Long Distance Flights

The Qantas flight of the Boeing Dreamline, non stop from Australia has made big news. One that will change flying forever, and cause much hand wringing for those places that planes used to touch down, and give them some income.

I recall my very first flight to the Far East in 1967, aboard a very tight squeeze on a Boeing 707. Seated with two business colleagues, one if whom was quite corpulent .

We took off from Heathrow -- known at that time as "thief row " as luggage was pillaged -- and flew to Frankfurt to take on more passengers and to lose some. Then take off to Bahrain for the next stop. More wandering around transit area as plane reloads. On we go. Approaching India, but six day war on between Israel and Egypt interrupts our progress as we are escorted down by two fighters to land in Tel Aviv. Visible from our windows.

Held for a while as hold is checked. Fly off to Delhi as our next stop. Greeted by over zealous officials spraying us with insecticide !!
More delays.

Take off, but to land at Bangkok. More on and off of passengers. Boring transit in the dark of the long night. Then off we go again to land in Hong Kong , Kaitak airport, banking our way between high rise blocks of flats. Even can see into the windows of the apartments !!

Long, long day and long night of over 20 hours. A real blooding for my first ever long distance flight .
One of many many more. Over 70 in fact.

Thankful for the trusty 747 !

Now the new Qantas flight. Progress for sure

Ralph Warburton .

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