YESTERDAY'S AIRLINES
  • Home
    • About
    • Links
  • My Models
    • The NZ Hangar 2016-2022
    • USA - Trunk Airlines >
      • Pan Am
      • American Airlines
      • Braniff International
      • Continental Airlines
      • Delta Air Lines
      • Eastern Air Lines
      • National Airlines
      • Northeast Airlines
      • Northwest Airlines
      • Trans World Airlines (TWA)
      • United Airlines
      • Western Airlines
    • USA - Local Service >
      • Allegheny / USAir
      • Frontier Airlines
      • Hughes Airwest
      • Mohawk Airlines
      • Piedmont Airlines
      • My Ozark Airlines Fleet
      • Republic Airlines
      • My Texas Int Fleet
    • Global Fleets >
      • Russia
    • My Collection >
      • US Other Fleets >
        • My Alaska Airlines Fleet
        • My Hawaiian / Aloha Fleet
        • My PSA Fleet
        • My Flying Tigers Fleet
        • My World Airways Fleet
      • UK Fleets >
        • My British Airways Fleet
      • Canadian Fleets
  • AV History
    • Airline History Blog
    • Airline Development >
      • CANADA >
        • Canadian Mainline
        • Canadian Charters & LCCs
        • Canadian Regionals
      • CHINA >
        • Part 1: China's Airlines Industry Blossoms 1984-2002
        • Part 2: The Big Six in the 1990s
        • The Big Three
        • Hainan Airlines Group
        • Other Chinese Airlines
      • IRAN
      • MEXICO >
        • 1988-2005: Competition arrives
        • 2005-2014: Low cost in Mexico
        • Mexican Airline Genealogy
        • Mexicana Livery Tails
      • RUSSIA >
        • Aeroflot Group
        • S7 Airlines & AiRUnion
        • Other Russian Airlines
      • SOUTH AFRICA
      • UNITED KINGDOM >
        • BA Genealogy Pt1
        • BA Genealogy Pt2
        • BA Genealogy Pt3
        • BUIA & BUAF Genealogies
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt1
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt2
        • BEA Liveries 1946-1974
        • BOAC Liveries 1939-1974
      • UNITED STATES >
        • Trunk & Local Service Airlines >
          • American / TWA Genealogy
          • Delta / Northwest Genealogy
          • United / Continental Genealogy
          • Braniff / Eastern / US Airways Genealogy
        • Territorial Airlines
        • Intra-State Airlines
        • Supplemental Airlines
        • Deregulation Startups 1
        • Deregulation Startups 2
        • Trunk Airline Livery Changes 1959-1980
    • Liveries >
      • Aeroméxico Liveries
      • American Airlines Liveries
      • British Airways Liveries
      • Continental Airlines Liveries
      • Delta Air Lines Liveries
      • Eastern Air Lines Liveries
      • Landor Liveries
      • National Airlines Liveries
      • Northeast Airlines Liveries
      • Northwest Airlines Liveries
      • Pan Am Liveries
      • Trans World Airlines Liveries
      • United Airlines Liveries
      • Western Airlines Liveries
    • Special Liveries >
      • Air China Specials
    • Airbus A380s >
      • ANA A380s - Flying Honu
      • Korean A380s - Taegeuk
      • Malaysia A380s - Wau Jets
    • Boeing 747 >
      • The Early Years Pt1
      • The Early Years Pt2: Pan Am
    • Real Airport Histories >
      • Albany International
      • Dallas Love Field
      • Rochester International Pt1
      • Rochester International Pt2
      • San Francisco - 1927-1959
      • San Francisco - 1959-1978
      • San Francisco - 1978-2015
      • San Jose International
      • San Jose International Pt2
    • Plane Spotting >
      • Amsterdam (AMS) - Sep 22
      • Frankfurt (FRA) - Oct 2022
    • Aviation Stickers >
      • ATR Stickers
      • A300 Stickers
      • DC-9 Stickers
      • DC-10 Stickers
  • 1:400 SCALE
    • Collecting 1:400 Scale >
      • Who Is The Best?
      • Best Moulds in 400 Scale
    • The History of 1:400 Scale >
      • 1:400 History Pt1: 1996-2000
      • 1:400 History Pt2: 2001-2008
    • 1:400 Brands >
      • Aeroclassics >
        • Generation One History
        • Gen 1 Photo Galleries >
          • BAC One-Eleven
          • Douglas DC-6
          • Douglas DC-9
          • Fairchild FH-227
          • Lockheed L-1049 Super Connie
          • Lockheed L-188 Electra
          • Vickers VC10
          • Vickers Vanguard
          • Vickers Viscount
      • AURORA Models
      • Aviation400 (2007-2012)
      • Big Bird 400 Your Craftsman
      • Black Box Models
      • Blue Box & Magic Models
      • Dragon Wings
      • El Aviador 400
      • Gemini Jets
      • JAL Collection / Jet Hut >
        • The JAL Collection
        • JAL Collection Reviews
        • Jet Hut Boeing 787-9
      • Jet-X >
        • Jet-X: Part 1 2000-2006
        • Jet-X: Part 2 2006-2012
      • MP4 & Airshop Diecast
      • NG Models
      • Seattle Models Co (SMA)
      • Skyjets400
      • Sovereign Models
      • TucanoLine
    • 1:400 Custom Models >
      • DT Custom Models >
        • Tupolev Tu-134s
    • Zinc Rot
  • 1:400 Moulds
    • The Best Moulds >
      • The Best Airbus Moulds Pt1
      • The Best Airbus Moulds Pt2
      • The Best Boeing Moulds Pt1
      • The Best Boeing Moulds Pt2
    • Airbus >
      • Airbus A300
      • Airbus A310
      • Airbus A320 >
