World Airline Historical Society

04/09/2026

The final airworthy Boeing 727-100 in the world has officially been retired, bringing an end to one of aviation’s most iconic aircraft variants after 58 years of service.

The aircraft, registered VP-BAP, first entered service in 1967 with Pan Am before later being converted into a private VIP jet.

In December, the jet completed its final flight from Van Nuys, California, to Kingman, Arizona, where it will likely be placed into long-term storage or scrapped.

While a handful of Boeing 727-200 aircraft still remain active in cargo and private operations, the retirement of VP-BAP marks the end of the original short-body 727-100 era.

The aircraft had become famous among aviation enthusiasts as the last surviving example still capable of flying.

03/31/2026

British Airways A380 G-XLEA in Miami getting ready to head back to London, March 2026.

Originally delivered to British Airways in April 2013. This 13 year old example was stored in March of 2020 and removed from storage, to be placed back into service, at the end of 2021.

03/23/2026

From our own WAHS President, Phil Brooks, in Indianapolis.

When I was first introduced to the airline hobby, in 1977, early World Airline Hobby Club member Bob Trader told me about ATP, Incorporated, which was owned by Clint Groves in San Jose, California. I wrote away for a catalog, and started collecting photographic slides, as Clint had quite an inventory, from which he sold duplicates, known as "dupes".

I bought many from his catalog, and my favorite image, pictured here, was taken at my home airport, Indianapolis International (IND), known then as Weir Cook Municipal Airport, by a person named Jon Proctor. At that time I knew of no other airline enthusiasts in my city, so I went right to the phone book (remember those?) and looked for Mr. Proctor, thinking he must live here!

Sadly, no such person existed locally, and I believe I called Clint to ask him where Jon lived. It turned out that he was just passing through IND on that day in 1966.

Little did I know that I would meet Jon not too much later at one of the Airliners International conventions, and that eventually we would become great friends. I got to know him better when his postcard publishing concern, Aviation World, Inc., donated a large number of cards for the 1987 Airliners International, which I co-hosted in Indianapolis.

Years later, Jon gave me an original of this slide, which is one of my most treasured ones. Oh, for a time machine, to take us to that observation deck!

We lost Jon in 2020, but his legacy lives on with his website, which the World Airline Historical Society maintains today. There's a link to "Oh, Lucky Man", on the WAHS home page.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A selection of Jon's stories and photos can be found at https://jonproctor.wahsonline.com. Jon Proctors website is maintained and preserved by WAHS.

Sign up now to become a member of WAHS today! Just $10 to help preserve airline history and the hobby we love so much. Join here at https://wahsonline.com

03/23/2026

From our own WAHS President, Phill Brooks, in Indianapolis.

"When I was first introduced to the airline hobby, in 1977, early World Airline Hobby Club member Bob Trader told me about ATP, Incorporated, which was owned by Clint Groves in San Jose, California. I wrote away for a catalog, and started collecting photographic slides, as Clint had quite an inventory, from which he sold duplicates, known as "dupes".

I bought many from his catalog, and my favorite image, pictured here, was taken at my home airport, Indianapolis International (IND), known then as Weir Cook Municipal Airport, by a person named Jon Proctor. At that time I knew of no other airline enthusiasts in my city, so I went right to the phone book (remember those?) and looked for Mr. Proctor, thinking he must live here!

Sadly, no such person existed locally, and I believe I called Clint to ask him where Jon lived. It turned out that he was just passing through IND on that day in 1966.

Little did I know that I would meet Jon not too much later at one of the Airliners International conventions, and that eventually we would become great friends. I got to know him better when his postcard publishing concern, Aviation World, Inc., donated a large number of cards for the 1987 Airliners International, which I co-hosted in Indianapolis.

Years later, Jon gave me an original of this slide, which is one of my most treasured ones. Oh, for a time machine, to take us to that observation deck!

We lost Jon in 2020, but his legacy lives on with his website, which the World Airline Historical Society maintains today. There's a link to "Oh, Lucky Man", on the WAHS home page."

A selection of Johns stories and photos can be found at https://jonproctor.wahsonline.com. Johns website is maintained and preserved by WAHS.

Sign up now to become a member of WAHS today! Just $10 to help preserve airline history and the hobby we love so much. Join here at https://wahsonline.com

02/14/2026

On this day of love, we are showing some love to American Airlines who just so happens to be celebrating turning 100 this year!

From the Archives of John Proctor...

"The Phoenix observation deck offered great airplane spotting and photography. My first color shot from that vantage point remains my favorite. American DC-7B N357AA, Flagship Georgia, comes to a halt at its assigned gate in the late-day sun on December 29, 1960. Moments later I ran down to catch Flight 63 to San Diego, on 720-023 N7536A; its wingtip is barely visible to the left. My logbook says it set a speed record for that segment: 38 minutes!"

02/04/2026

Taken in the early morning hours in Yuma back in December of 2025 there is an interesting bit of airline history in this photo. The white air start cart on the right hand side of the photo displays the faded titles "US AIRWAYS."

American Airlines continues to serve the airport to this day, after the US Airways merger, utilizing both Envoy and Skywest Embraer 175's on the route.

History such as this and other relics from US Airways and America West Airlines can be still be found at various outstations in the western United States.

02/03/2026

As a reminder, the LAX airline collectible show is THIS Saturday, February 7th!

Show hours are 9am to 3pm and will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton-LAX-South.

Children 12 and under are FREE! come on out for an exciting day!

02/03/2026

With the LAX airline collectable show coming up this Saturday, February 7th, here is a photo from the Jon Proctor collection showing a Lockheed Electra parked at LAX.

"December 28, 1959 marked my first photo trip to LAX, from San Diego. It was also my first Lockheed 188 Electra ride, aboard PSA’s N171PS, which had been in service barely a month. Parked briefly at the old terminal on Avion Drive, I had barely enough time to photograph her as the last passengers boarded for the onward flight to San Francisco. I am truly grateful for the colorization of this black & white image by Benoit Vienne." - Jon Proctor

01/07/2026

Please mark your calendar for May 9th 2026 for a brand new Airline Collectable Show at DTW. More infomation coming in February 2026. To be added to the mailing list for show information - [email protected]. Thank You.

07/09/2025

07/08/2025

The Fourth Parallel Runway will be named: Runway 1C-19C!

This new 10,000-foot runway will join our north-south lineup as part of a system-wide renumbering that ensures safety, clarity and compliance as CLT continues to grow.

From May through Sept. 2026, all three existing runways will also receive new designations. Here’s how the lineup will change:

• 18R-36L becomes 1L-19R
• 18C-36C becomes 1R-19L
• 18L-36R becomes 18-36
• Fourth Parallel will be 1C-19C

To learn more, visit: cltairport.com/news