EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & FOUNDER - SEATTLE, WA. David has written, consulted, and presented on multiple topics relating to airlines and travel since 2008. He has been quoted and written for a number of news organizations, including BBC, CNN, NBC News, Bloomberg, and others. He is passionate about sharing the complexities, the benefits, and the fun stuff of the airline business. Email me: david@airlinereporter.com
They say “direct” but it can’t possibly be non-stop. The great circle distance is 7,237 miles and the longest range DC-10 (-30) could do 6,600 miles. Heck even most current planes won’t make unless you get ER/LR models.
Western was on the move in the early 80s. In January 1981, it launched non-stop service from London Gatwick to Anchorage, Alaska, flying on to Honolulu. On April 28, 1981 this was joined by a non-stop London to Denver service using the airline’s “DC-10 SpaceShips”. The London service would be removed from the network less than 2 years later. Miami had been added in 1974, DFW and Washington D.C. were added in the early 80’s. By 1981 the proposed merger with Continental was definitely off.
I would just like to chime in from here in ANC ( and my memories at airport during the 80s) that I can’t recall WAL ever launching non-stop ANC UK Gatwick service. I do remember that once they started ANC HNL ‘Triangle’ service – their DC-10 fleet were hard pressed to keep up demands of rapid De-Regulation expansion. I believe it was pending approval, or other reasons that failed to launch service. Yes a DC-10 30/40 flew ANC – Europe nonstop (about 5000 sm), and SAS pioneered that service ANC – CPH in the early 80s. WAL was a wonderful airline (free cheap champagne), and great history in Alaska with legendary Pacific Northern Airlines.
They say “direct” but it can’t possibly be non-stop. The great circle distance is 7,237 miles and the longest range DC-10 (-30) could do 6,600 miles. Heck even most current planes won’t make unless you get ER/LR models.
They called them “Western Space-Ships”, the tour went London Gatwick-Denver (and Anchorage)-Honolulu. It was called “The Londoner”
http://airchive.com/html/timetable-and-route-maps/western-airlines-history-timetables-and-route-maps/1981-april-28/7535
http://airchive.com/html/timetable-and-route-maps/western-airlines-history-timetables-and-route-maps/1981-april-28/7535
Western was on the move in the early 80s. In January 1981, it launched non-stop service from London Gatwick to Anchorage, Alaska, flying on to Honolulu. On April 28, 1981 this was joined by a non-stop London to Denver service using the airline’s “DC-10 SpaceShips”. The London service would be removed from the network less than 2 years later. Miami had been added in 1974, DFW and Washington D.C. were added in the early 80’s. By 1981 the proposed merger with Continental was definitely off.
I would just like to chime in from here in ANC ( and my memories at airport during the 80s) that I can’t recall WAL ever launching non-stop ANC UK Gatwick service. I do remember that once they started ANC HNL ‘Triangle’ service – their DC-10 fleet were hard pressed to keep up demands of rapid De-Regulation expansion. I believe it was pending approval, or other reasons that failed to launch service. Yes a DC-10 30/40 flew ANC – Europe nonstop (about 5000 sm), and SAS pioneered that service ANC – CPH in the early 80s. WAL was a wonderful airline (free cheap champagne), and great history in Alaska with legendary Pacific Northern Airlines.
Did I read the end correctly: London-Hawaii from GBP 372 return (i.e., round trip) ??