        • JC Wings A320 Upgrades
      • Airbus A330-200/300
      • Airbus A330-200F
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL >
        • A320 Inserts for Beluga XL
      • Airbus A350-900/1000
    • Boeing >
      • Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser
      • Boeing 707-120/138/720
      • Boeing 707-320/420
      • Boeing 717
      • Boeing 727-100
      • Boeing 727-200
      • Boeing 737-100/200
      • Boeing 737-300 >
        • Herpa 737s
      • Boeing 737-400
      • Boeing 737-500
      • Boeing 737-600
      • Boeing 737-700/800/900 >
        • P-8 Poseidon Mould Review
      • Boeing 737 MAX
      • Boeing 747-100/200 >
        • Awful Phoenix 747s
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-8 Interactive
      • Boeing 747LCF Dreamlifter
      • Boeing 757-200 >
        • NG Models 757 Production
      • Boeing 767-200
      • Boeing 767-300
      • Boeing 777-200
      • Boeing 777-300
      • Boeing 787
    • British >
      • Concorde
      • BAC One-Eleven 200-400
      • BAC One-Eleven 500
      • BAE-146 / Avro RJ-85-100
      • De Havilland DH-106 Comet
      • Hawker Siddeley Trident
      • Shorts 360
      • Vickers VC10
      • Vickers Viscount
    • Douglas >
      • Douglas DC-3 / C-47
      • Douglas DC-6
      • Douglas DC-7
      • Douglas DC-7C
      • Douglas DC-8-10-50
      • Douglas DC-8-60s/70s
      • Douglas DC-9-10
      • Douglas DC-9-30
      • Douglas DC-9-41/51
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-11
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-80
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-90
    • Lockheed >
      • Lockheed Constellation
      • Lockheed Super Connie
      • Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
      • Lockheed L-188 Electra
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 1 / Tristar 200
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 500
    • Other >
      • Convair CV-240-580
      • Convair CV-880/990
      • Curtiss C-46
      • Fairchild F-27 / Fokker F27
      • Fairchild-Hiller FH-227
      • Fokker F28/F70/F100
      • SE 210 Caravelle
    • Chinese >
      • Comac ARJ21
      • Xi'an Y-20
    • Soviet >
      • Antonov An-225
      • Ilyushin IL-62
      • Ilyushin Il-86/Il-96
      • Tupolev TU-104
      • Tupolev TU-154B-2/M
      • Tupolev TU-204
      • Yakovlev Yak-42
  • 1:400 News
    • Model Blog
    • New Mould Samples >
      • Aviation400 >
        • Airbus A320
        • Airbus A330-900NEO
        • Airbus A380 Resin Sample
        • Airbus A380 Metal Sample
        • Airbus A380 Final Sample
        • Boeing 787 Update Mar 21
        • Boeing 787 Update July 21
      • JC Wings >
        • Airbus A310
        • Boeing 747-400
      • NG Models >
        • Airbus A318
        • Airbus A319/320 CEO
        • Airbus A319/320 NEO
        • Airbus A321CEO & NEO
        • Airbus A330-200/300
        • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
        • Airbus A350-900
        • Airbus A350-1000
        • AVIC AG600M - 1:200
        • Boeing 737-600/700/900
        • Boeing 737-600 Refresh
        • Boeing 737-800
        • Boeing 737 MAX-8/MAX-9
        • Boeing B747SP
        • Boeing 747-8I
        • Boeing 747-8F
        • Boeing 777-200
        • Boeing 777-300/300ER
        • Boeing 787-8
        • Comac ARJ21 - 1:200
        • Falcon 7X - 1:200
        • Gulfstream G550 - 1:200
        • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
        • Lockeed Tristar 500
        • Tupolev Tu-154
        • Tupolev Tu-204/Tu-214/Tu-234
    • Retailer Exclusive Releases >
      • Panda Models Exclusives >
        • Panda Exclusives 2015-2021
        • Panda Exclusives 2022
      • JAL DC-8 Twinset
    • FantasyWings GSE >
      • Apron Equipment
      • COBUS 3000 Buses
      • GSE Pax & Cargo Sets
      • Hong Kong Outer Bay Set
      • Hong Kong ATC Tower Set
      • 1:200 GSE Cargo/GPU Sets
      • 1:200 COBUS 3000 Buses
  • 1:400 Reviews
    • Detailed Mould Scoring >
      • Airbus A320ceo & neo
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
      • Airbus A330-900neo
      • Airbus A350-900
      • Boeing 737-800
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-400
      • Boeing 777-300ER
      • Boeing 787-9
    • 1:400 Model Reviews
    • Model Airliner.com Reviews
  • 1:600 SCALE
    • Schabak >
      • Schabak History 1982-2006
      • Schabak Non-airline Models
      • Schabak Airline Numbers
      • Schabak Wheel Variants
      • Schabak Window Variants
      • Schabak Decal Cracking
    • Schabak Moulds >
      • Airbus A300
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
    • Silver Wings
    • Herpa Magic 600 Scale >
      • Herpa Magic History
      • Herpa Magic Mould Photos
    • Imogenia Airport
  • Dioramas
    • Wright Field Airport
    • Xin Long International
    • As Real As It Gets 1:200
    • As Real As It Gets 1:400 >
      • Real As It Gets - Africa
      • Real As It Gets - Asia
      • Real As It Gets - China
      • Real As It Gets - Europe
      • Real As It Gets - Middle East
      • Real As It Gets - N America
      • Real As It Gets - Oceania
      • Real As It Gets - Russia
      • Real As It Gets - S America
Picture

