuel savings alone. I suspect the dispatch reliability will also be a lot better. Anyone who's ever flown with S4 knows they were always late because of mechanical problems. They can always make up the capacity by adding frequencies.

Current A310 in civilian use, passengers only:
MSN Aircraft Type Reg Airline
447 Airbus A310-304 C-GTSY Air Transat
483 Airbus A310-304 C-GTSW Air Transat
488 Airbus A310-304 EP-MHO Mahan Airlines
496 Airbus A310-304 YA-CAQ Ariana Afghan Airlines
497 Airbus A310-304 YA-CAV Ariana Afghan Airlines
524 Airbus A310-304 EP-MMN Mahan Airlines
526 Airbus A310-304 EP-MMJ Mahan Airlines
545 Airbus A310-304 C-GFAT Air Transat
547 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNF Mahan Airlines
564 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNX Mahan Airlines
565 Airbus A310-304 EP-TBH Taban Airlines
567 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNV Mahan Airlines
568 Airbus A310-324 7O-ADR Yemenia - Yemen Airways
588 Airbus A310-308 C-GLAT Air Transat
595 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNO Mahan Airlines
597 Airbus A310-308 C-GPAT Air Transat
599 Airbus A310-308 C-GTSH Air Transat
600 Airbus A310-308 C-GSAT Air Transat
620 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNP Mahan Airlines
651 Airbus A310-304 CS-TGV SATA International
671 Airbus A310-304 EP-IBK Iran Air
Source: https://www.planespotters.net/productio ... ort=status

Azores flew the A310 into OAK a few weeks ago, for what I think was their last flight of the season. Just happened to see it departing that day. Pretty cool sight.

airbazar wrote:

Anyone who's ever flown with S4 knows they were always late because of mechanical problems. They can always make up the capacity by adding frequencies.

In Nov 2016 I flew them once for a quick overnighter and back YYZ-PDL-YYZ just for the A310 and the flights operated on time both directions. Guess I got lucky...

Outbound flight: http://www.aeromoe.com/flightlog/flt558.html

Inbound flight: http://www.aeromoe.com/flightlog/flt559.html

CS-TKN at Ponta Delgada, Azores on 26 Nov, 2016 shortly after our dawn arrival from Toronto.




Moe

juliuswong wrote:

Current A310 in civilian use, passengers only:
MSN Aircraft Type Reg Airline
447 Airbus A310-304 C-GTSY Air Transat
483 Airbus A310-304 C-GTSW Air Transat
488 Airbus A310-304 EP-MHO Mahan Airlines
496 Airbus A310-304 YA-CAQ Ariana Afghan Airlines
497 Airbus A310-304 YA-CAV Ariana Afghan Airlines
524 Airbus A310-304 EP-MMN Mahan Airlines
526 Airbus A310-304 EP-MMJ Mahan Airlines
545 Airbus A310-304 C-GFAT Air Transat
547 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNF Mahan Airlines
564 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNX Mahan Airlines
565 Airbus A310-304 EP-TBH Taban Airlines
567 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNV Mahan Airlines
568 Airbus A310-324 7O-ADR Yemenia - Yemen Airways
588 Airbus A310-308 C-GLAT Air Transat
595 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNO Mahan Airlines
597 Airbus A310-308 C-GPAT Air Transat
599 Airbus A310-308 C-GTSH Air Transat
600 Airbus A310-308 C-GSAT Air Transat
620 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNP Mahan Airlines
651 Airbus A310-304 CS-TGV SATA International
671 Airbus A310-304 EP-IBK Iran Air
Source: https://www.planespotters.net/productio ... ort=status

Happily we can add 2 more to your list. The 2 ex-TAROM frames (636 and 644) ended up with Mayan after going through an Armenian shell company.

Spacepope wrote:

juliuswong wrote:

Current A310 in civilian use, passengers only:
MSN Aircraft Type Reg Airline
447 Airbus A310-304 C-GTSY Air Transat
483 Airbus A310-304 C-GTSW Air Transat
488 Airbus A310-304 EP-MHO Mahan Airlines
496 Airbus A310-304 YA-CAQ Ariana Afghan Airlines
497 Airbus A310-304 YA-CAV Ariana Afghan Airlines
524 Airbus A310-304 EP-MMN Mahan Airlines
526 Airbus A310-304 EP-MMJ Mahan Airlines
545 Airbus A310-304 C-GFAT Air Transat
547 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNF Mahan Airlines
564 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNX Mahan Airlines
565 Airbus A310-304 EP-TBH Taban Airlines
567 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNV Mahan Airlines
568 Airbus A310-324 7O-ADR Yemenia - Yemen Airways
588 Airbus A310-308 C-GLAT Air Transat
595 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNO Mahan Airlines
597 Airbus A310-308 C-GPAT Air Transat
599 Airbus A310-308 C-GTSH Air Transat
600 Airbus A310-308 C-GSAT Air Transat
620 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNP Mahan Airlines
651 Airbus A310-304 CS-TGV SATA International
671 Airbus A310-304 EP-IBK Iran Air
Source: https://www.planespotters.net/productio ... ort=status

Happily we can add 2 more to your list. The 2 ex-TAROM frames (636 and 644) ended up with Mayan after going through an Armenian shell company.

