International sanctions have forced North Korea's Air Koryo airlines to make do with rare airplanes dating back to the Cold War. For years, hard-core aviation enthusiasts have traveled to Pyongyang looking for thrilling flights on Russian aircraft like this Tupolev Tu-154.
International sanctions have forced North Korea's Air Koryo airlines to make do with rare airplanes dating back to the Cold War. For years, hard-core aviation enthusiasts have traveled to Pyongyang looking for thrilling flights on Russian aircraft like this Tupolev Tu-154.
Rebekah Michaels/Airways Magazine
A group of these self-described "avgeeks" flew on several of these rare planes. The trip to North Korea started out at China's Beijing Capital International Airport aboard this Air Koryo Tupolev Tu-204 built in 2009. It's the carrier's flagship airliner.
A group of these self-described "avgeeks" flew on several of these rare planes. The trip to North Korea started out at China's Beijing Capital International Airport aboard this Air Koryo Tupolev Tu-204 built in 2009. It's the carrier's flagship airliner.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
Mid-flight, timid flight attendants served the infamous "Koryo Burger" along with water and juice. The burger patty -- made of questionable ingredients -- was rather tasty and intriguing.
Mid-flight, timid flight attendants served the infamous "Koryo Burger" along with water and juice. The burger patty -- made of questionable ingredients -- was rather tasty and intriguing.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZIN
Once the avgeeks hit the ground in North Korea, their excitement was obvious. Every airplane offered another opportunity for a selfie.
Once the avgeeks hit the ground in North Korea, their excitement was obvious. Every airplane offered another opportunity for a selfie.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
Two days of flying aboard some of these rare Russian airliners included this beautiful Ilyushin Il-18. A tour guide said it once served as the presidential airplane for the late North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung. Today it's used for regular commercial flights.
Two days of flying aboard some of these rare Russian airliners included this beautiful Ilyushin Il-18. A tour guide said it once served as the presidential airplane for the late North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung. Today it's used for regular commercial flights.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
This plane is one of Air Koryo's jewels. It allowed the Korean airline to open the important direct route to Moscow and, today, it's the last Il-18 in commercial operation anywhere in the world.
This plane is one of Air Koryo's jewels. It allowed the Korean airline to open the important direct route to Moscow and, today, it's the last Il-18 in commercial operation anywhere in the world.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
Check out its blue, Soviet Cold War-era propellers. During flight, they were incredibly quiet and stable.
Check out its blue, Soviet Cold War-era propellers. During flight, they were incredibly quiet and stable.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
The 18's cabin was not only wide and comfortable, but the seat pitch on every row was more than generous.
The 18's cabin was not only wide and comfortable, but the seat pitch on every row was more than generous.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
For many avgeeks in the tour group, flying on the 18 was the single biggest reason they'd made the trek to North Korea.
For many avgeeks in the tour group, flying on the 18 was the single biggest reason they'd made the trek to North Korea.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
What? The 18 had an enormous galley which was fitted with this vintage refrigerator that would have been at home in any old-school American diner.
What? The 18 had an enormous galley which was fitted with this vintage refrigerator that would have been at home in any old-school American diner.
Rebecah Michaels/Airways Magazine
The group also caught a flight aboard Air Koryo's Tupolev Tu-134. Delivered in 1984, this T-tailed twin-engine jet was the third-to-last ever produced of its type.
The group also caught a flight aboard Air Koryo's Tupolev Tu-134. Delivered in 1984, this T-tailed twin-engine jet was the third-to-last ever produced of its type.
Keith Otto/Airways Magazine
The Tu-134's cabin had enough head room to completely stand up, but the seat pitch on every row was very tight. Blue curtains gave it a vintage feel.
The Tu-134's cabin had enough head room to completely stand up, but the seat pitch on every row was very tight. Blue curtains gave it a vintage feel.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/airways magazine
The 134's cockpit was incredibly well-kept, despite its age.
The 134's cockpit was incredibly well-kept, despite its age.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/airways magazine
Another aviation highlight: this Russian-made Air Koryo Tupolev Tu-154. The three-engined, T-tail aircraft flew for the first time in 1968. It became one of the most successful Russian airliners ever produced and Air Koryo's first jetliner.
Another aviation highlight: this Russian-made Air Koryo Tupolev Tu-154. The three-engined, T-tail aircraft flew for the first time in 1968. It became one of the most successful Russian airliners ever produced and Air Koryo's first jetliner.
Rebekah Michaels/Airways Magazine
Despite its loud engines, some passengers were able to catch some sleep during the flight. Note the basic design of the plane's overhead storage bins.
Despite its loud engines, some passengers were able to catch some sleep during the flight. Note the basic design of the plane's overhead storage bins.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/airways magazine
Here's the Tu-154's cockpit.
Here's the Tu-154's cockpit.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/airways magazine
Takeoff aboard Air Koryo's 50-year-old Antonov An-24 airliner was stunningly quiet. During the 35-minute flight, the An-24 seamlessly surfed the clouds and handled turbulence very well for a Russian aircraft.
Takeoff aboard Air Koryo's 50-year-old Antonov An-24 airliner was stunningly quiet. During the 35-minute flight, the An-24 seamlessly surfed the clouds and handled turbulence very well for a Russian aircraft.
Rebecah Michaels/Airways Magazine
A passenger safety card aboard an Air Koryo Antonov An-24
A passenger safety card aboard an Air Koryo Antonov An-24
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
The An-24 was the only aircraft the group saw during the tour that had a black flight deck instrument panel. Other Soviet airliners had turquoise -- a color chosen to reduce eye strain.
The An-24 was the only aircraft the group saw during the tour that had a black flight deck instrument panel. Other Soviet airliners had turquoise -- a color chosen to reduce eye strain.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
This 400,000-pound beast was built in 1990 -- one of the last Ilyushin Il-76MD cargo planes ever made. The landing approach was eerie. The plane's four ear-shattering Soloviev D-30 engines repeatedly accelerated and decelerated and the plane made high banks and turns.
This 400,000-pound beast was built in 1990 -- one of the last Ilyushin Il-76MD cargo planes ever made. The landing approach was eerie. The plane's four ear-shattering Soloviev D-30 engines repeatedly accelerated and decelerated and the plane made high banks and turns.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
If you were on the flight crew of Air Koryo's Il-76, this would be your office.
If you were on the flight crew of Air Koryo's Il-76, this would be your office.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE
The tour centered around old and rare airliners, but the group also flew aboard Air Koryo's Antonov An-148, which the airline bought new in 2015.
The tour centered around old and rare airliners, but the group also flew aboard Air Koryo's Antonov An-148, which the airline bought new in 2015.
ENRIQUE PERRELLA/AIRWAYS MAGAZINE