Hippie Express: Loftleidir's Low Cost Long-haul

7/3/2018

19 Comments

 
Picture
Iceland sits in a fortuitous position in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Wow Air is currently leveraging this benefit but it is hardly the first airline to do so. That accolade goes to Loftleidir Icelandic, which for many years found a way around the strict regulated transatlantic market to provide the world's first low cost long haul scheduled service.
Picture
Loftleidir Douglas DC-8-63CF TF-FLB Aeroclassics 1:400 Scale Model Airliner
Loftleidir (advertised internationally simply as Icelandic Airlines) was formed as far back as 1944 by a trio of young pilots fresh out of training in Canada. They had by 1946 acquired a DC-4 and on June 17th 1947 the company started its first international route between Reykjavik and Copenhagen. It was the 1948 granting of permission to fly to New York from Copenhagen via Reykjavik that opened the door for the opportunity that would make the airline both famous, and notorious. Loftleidir's success in dealings with the US FAA was aided by its president Hjalmar Finnson who had extensive experience doing business in the USA.
Picture
A Loftleidir DC-4. From the awesome Ed Coates collection
What was perceived as unfair treatment by the Icelandic government, vis a vis their domestic rival Flugfélag Íslands, led to Loftleidir's cessation of all domestic services in 1952 and the concentration on long haul routes from Hamburg or Luxembourg via Reykjavik to New York. Later Amsterdam, Glasgow, Helsinki and Oslo were added.
Picture
Picture
What a lineup at Idlewild! Front is a Loftleidir DC-6B
Sigurdur Helgason joined the board in 1953 and he was a strong proponent of the airline's future strategy. As a non-IATA member Loftliedir did not have to obey the strict fare and service rules of the organisation and so could charge fares well below the norm.
Picture
Success enabled the replacement of the DC-4s with 5 DC-6Bs acquired from Pan Am in 1960, however the airline's star rose impressively in 1964 with the acquisition of its first Canadair CL-44. This giant turboprop development of the Bristol Brittania had not been a sales success. Loftleidir needed an aircraft it could afford, wouldn't incur the wrath of the IATA jet operating airlines and still enabled it to make a profit.

The CL-44 offered unparalleled freight capacity and in passenger configuration excellent efficiency. With everyone else competing with jet service only the outsider Loftleidir was willing to try it in passenger configuration. It offered them the perfect way to transport large numbers at low fares and Canadair had several leftover airframes it hadn't been able to sell.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture courtesy of Icelandair.co.uk
Picture
The first aircraft, a CL-44D4-8 was delivered in May 1965 and was followed by a second, however Loftleidir saw even greater opportunity and requested that Canadair stretch the airframe. This created the CL-44J - the largest airliner flying across the Atlantic. With a 3.07m stretch ahead of the wings and a 1.55m stretch aft it could seat 29 extra passengers, although the increased weight necessitated the removal of the centre wing tanks and therefore range wasn't quite as good as the standard CL-44.
Picture
TF-LLG at JFK
The three already delivered aircraft were converted into CL-44Js and the fourth aircraft was converted prior to delivery. Loftleidir called the new aircraft Rolls-Royce 400 Jet Props in an effort to make them more familiar to the US travelling public. The airline had been growing at an impressive rate, over 30% year on year, as it had found an enthusiastic market in US college students eager for cheap fares to Europe. The flights became known as 'Hippie flights' even by the airline, which aided the adventure by building a hotel in Reykjavik included in the package.
Picture
The new CL-44Js could carry up to 189 passengers however Loftleidir's success hadn't gone unnoticed. Not being an IATA member there was little direct action that could be taken against the airline, however many European airports refused to let Loftleidir operate its new CL-44Js at anything more than the capacity of their DC-6s i.e. 160 passengers.This forced Loftleidir to focus on the remaining airports that allowed full capacity operations. In Europe this was only Luxembourg.
Picture
Timetables images from the always excellent timetableimages.com
Nonetheless Loftleidir continued to make profits and in 1968 converted a former Flying Tigers CL-44D4-2 into full passenger configuration. Clearly even with the big propjets in service pure jets would have to be the airline's future. The stretched Douglas DC-8 Super 60s most closely fitted the airline's needs allowing high capacity and the capability for the airline to keep its price advantage. Discussions were held with Douglas about buying new aircraft but in the end a more economical path was found to the first jets.
Picture
The US supplemental and cargo airlines (Capitol, ONA, Seaboard World etc) had spent heavily on DC-8-63s but with the wind down in Vietnam beginning the number of military trooping contracts was not as high as it had been. A wet lease deal was agreed with Seaboard World for 3 series 63s. One would be permanent for three years whilst the other two would be seasonal 6 month summer leases.
Picture
The DC-8-63CF delivery scheme
Picture
The first aircraft arrived on May 4, 1970 with all three in service by the end of the month. This wasn't the only change either as in 1970 Loftleidir joined IATA spelling the end of its rebellious phase. Its fares remained low but not as low as they had been previously. The CL-44Js left the fleet between 1970-72 all going to the new cargo airline Cargolux, within which Loftleidir was an investor. To compensate for their departure the DC-8 fleet was expanded. A series 55F was leased from Seaboard World for two years and introduced a modified jet livery. Icelandic Airlines still advertised itself as having 'Lowest jet fares to Europe'.
Picture
Unsurprisingly the changing roster of DC-8s coming on and off lease led to various scheme variants during the 1970s. Unfortunately Loftleidir, which had been aggressively independent was less successful in the early 1970s due to the ongoing fuel crisis and increasing competition from Flugfélag Íslands. After a concerted effort by the Icelandic government the two airlines merged into one holding company, named Flugleidir, in 1973.
Loftleidir kept its own identity and the DC-8 fleet expanded, with several aircraft acquiring Icelandic registrations. This seeming independence couldn't continue however and in 1979 Icelandair was formed as the combined name of Loftleidir and Flugleidir when the latter, despite being the smaller of the two, acquired the former in totality. Icelandair continued the business model of Loftleidir using the DC-8s to fly to Luxembourg.
Picture
TF-FLC in the late 70s scheme. Photo by Udo Haafke from Wikipedia
Loftleidir during the 1950s and 60s defined the concept of low cost scheduled long-haul services using its unique geographic position and non-IATA membership firmly to its advantage. It is not surprising that both Icelandair and more recently WOW Air have continued this strategy albeit with much more efficient aircraft.
References