MSN 636 Airbus A310-325 EP- Iran Airtour
MSN 644 Airbus A310-325 EP- Iran Airtour

Both are currently stored. Hopefully they will fly again soon, as whole, not as spare parts for other A310 in Iran.

Victorville wrote:

mpsrent wrote:

American 767 wrote:

Yes it is now a rare bird in passenger hauling, hard to find if you want to fly on one. I believe that Air Transat is still flying it, but I don't know who else at this point.

I saw an Air Transat A310 when I landed last night in Toronto. I flew on one last summer and it was actually a very nice aircraft and in very good condition (from a passenger's perspective) given it's age.

Yes, 9-abreast in an A310 is great.

Yeah, and I am ready to bet that you are one of those armchair a.netters who's actually never flown on one!

Anyway, moot point as SATA flies them 8-across, and the Air Transat ones (from personal experience) have not only better than average legroom, but a very nice, modern, sharp interior.

juliuswong wrote:

Spacepope wrote:

juliuswong wrote:

Current A310 in civilian use, passengers only:
MSN Aircraft Type Reg Airline
447 Airbus A310-304 C-GTSY Air Transat
483 Airbus A310-304 C-GTSW Air Transat
488 Airbus A310-304 EP-MHO Mahan Airlines
496 Airbus A310-304 YA-CAQ Ariana Afghan Airlines
497 Airbus A310-304 YA-CAV Ariana Afghan Airlines
524 Airbus A310-304 EP-MMN Mahan Airlines
526 Airbus A310-304 EP-MMJ Mahan Airlines
545 Airbus A310-304 C-GFAT Air Transat
547 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNF Mahan Airlines
564 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNX Mahan Airlines
565 Airbus A310-304 EP-TBH Taban Airlines
567 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNV Mahan Airlines
568 Airbus A310-324 7O-ADR Yemenia - Yemen Airways
588 Airbus A310-308 C-GLAT Air Transat
595 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNO Mahan Airlines
597 Airbus A310-308 C-GPAT Air Transat
599 Airbus A310-308 C-GTSH Air Transat
600 Airbus A310-308 C-GSAT Air Transat
620 Airbus A310-304 EP-MNP Mahan Airlines
651 Airbus A310-304 CS-TGV SATA International
671 Airbus A310-304 EP-IBK Iran Air
Source: https://www.planespotters.net/productio ... ort=status

Happily we can add 2 more to your list. The 2 ex-TAROM frames (636 and 644) ended up with Mayan after going through an Armenian shell company.

MSN 636 Airbus A310-325 EP- Iran Airtour
MSN 644 Airbus A310-325 EP- Iran Airtour

Both are currently stored. Hopefully they will fly again soon, as whole, not as spare parts for other A310 in Iran.

Jesus Christ just 22 aircraft!? Man times are changing pretty quick!

kaitak wrote:

I've always had great affection for the A310; it's a very photogenic aircraft, being quite short. It's a fine piece of machinery that has served airlines very well over the last 35 years and was one of those aircraft which made long haul twin flying the success it is today.

Very true. Always loved the mix short body with a tall tail, and it always sounded powerful, especially with the Pratts. By comparison to other types, not many A310s were manufactured but they proved valuable since some are still around 30+ years later.

MileHFL400 wrote:

Flew them on Kenya Airways in the late 90’s but i think that was about it.

I got to fly the KQ one also. In the early 90’s they routed LHR-ATH-NBO. I flew the LHR-ATH sector. Very cheap tickets back then.

I flew KLM, Air France and Royal Jordanian A310s, the RJ was falling to bits inside! (2003)

An amazing farewell video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycnp_Fd23es&t=2s

Great video and SATA Air Azores did the aircraft proud by that stunning fly past.

I've always found the A310 an extremely attractive aircraft being very well proportioned and very capable and although only 250 examples were built it's a testament to Airbus to have the aircraft still flying in 2018 when the majority of it's contemporaries have long been withdrawn from commercial service.

The A310 is one of my favourite aircraft from that era and I have had the pleasure to fly on several A310 including Air France (once), Air Transat (twice), KLM (three), Lufthansa (once), TAP (twice).

BCAL ordered three A310 in 1983 with only two of them eventually being delivered to the airline in early 1984, they didn't last long with BCAL and both were sold on by the end of 1985.

I've have always wondered, if BCAL had retained the A310 )rather than selling them after such a short period with the airline) and they had probably ordered more of the type by the time of the merger (takeover) with British Airways in 1988 we might have seen the aircraft wearing the BA ''Landor'' scheme because in my opinion that would have looked absolutely fantastic on a A310.

(If that was the case and the airline retained the A310 we might well have seen British Airways eventually ordering the A330 but that's for another thread)

The A310 has always looked good in any airline livery but it looked absolutely amazing in the BCAL colours and I was personally very disappointed at the time when they decided to sell them.

Hello,

CS-TKN one of the A310 of Azores Airlines was scrapped today at Lis.

Some photos can be viewed here, in portuguese:

http://www.facebook.com/asasdosacores/? ... PY&fref=nf

Don't know if that is the right place to ask but I have always wondered if Sata International & Azores Airlines are different AOCs? Sata still has 2 A320s while Air Azores operates 1 A320, 2 A321neo & 1 A330(stored?). Are they one company or not? Do the same crews operate theses aircraft?

CS-TKM being stored/scrapped in California:



https://www.facebook.com/groups/SoCalNe ... 177774341/