First built in 1909, the chances of getting to fly in one are next to nil, but a few airworthy craft still remain. A restored Bleriot XI makes a low pass over the airfield at the Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow in Lake Wanaka, New Zealand in 2006.
Bleriot XI —
First built in 1909, the chances of getting to fly in one are next to nil, but a few airworthy craft still remain. A restored Bleriot XI makes a low pass over the airfield at the Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow in Lake Wanaka, New Zealand in 2006.
Ross Land/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
German luggage manufacturer RIMOWA has financed the building of an exact replica of a Junkers F13, the world's first all-metal aircraft. The new F13 will soon accept reservations from passengers.
Junkers F13 —
German luggage manufacturer RIMOWA has financed the building of an exact replica of a Junkers F13, the world's first all-metal aircraft. The new F13 will soon accept reservations from passengers.
Courtesy RIMOWA
The Junkers Ju-52, nicknamed Tante Ju (Auntie Ju) has a tri-motor configuration and corrugated metal skin. One of them now sits in Krakow's Polish Aviation Museum.
Junkers Ju-52 —
The Junkers Ju-52, nicknamed Tante Ju (Auntie Ju) has a tri-motor configuration and corrugated metal skin. One of them now sits in Krakow's Polish Aviation Museum.
Courtesy Gagorski
The de Havilland Dragon Rapide played a role in mid-20th-century history, carrying both General Francisco Franco and Charles De Gaulle on key operations in the 1930s and 1940s. Here is a Dragon Rapide in the Royal Air Force's livery in 1935.
De Havilland Dragon Rapide —
The de Havilland Dragon Rapide played a role in mid-20th-century history, carrying both General Francisco Franco and Charles De Gaulle on key operations in the 1930s and 1940s. Here is a Dragon Rapide in the Royal Air Force's livery in 1935.
J. A. Hampton/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Sometimes dubbed the world's first truly modern airliner, the Douglas DC-3 aircraft first flew in 1935. Many DC-3s of all variants are still flying around the world.
Douglas DC-3 —
Sometimes dubbed the world's first truly modern airliner, the Douglas DC-3 aircraft first flew in 1935. Many DC-3s of all variants are still flying around the world.
Ian Waldie/Getty Images
Only a handful of Super Constellations are still flying. Here is a rare "Super Connie" restored by Amicale du Super Constellation, an association dedicated to restoring and preserving this flagship of French aviation.
Lockheed Super Constellation —
Only a handful of Super Constellations are still flying. Here is a rare "Super Connie" restored by Amicale du Super Constellation, an association dedicated to restoring and preserving this flagship of French aviation.
GEORGES GOBET/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Air Chathams is the only airline that still operates a Convair 580 nowadays. "The Convair 580 was truly ahead of its time, and it comes with an exceptional level of system redundancy. It is very robust and able to operate effectively in all sort of climates," says Duane Emeny of Air Chathams.
Convair 580 —
Air Chathams is the only airline that still operates a Convair 580 nowadays. "The Convair 580 was truly ahead of its time, and it comes with an exceptional level of system redundancy. It is very robust and able to operate effectively in all sort of climates," says Duane Emeny of Air Chathams.
courtesy Air Chathams
Setting standards for passenger comfort and aircraft design, the Boeing 707 was a pioneering modern long-haul jet when it entered service in 1958.
Boeing 707 —
Setting standards for passenger comfort and aircraft design, the Boeing 707 was a pioneering modern long-haul jet when it entered service in 1958.
Maurice Jarnoux/Paris Match via Getty Images
A contemporary rival of the Boeing 707, the DC-8 was the first plane to break the sound barrier -- for 16 seconds during a test flight.
Douglas DC-8 —
A contemporary rival of the Boeing 707, the DC-8 was the first plane to break the sound barrier -- for 16 seconds during a test flight.
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The relatively small DC-9 opened up many thin routes for jet service. American magazine publisher Hugh Hefner once owned a DC-9 jetliner and named it "The Big Bunny."