Evanich III, J. Lost Schemes: #80 Loftleidir Icelandic DC-8-63 (1967). AirlinerCafe.com
Loftleidir. Wikipedia
Loftleidir. RZJets.net
Loftleidir. CL-44.com
19 Comments
Denny Payne
7/3/2018 06:33:30 pm

By at least 1985 Icelandair was able to expand beyond New York and Luxembourg - that summer I flew BWI-KEF-LHR on TF-FLU and returned LUX-KEF-BWI (didn't get the reg that time, unfortunately).

Reply
BWI-ROCman
3/5/2018 07:26:59 pm

Very interesting history. What was the benefit of joining IATA? If Icelandic could keep their fares lower by staying clear of the de-facto cartel, why join?

I first saw Icelandic at BWI on a connecting stop in 1986. One of their DC-8's was parked at the old Delta-United B concourse that is now built into the big A-B WN complex on the, um, southwest side of the terminal.I'm glad to see that Icelandic is returning to BWI seasonally this year, after having left over a decade ago.

Jim

Reply
HERB. SHANAFELT link
3/8/2019 06:25:32 am

8\3\2019... Just. One. Incredible. Remembrance of a 12 year old lads' Trip to great British in the Summer of 1964 !! Warms. My. 67. Year old. Heart. EXCEEDINGLY ! The LOFTLEIDER. SUPERCONNIE L-- 109C WAS ONE. Incredible. Flight. !!

Reply
Titus Johnson link
25/1/2020 09:41:29 pm

Very well written and informative. I flew with Icelandair on the last ever LUXKEF sector in November 1998. I also started the LUXLCY service that year with VLM and employed long term Loftleidir employee Ernest Moyen as LUX Station Manager. Recently I have assisted WOW develop in the USA and India. Wow really mirrored Loftleidir very closely in their operational and commercial approach. Loftleidir were years ahead of their time.

Reply
Terry MacManus
9/1/2021 11:33:31 am

Hi
Do you know if Ernie Mourns is still around .I'd love to say hello .We worked together on a project in the 1970 s . I'd love to say hello .
Regards
Terry

Reply
G.M. Bendoritis
25/5/2020 04:39:47 pm

Loved my first transatlantic "Hippie Flight" probably on the DC-6B arriving at JFK on December 23, 1964. Our first leg was from Luxembourg to arrive at Reykjavik during a horrendous snowstorm. They had to walk us off the plane holding on to each of us one passenger at a time to get us on the bus. Had to wait there for hours for the next plane to take off. Then (still due to Atlantic weather conditions) our pilot's plan was to land in Canada, but the weather improved and we eventually landed at JFK with much applause and gratitude for our pilot. It was a very memorable trip and I really enjoyed the courteous service by our Loftleidir's hostesses who were sooo much nicer than the snippy U.S. crew flying me from New York to San Francisco. It was a nice start to a U.S. immigrant's story.

