NEW FOR 2024
We take a look at the interiors of Dan-Air aircraft throughout the 39 years that the airline was in operation. I have included several new graphics showing some of the features of the various types Dan-Air operated. All of the pictures can be enlarged to full-screen size. If you have any pictures of Dan-Air aircraft interiors, I would love to hear from you. You can send pictures in here I will credit you on the site for any images suppllied.
DC3 Dakota
The DC3 - Dakota, was Dan-Air's first aircraft. Several of the type flew for the company and the last aircraft in service was retired in 1970. This graceful aircraft was not known to be particularly spacious. The aircraft was not pressurised and was noted for being noisy, and drafty. The standard layout would be three abreast, but several airlines opted for a four abreast configuration. In this case that would result in 36 passengers.
Avro york
The Avro York joined the fleet in 1955 and stayed in service until 1964. BOAC had used the type and fitted their aircraft with their usual luxurious cabin. Three abreast seats in an armchair style gave passengers a very comfortable ride. This was not going to work with a charter airline who would need them to accommodate almost fifty people. The York had two saloon cabins and these included bunks for sleeping on long distance flights. this was again something Dan-Air would not need. A single cabin was designed with four abreast seating. There would be a galley at the rear. BOAC had two toilets, a ladies and a gents! Dan-Air kept two toilets, but located them next to the galley which remained near the main door
Bristol Wayfarer
The Bristol Wayfarer had joined the fleet in 1957 as the Bristol Freighter. Three of these rather ugly aircraft carried freight for Dan-air for many years, Surprisingly the last of the type to leave the airline did so in 1970. As a passenger aircraft the type had little appeal. Renamed the Bristol Wayfarer in passenger service the noisy and slow aircraft undertook passenger flights to the Channel Islands. The hour long flight was considered to be as much as passengers should expect to listen to the thunderous engines. Crew nick-named the aircraft; The Bristol Freightner.
De Havilland Dove
Dan-Air were successful with applications to operate domestic scheduled services in the early 1960s. These flights would criss cross the UK linking many major cities. The flights were largely links for business travellers who wished to get to a city quicker than rail. There was never a great demand for the flights and it seemed pointless operating them with DC3 aircraft. In particular some of the routes with less demand. Over the years cities were added and dropped where take up was poor. The Dove, carrying just eight people did fit requirements and joined the fleet in 1960 three years after the the introduction of the larger De Havilland Heron.
De Havilland Heron
Dan-Air's De Havilland Heron could seat up to 15 people and was suited for domestic flights as part of the 'Link City' network. The aircraft could take-off and land on short runways. The Heron had a small galley where the air stewardess could make drinks and snacks. The airliner also had a toilet. The Heron like the Dove had limitations with capacity when certain routes became successful.
Airspeed Ambassador
The Airspeed Ambassador joined the fleet in 1959. BEA had recently acquired Vickers Viscount turboprops and Dan-Air obtained their surplus Ambassadors. In total, eleven of these aircraft joined Dan-Air's fleet. The first pressurised aircraft the airline owned. BEA had a 40 seat interior which Dan-Air increased to 50 by making the four abreast layout into 5. In later years the Ambassador increased the capacity to 55. The aircraft flew international services and for a time was the flagship of the fleet. As the Inclusive Tour market began to boom the airline needed a much larger airliner, but the Ambassador remained in service until 1971.
De Havilland Comet.
The Comet joined the fleet in 1966 and went on to become the backbone of the airline's charter operations for well over a decade. Dan-Air operated the Comet 4, 4B and 4C variants. When the type entered service with BOAC 64 passengers were carried in tourist class and 22 in first class. Dan Air needed the type to carry up to 119 passengers in a single class cabin. The modifications that were carried out in order to achieve this were extensive. You can read all about them here. The Comet served the airline well, by today's standards it is primitive. Passenger comfort was limited, but the type remains a favourite with crews.