Douglas DC-9 —
The relatively small DC-9 opened up many thin routes for jet service. American magazine publisher Hugh Hefner once owned a DC-9 jetliner and named it "The Big Bunny."
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The A300 (pictured in midair) was the first plane designed and produced by Toulouse manufacturer Airbus. It marked the moment that the European commercial aviation industry was finally able to compete head on with large American manufacturers.
Airbus A300 —
The A300 (pictured in midair) was the first plane designed and produced by Toulouse manufacturer Airbus. It marked the moment that the European commercial aviation industry was finally able to compete head on with large American manufacturers.
PIERRE VERDY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Ukrainian Antonov An-24 is robust and reliable. Nowadays they're mostly freighters or military transport but some airlines, like North Korea's Air Koryo, still fly them. <br />
Antonov An-24 —
The Ukrainian Antonov An-24 is robust and reliable. Nowadays they're mostly freighters or military transport but some airlines, like North Korea's Air Koryo, still fly them.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
Seating about 150 passengers, the short- and medium-haul Boeing 727 became a workhorse of the airline industry.
Boeing 727 —
Seating about 150 passengers, the short- and medium-haul Boeing 727 became a workhorse of the airline industry.
Central Press/Getty Images
A popular choice for the Soviet civilian aviation industry in the 1960s, the Tupolec Tu-134 features a distinctive glass nose and sweptback wing.
Tupolev Tu-134 —
A popular choice for the Soviet civilian aviation industry in the 1960s, the Tupolec Tu-134 features a distinctive glass nose and sweptback wing.
Keith Otto/Airways Magazine
Back in 1968, the Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante was Brazil's first foray into aircraft manufacturing. It was an experience that proved to be so successful that, five decades later, Embraer has consolidated its position in the select aircraft-making elite, focusing on the regional and executive jet segment.
Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante —
Back in 1968, the Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante was Brazil's first foray into aircraft manufacturing. It was an experience that proved to be so successful that, five decades later, Embraer has consolidated its position in the select aircraft-making elite, focusing on the regional and executive jet segment.
Embraere
In addition to North Korea's Air Koryo, a couple of airlines, Alrosa of Russia and Belavia of Belarus, still have the Tupolev TU-154 in their fleets. The elegant aircraft is recognizable by its three engines at the back.
Tupolev TU-154 —
In addition to North Korea's Air Koryo, a couple of airlines, Alrosa of Russia and Belavia of Belarus, still have the Tupolev TU-154 in their fleets. The elegant aircraft is recognizable by its three engines at the back.
Rebekah Michaels/Airways Magazine
The DC-10 was Douglas' answer to the Jumbo Jet. It has a signature three-engine configuration -- one below the tail and the other two in under-wing pods.
DC-10 —
The DC-10 was Douglas' answer to the Jumbo Jet. It has a signature three-engine configuration -- one below the tail and the other two in under-wing pods.
Courtesy Boeing
The MD-11 is the heavily modernized successor to the DC-10. Here is a KLM McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft at Schiphol Airport, near Amsterdam, on October 26, 2014 during a special ceremony to commemorate its last commercial flight.
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 —
The MD-11 is the heavily modernized successor to the DC-10. Here is a KLM McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft at Schiphol Airport, near Amsterdam, on October 26, 2014 during a special ceremony to commemorate its last commercial flight.
BAS CZERWINSKI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Il-62 was the Soviet's main long-haul airliner, in service with Aeroflot and the East German carrier Interflug among others. Air Koryo still has a 62-M jet in its fleet.
Ilyushin II-62 —
The Il-62 was the Soviet's main long-haul airliner, in service with Aeroflot and the East German carrier Interflug among others. Air Koryo still has a 62-M jet in its fleet.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Fokker 50, a propeller airliner designed for regional flights, was one of the most popular products of the historical Dutch aircraft manufacturer.
Fokker 50 —
The Fokker 50, a propeller airliner designed for regional flights, was one of the most popular products of the historical Dutch aircraft manufacturer.
courtesy Fokker