Reply
Bruce G Rollin
9/8/2020 05:44:12 pm

After posting on a different site I thought I'd share this Loftleiðir childhood travel memory:
Early in June of 1965 my family, me (11), Lisa (7), Mom (33) & Dad (35) boarded a Loftleiðir (Icelandic Airlines) Douglas DC-6B (ex-PanAM) at JFK, around 10 PM EST for a overnight transatlantic journey to Oxford. Or Cambridge. Dad hadn't yet decided where to spend his first year long sabbatical from Franklin & Marshall College.
Not to belabour the Spartan nature of our trip, the various accommodations best described as primitive, and vintage airliners surplussed from other carriers already embracing The Jet Age, Dad had specifically chosen to fly Loftleiðir, THE pioneers of low-cost flights. TWA, Lufthansa, SAS, BOAC or PanAm these guys were not, yet were quite proud of their "We are the slowest but the lowest." slogan!!
After droning through the night (presumably I slept through the stop in Gander, Newfoundland) I woke up as we landed in Iceland, very early (0230) in the morning. Bypassing what appeared to be a proper terminal, we were ushered a utilitarian building whose sign read "NAS Keflavik". That was our only sightseeing on the island! Mom said she had "the worst cup of coffee in my life" during our short stay in a chilly, sparsely & uncomfortably equipped, nearly deserted military 'lounge'.
We re-boarded & pressed on through the night to another interim destination, Prestwick Scotland Once there, a bleak morning's pale sunshine greeted us as entered yet another uncivilized holding area. On the ground in Glasgow longer this time there was NOTHING to do but read, which my sister & I both did quite well, and cheerfully. .
Finally our flight resumed, having changed 'planes, to a modern turboprop! A first for Dad & I both, Loftleiðir's "Rolls-Royce 400 PropJet", a Canadair CL-44J, flew us South for the hop to London's Gatwick. If the DC-6's Big Round Engines, two pair of WWII era Pratt & Whitney R-2800 "Double Wasp" radials, droned & hummed us across the Atlantic, then those four Rolls-Royce Tyne turboprops positively screamed and snarled around us, thrilling this 'plane crazy 11 year old!!
Our final leg complete, we disembarked under proverbial dark & rainy skies well after 9 PM BST, an unforgettable "24 Hour" journey! Mind you we weren't in the air the non-stop, as a jet flight would have been, with the Prestwick layover being especially lengthy, plus the time difference of 6 hours it was pretty damn close.We had traveled from NYC to London over the course of late one evening to the evening of the following day.
I have a vague memory of Customs, as Lisa & I shared a passport, but the important thing that stood out in my young mind was the traffic, lumbering around in a circle. I mean a Circle? Why? That question fled when I realised there was a huge Saint Bernard DRIVING a big black car around that circle!!! My brain hadn't yet comprehended how 'big' their automobiles weren't, that Brits had steering wheels on the passenger's side, and they were lumbering along on the wrong side of the road. Hey, did I mention I was 11, a boy, tired, excited and overseas for the second time in my life?
25 years after it's inception, my family & I had just flown World War Two's North Atlantic Air Ferry Route, following the slipstreams of tens of thousands of young men and their aircraft heading East to liberate Europe. Subsequent transatlantic crossings would be with the family on the RMS Queen Elizabeth, Westward, home bound from this adventure and solo on various non-stop, nondescript, jet flights returning to Britain.

Reply
Terry MacManus
8/9/2020 06:08:28 pm

Great article I was with Aer Lingus and was providing training to Loftleidir during the merger with the other two entities referred to.
I met a gentleman from Luxembourg then and became friendly with him. His name is Ernest Moyen.
Does anyone know him and if he is still around how I could make contact please?

Reply
Ernest Kirpach
20/12/2021 04:06:12 pm

He is still alive . He,s on facebook

Reply
Ella karanowytsch
11/11/2020 04:38:56 am

I was an Icelandic Airlines stewardess in 1970 based in Reykjavik. It was the most happiness time of my life. Our passengers were unique, and I had the privilege of serving Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Askenezy. It was a wonderful era. Hippies and New York Jewish women flew us. We used cognac to clean the wooden tray carts.

Reply
Peter Dubsky
17/11/2020 05:23:07 am

I was delighted to read the wonderful memories of people that experienced Loftleidir and subsequently Icelandair
I can relate to the message from Ella a former stewardess as I too first experienced Loftleidir when In June 1970 I started to work for the GSA of Loftleidir selling their airline tickets to the numerous students from Israel’s Universities not only to Jewish women but also many many Israeli men.
I served Icelandair for over 30 years until my retirement and have wonderful memories of my visits to Iceland also when I brought groups of Israeli Travel Agents to visit Iceland on an educational trip to savour the wonders of the land of fire and ice not to mention the service on board by stewardesses such as the aforementioned Ella
Perhaps she was one of the staff that served us shrimp cocktails with our meal. Yes real food.
Those were the days!

Reply
Ella Karanowytsch
8/1/2021 11:34:17 pm

I also worked for Irish Airlines on 5th Avenue in the teletype department with Inez and a German girl names Margo before joining Icelandic Airlines as a stewardess.
I believe I did meet Mr. MacManus.
Small world...….

I have an old Icelandic postcard with a picture of Icelandic Airlines and Pan Nam Airlines at Keflavik Airport. And a photo of Icelandic Airlines stewardesses (me included) in the 70"s if Mr. Stretton is interested..
I still have my old Icelandic Airlines uniform. Yes, it still fits.

Reply
terry macmanus
8/1/2021 11:48:29 pm

Hi Ella
My memory is not as good ass it should be - where did we meet? Was it when you were with Irish or Loftleider?
Regards
Terry

Ella Karanowytsch
9/1/2021 01:02:48 am

Hello Terry,

We met at Irish Airlines at 5th Ave. I believe you were in sales.
You would not remember me, as when you entered the teletype room, your eyes were focused on Margo.

I joined Icelandic Airlines shortly after.

terrymacmanus
9/1/2021 11:42:30 am

Thanks Ella
I am sure you are being modest. I was in management and customer service training in the 1970s. So I would have been in and out of 5 th Ave.
Did you ultimately live in Iceland or the USA? I visited Iceland about two years ago and loved it .I also spoke to some people in Icelandair who were thrilled to talk to someone who had been around in the 1970s .I felt a bit like some museum exhibit. But all in good fun .
I was working there when Fischer played Spassky in the World Chess championship .it was in the Lotleidir Hotel where I was staying .
Great memories
Best regards
Terry

Reply
Ella Karanowytsch
9/1/2021 10:47:14 pm

Loftleidir Hotel, a legendary hotel.
During the 70's, Loftleidir was a focal point for many Icelandic/Loftleidir stewardesses. lcelandic Airlines hired several European stewardesses for their language skill, (me included) with training by Seaboard World Airlines at JFK and finalizing at the Loftleidir hotel.
My first flight was a Icelandic Airlines turbo jet ferry from JFK to Kefliviik on its last voyage.
My experience on the stretch DC-8 included viewing the eruption of the active volcano Hekla from the cockpit, and a harrowing drop in altitude just outside of landing at JFK.