BAC 1-11
The BAC 1-11 first flew in Dan-Air colours in 1969. Twenty three of the type were operated. Shortly after the aircraft entered service, larger versions were designed. Dan-Air flew the 200, 300, 400, 475 and 500 series. Several of the aircraft had slightly modified versions. The 1-11 was ideal for Dan-Air's charter flights as well as operating scheduled services. The rugged, versatile airliner was a mainstay in the fleet until the airline ceased trading. Known as the 'Pocket Rocket' the one-eleven was loved by passengers and crew. In the 1970s the type became infamous for 'Seat Back Catering' In later years, hot meals were served by bringing pre-cooked meals on board in vacuum containers.
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 was added to the fleet in 1971 to join the Affinity Charter programme to Canada and the USA that many UK independents had started. This made way for the Advance Booking Charters. The flights operated until 1979 when the market had began to dry up. Dan-Air and other UK airlines carried 189 passengers on their 707s. This was at the high end of its capacity. The style of operation was not the market Dan-Air desired and for the last couple of years many 707s were used on high density flights to European sunspots. Most of the ex Pan Am machines were some of the first production models. We have struggled to obtain a full cabin view.
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 joined the fleet in 1973 and was, at the time, the most successful jet aircraft in production. The UK authorities required extensive modifications to be carried out on the aircraft before it could join the UK register. Dan-Air required seating for up to 150 passengers, something that had never been done before. For the 727s based in Germany a standard 131 passenger layout was preferred. The UK based aircraft had 141. The 200 series, introduced in 1980 had 187 seats.
Vickers Viscount
The Viscount is one of the UK's most successful aircraft with over 400 delivered around the world. It was the World's first turbo-prop airliner. Dan Air operated both the 700 and 800 series. The Viscount first came to Dan-Air in March 1975 and over the next five years a total of ten were obtained, mainly on lease from other operators.A couple were purchased during that time. The 700 seated 65 passengers and the 800 series 70. The Viscount mainly flew Domestic services, but two of the type worked out of both Lydd and Lympne on the Coach-Air services to Paris. For some reason, the Viscount was not the preferred choice of Dan-Air and after October 1980 the type was not seen again in Dan-air colours. None of them wore the new red, white and blue livery.
Hawker Siddeley 748
The Hawker Siddeley 748 joined the fleet by chance in 1971. Dan-air's search for a DC3 replacement had been a difficult task. The 748, nick-named the budgie turned out to be one of the best company decisions ever made. This remarkable and sturdy prop liner served the airline in sterling style on the domestic and short haul international scheduled services. But it really came into its own flying out of Aberdeen where up to 14 of the type were based flying into the Shetland Islands on charter flights for oil workers.The 748 worked flat out all year on these flights. It was the advent of longer range helicopters that could fly directly from Aberdeen to the oil rigs that brought about the decline of the aircraft. It became obsolete as the 90s approached and jets would take their place.
Boeing 737
Dan Air were relatively late in introducing the Boeing 737 to their fleet. The reluctance came directly from senior management. Three of whom left the company in protest. The airline was under pressure from Tour Operators to add the 737 to their fleet. After the 737 200 series joined the fleet in 1980 it was quickly established as a firm favourite. Over the next few years the 200 series was supplemented by newer, more advanced models, the 300 and latest model - the 400 series.
Airbus A300
Dan Air entered the wide-body scene in 1986. The aircraft was the largest type the airline ever operated, with 336 seats. Three A300s operated high density charter flights to the most popular destinations. The Airbus enabled Dan-Air to compete with other UK airlines who had introduced A300 and Boeing 767 jets. Tough trading conditions saw Dan-Air dispose of the A300 and Dan-Air move towards Scheduled Services. The Airbus was adored by cabin crew.
Airbus A300
Dan Air was the World launch customer for the BAe 146. The aircraft was dubbed 'The Whispering Jet' on account of its remarkably quiet engines. The four jet engine airliner was introduced in 1983 and quickly became a familiar sight on the Dan-Air Scheduled Services network. This superb aircraft was able to land at airports that other jets couldn't by way of its short take and landing capability.