The website has a photo of my fellow stewardesses holding a Loftleidir airplane model at JFK. They just arrived from working a flight from Reykjavik and told me someone took their photo. I was working the return flight to Reykjavik.

Glory, classy and hippie days of Loftleidir remembered by all. Best wishes to all Loftleidir fans.

Ella

P.S. I eventually made my home in Los Angeles.

Reply
terry macmanus
10/1/2021 12:15:12 am

Thanks Ella - great memories.
Terry

Ella karanowytsch
10/1/2021 04:15:02 am

Hello Terry,

Memories are eternal.

Thank you for sharing of a time that once was. A joy to read.

Ella

Reply
Michael L Gerke
18/12/2021 09:53:21 pm

Hello - can someone help me with a question please? In 1964 when I was just a 6 year old lad, my family immigrated from Europe to US and flew Loftleidir from Luxemburg to New York. My dad thinks we landed at Idelwild.Would someone know which aircraft would most likely have been used by Loftleidir on that route during 1964? Was it DC-6 or the CL-44? Thank you - from a curious 63 year old Avgeek!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I'm Richard Stretton: a fan of classic airliners and airlines who enjoys exploring their history through my collection of die-cast airliners. If you enjoy the site please donate whatever you can to help keep it running:


    RSS Feed



    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All
    2015 Review
    2016 Review
    2017 Review
    Aer Lingus
    Aeroclassics
    Aero Continente
    African Airlines
    Air 2000
    Air America
    Air Aruba
    Airbus A300
    Airbus A310
    Airbus A319
    Airbus A320
    Airbus A321
    Airbus A330
    Airbus A340
    Airbus A350
    Airbus A380
    Air BVI
    Air China
    Air Florida
    Air Gabon
    Air Holland
    Air India
    Airlines Of Africa
    Airlines Of Asia
    Airlines Of Australasia
    Airlines Of C America
    Airlines Of Canada
    Airlines Of China
    Airlines Of Europe
    Airlines Of France
    Airlines Of Mexico
    Airlines Of Middle East
    Airlines Of Russia
    Airlines Of S America
    Airlines Of The UK
    Airlines Of The USA
    Air West
    Air Wisconsin
    Alaska Airlines
    Aloha Airlines
    American Airlines
    America West Airlines
    Ansett
    Antonov AN-124
    Apollo
    ATR-72
    Aurora Models
    Austrian Airlines
    AVIACSA
    BAC One-Eleven
    Big Bird
    Blue Box
    Boeing 707
    Boeing 717
    Boeing 720
    Boeing 727
    Boeing 737
    Boeing 747
    Boeing 757
    Boeing 767
    Boeing 777
    Boeing 787
    Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser
    Braniff International
    Bristol Britannia
    British Aerospace BAE-146
    British Airways
    British European (BEA)
    Canadair C-4 North Star
    Canadian Pacific
    Capital Airlines
    Cathay Pacific
    Central American Airlines
    Chicago & Southern
    China Eastern
    China Southern
    Compass Airlines
    Concorde
    Continental Airlines
    Convair 240
    Convair 440
    Convair 580
    Convair 880
    Convair 990
    Curtiss C-46 Commando
    Dan Air London
    Delta Air Lines
    DH-106 Comet 4
    Douglas DC-3
    Douglas DC-4
    Douglas DC-6
    Douglas DC-7
    Douglas DC-7C
    Douglas DC-8
    Douglas DC-9
    Dragonair
    Dragon Wings
    Eastern Air Lines
    EasyJet
    Egyptair
    Embraer 190
    Embraer ERJ-145
    Emirates
    Eram Air
    Fairchild F-27
    Fairchild FH-227
    Finlantic
    Fokker 50
    Fokker F100
    Fokker F27
    Fokker F28
    Freighters
    Frontier Airlines
    Gemini Jets
    Hainan Airlines
    Handley Page Herald
    Hawaiian Airlines
    Hawaii Express
    Herpa
    HS-748
    HS Trident
    Ilyushin IL-62
    Ilyushin IL-76
    Ilyushin IL-86
    Ilyushin IL-96
    Interflug
    Japan Air System
    JC Wings
    Jet X
    Jet-X
    Kampuchea Airlines
    Kenya Airways
    Laker Airways
    Lan Chile
    Lockheed Constellation
    Lockheed Hercules
    Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
    Lockheed L-188 Electra
    Loganair
    LOT Polish Airlines
    Lufthansa
    Magic Models
    Malev Hungarian Airlines
    Manx Airlines
    MAOF Airlines
    MD-11
    MD-80
    MD-90
    MDD DC-10
    Mexicana
    Minerve
    Mohawk Airlines
    NAMC YS-11
    National Airlines
    NG Models
    Nordair
    Northwest Airlines
    Oasis Hong Kong
    Oceania Airlines
    Ozark Air Lines
    Panagra
    Pan Am
    Panda Models
    Phoenix Models
    Piedmont Airlines
    PLUNA
    Polynesian Airlines
    Qantas
    Republic Airlines
    Royal Jordanian
    Royal Nepal Airlines
    SE-210 Caravelle
    Shorts-360
    Sichuan Airlines
    Skyservice
    South African Airways
    Spantax
    TACA
    Trans European Airways
    Trans World Airlines Twa
    Trans-world-airlines-twa
    Tupolev Tu-104
    Tupolev Tu-134
    Tupolev TU-144
    Tupolev TU-154
    United Airlines
    USAir
    Vickers VC10
    Vickers Viscount
    Western Airlines
    Witty Wings

  • Home
    • About
    • Links
  • My Models
    • The NZ Hangar 2016-2022
    • USA - Trunk Airlines >
      • Pan Am
      • American Airlines
      • Braniff International
      • Continental Airlines
      • Delta Air Lines
      • Eastern Air Lines
      • National Airlines
      • Northeast Airlines
      • Northwest Airlines
      • Trans World Airlines (TWA)
      • United Airlines
      • Western Airlines
    • USA - Local Service >
      • Allegheny / USAir
      • Frontier Airlines
      • Hughes Airwest
      • Mohawk Airlines
      • Piedmont Airlines
      • My Ozark Airlines Fleet
      • Republic Airlines
      • My Texas Int Fleet
    • Global Fleets >
      • Russia
    • My Collection >
      • US Other Fleets >
        • My Alaska Airlines Fleet
        • My Hawaiian / Aloha Fleet
        • My PSA Fleet
        • My Flying Tigers Fleet
        • My World Airways Fleet
      • UK Fleets >
        • My British Airways Fleet
      • Canadian Fleets
  • AV History
    • Airline History Blog
    • Airline Development >
      • CANADA >
        • Canadian Mainline
        • Canadian Charters & LCCs
        • Canadian Regionals
      • CHINA >
        • Part 1: China's Airlines Industry Blossoms 1984-2002
        • Part 2: The Big Six in the 1990s
        • The Big Three
        • Hainan Airlines Group
        • Other Chinese Airlines
      • IRAN
      • MEXICO >
        • 1988-2005: Competition arrives
        • 2005-2014: Low cost in Mexico
        • Mexican Airline Genealogy
        • Mexicana Livery Tails
      • RUSSIA >
        • Aeroflot Group
        • S7 Airlines & AiRUnion
        • Other Russian Airlines
      • SOUTH AFRICA
      • UNITED KINGDOM >
        • BA Genealogy Pt1
        • BA Genealogy Pt2
        • BA Genealogy Pt3
        • BUIA & BUAF Genealogies
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt1
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt2
        • BEA Liveries 1946-1974
        • BOAC Liveries 1939-1974
      • UNITED STATES >
        • Trunk & Local Service Airlines >
          • American / TWA Genealogy
          • Delta / Northwest Genealogy
          • United / Continental Genealogy
          • Braniff / Eastern / US Airways Genealogy
        • Territorial Airlines
        • Intra-State Airlines
        • Supplemental Airlines
        • Deregulation Startups 1
        • Deregulation Startups 2
        • Trunk Airline Livery Changes 1959-1980
    • Liveries >
      • Aeroméxico Liveries
      • American Airlines Liveries
      • British Airways Liveries
      • Continental Airlines Liveries
      • Delta Air Lines Liveries
      • Eastern Air Lines Liveries
      • Landor Liveries
      • National Airlines Liveries
      • Northeast Airlines Liveries
      • Northwest Airlines Liveries
      • Pan Am Liveries
      • Trans World Airlines Liveries
      • United Airlines Liveries
      • Western Airlines Liveries
    • Special Liveries >
      • Air China Specials
    • Airbus A380s >
      • ANA A380s - Flying Honu
      • Korean A380s - Taegeuk
      • Malaysia A380s - Wau Jets
    • Boeing 747 >
      • The Early Years Pt1
      • The Early Years Pt2: Pan Am
    • Real Airport Histories >
      • Albany International
      • Dallas Love Field
      • Rochester International Pt1
      • Rochester International Pt2
      • San Francisco - 1927-1959
      • San Francisco - 1959-1978
      • San Francisco - 1978-2015
      • San Jose International
      • San Jose International Pt2
    • Plane Spotting >
      • Amsterdam (AMS) - Sep 22
      • Frankfurt (FRA) - Oct 2022
    • Aviation Stickers >
      • ATR Stickers
      • A300 Stickers
      • DC-9 Stickers
      • DC-10 Stickers
  • 1:400 SCALE
    • Collecting 1:400 Scale >
      • Who Is The Best?
      • Best Moulds in 400 Scale
    • The History of 1:400 Scale >
      • 1:400 History Pt1: 1996-2000
      • 1:400 History Pt2: 2001-2008
    • 1:400 Brands >
      • Aeroclassics >
        • Generation One History
        • Gen 1 Photo Galleries >
          • BAC One-Eleven
          • Douglas DC-6
          • Douglas DC-9
          • Fairchild FH-227
          • Lockheed L-1049 Super Connie
          • Lockheed L-188 Electra
          • Vickers VC10
          • Vickers Vanguard
          • Vickers Viscount
      • AURORA Models
      • Aviation400 (2007-2012)
      • Big Bird 400 Your Craftsman
      • Black Box Models
      • Blue Box & Magic Models
      • Dragon Wings
      • El Aviador 400
      • Gemini Jets
      • JAL Collection / Jet Hut >
        • The JAL Collection
        • JAL Collection Reviews
        • Jet Hut Boeing 787-9
      • Jet-X >
        • Jet-X: Part 1 2000-2006
        • Jet-X: Part 2 2006-2012
      • MP4 & Airshop Diecast
      • NG Models
      • Seattle Models Co (SMA)
      • Skyjets400
      • Sovereign Models
      • TucanoLine
    • 1:400 Custom Models >
      • DT Custom Models >
        • Tupolev Tu-134s
    • Zinc Rot
  • 1:400 Moulds
    • The Best Moulds >
      • The Best Airbus Moulds Pt1
      • The Best Airbus Moulds Pt2
      • The Best Boeing Moulds Pt1
      • The Best Boeing Moulds Pt2
    • Airbus >
      • Airbus A300
      • Airbus A310
      • Airbus A320 >
        • JC Wings A320 Upgrades
      • Airbus A330-200/300
      • Airbus A330-200F
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL >
        • A320 Inserts for Beluga XL
      • Airbus A350-900/1000
    • Boeing >
      • Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser
      • Boeing 707-120/138/720
      • Boeing 707-320/420
      • Boeing 717
      • Boeing 727-100
      • Boeing 727-200
      • Boeing 737-100/200
      • Boeing 737-300 >
        • Herpa 737s
      • Boeing 737-400
      • Boeing 737-500
      • Boeing 737-600
      • Boeing 737-700/800/900 >
        • P-8 Poseidon Mould Review
      • Boeing 737 MAX
      • Boeing 747-100/200 >
        • Awful Phoenix 747s
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-8 Interactive
      • Boeing 747LCF Dreamlifter
      • Boeing 757-200 >
        • NG Models 757 Production
      • Boeing 767-200
      • Boeing 767-300
      • Boeing 777-200
      • Boeing 777-300
      • Boeing 787
    • British >
      • Concorde
      • BAC One-Eleven 200-400
      • BAC One-Eleven 500
      • BAE-146 / Avro RJ-85-100
      • De Havilland DH-106 Comet
      • Hawker Siddeley Trident
      • Shorts 360
      • Vickers VC10
      • Vickers Viscount
    • Douglas >
      • Douglas DC-3 / C-47
      • Douglas DC-6
      • Douglas DC-7
      • Douglas DC-7C
      • Douglas DC-8-10-50
      • Douglas DC-8-60s/70s
      • Douglas DC-9-10
      • Douglas DC-9-30
      • Douglas DC-9-41/51
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-11
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-80
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-90
    • Lockheed >
      • Lockheed Constellation
      • Lockheed Super Connie
      • Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
      • Lockheed L-188 Electra
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 1 / Tristar 200
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 500
    • Other >
      • Convair CV-240-580
      • Convair CV-880/990
      • Curtiss C-46
      • Fairchild F-27 / Fokker F27
      • Fairchild-Hiller FH-227
      • Fokker F28/F70/F100
      • SE 210 Caravelle
    • Chinese >
      • Comac ARJ21
      • Xi'an Y-20
    • Soviet >
      • Antonov An-225
      • Ilyushin IL-62
      • Ilyushin Il-86/Il-96
      • Tupolev TU-104
      • Tupolev TU-154B-2/M
      • Tupolev TU-204
      • Yakovlev Yak-42
  • 1:400 News
    • Model Blog
    • New Mould Samples >
      • Aviation400 >
        • Airbus A320
        • Airbus A330-900NEO
        • Airbus A380 Resin Sample
        • Airbus A380 Metal Sample
        • Airbus A380 Final Sample
        • Boeing 787 Update Mar 21
        • Boeing 787 Update July 21
      • JC Wings >
        • Airbus A310
        • Boeing 747-400
      • NG Models >
        • Airbus A318
        • Airbus A319/320 CEO
        • Airbus A319/320 NEO
        • Airbus A321CEO & NEO
        • Airbus A330-200/300
        • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
        • Airbus A350-900
        • Airbus A350-1000
        • AVIC AG600M - 1:200
        • Boeing 737-600/700/900
        • Boeing 737-600 Refresh
        • Boeing 737-800
        • Boeing 737 MAX-8/MAX-9
        • Boeing B747SP
        • Boeing 747-8I
        • Boeing 747-8F
        • Boeing 777-200
        • Boeing 777-300/300ER
        • Boeing 787-8
        • Comac ARJ21 - 1:200
        • Falcon 7X - 1:200
        • Gulfstream G550 - 1:200
        • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
        • Lockeed Tristar 500
        • Tupolev Tu-154
        • Tupolev Tu-204/Tu-214/Tu-234
    • Retailer Exclusive Releases >
      • Panda Models Exclusives >
        • Panda Exclusives 2015-2021
        • Panda Exclusives 2022
      • JAL DC-8 Twinset
    • FantasyWings GSE >
      • Apron Equipment
      • COBUS 3000 Buses
      • GSE Pax & Cargo Sets
      • Hong Kong Outer Bay Set
      • Hong Kong ATC Tower Set
      • 1:200 GSE Cargo/GPU Sets
      • 1:200 COBUS 3000 Buses
  • 1:400 Reviews
    • Detailed Mould Scoring >
      • Airbus A320ceo & neo
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
      • Airbus A330-900neo
      • Airbus A350-900
      • Boeing 737-800
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-400
      • Boeing 777-300ER
      • Boeing 787-9
    • 1:400 Model Reviews
    • Model Airliner.com Reviews
  • 1:600 SCALE
    • Schabak >
      • Schabak History 1982-2006
      • Schabak Non-airline Models
      • Schabak Airline Numbers
      • Schabak Wheel Variants
      • Schabak Window Variants
      • Schabak Decal Cracking
    • Schabak Moulds >
      • Airbus A300
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
    • Silver Wings
    • Herpa Magic 600 Scale >
      • Herpa Magic History
      • Herpa Magic Mould Photos
    • Imogenia Airport
  • Dioramas
    • Wright Field Airport
    • Xin Long International
    • As Real As It Gets 1:200
    • As Real As It Gets 1:400 >
      • Real As It Gets - Africa
      • Real As It Gets - Asia
      • Real As It Gets - China
      • Real As It Gets - Europe
      • Real As It Gets - Middle East
      • Real As It Gets - N America
      • Real As It Gets - Oceania
      • Real As It Gets - Russia
      • Real As It Gets - S America