We made it safely back to Pyongyang from Samjiyon on the Il-18. We got on the bus, the bus took us to our next plane. The newest addition to Air Koryo's fleet. The Antonov 148.
We were scheduled for a 30-45 minute pleasure flight around Pyongyang. Free seating, the entire plane just for us. Lots of space for everyone. Each person could practically choose the seat they wanted to sit at. Lets not forget about the freedom of moving around during the flight, taking pictures of both the inside and the outside of the plane from basically any window you want to. One thing, I don't like in the plane is the engine position, there is basically no way to look at the fans :( they are simply to much at the front. But from the back seats you get a very nice view of the ground and the wing over your.
After we boarded, and all the checks have been performed we slowly taxied to the runway and smoothly departed.
Up in the sky the walking around commenced. Trying out C class seats, taking photos of almost everything. It truly is the most western plane that flies today in the North Korean carriers fleet. Have a look at the detailed photo session of the plane itself and the views from the flight:
That was the end of flying for that day, but more came the next day. Overall I positively rate the 148. It is a westernish plane which with better publicity could sell better on the west as a ARJ replacement or small regional jet. Of course airline would have to consider fuel consumption costs which are unknown to me. Nevertheless I hope that the plane will get more popular and brake the current monotony.
We were scheduled for a 30-45 minute pleasure flight around Pyongyang. Free seating, the entire plane just for us. Lots of space for everyone. Each person could practically choose the seat they wanted to sit at. Lets not forget about the freedom of moving around during the flight, taking pictures of both the inside and the outside of the plane from basically any window you want to. One thing, I don't like in the plane is the engine position, there is basically no way to look at the fans :( they are simply to much at the front. But from the back seats you get a very nice view of the ground and the wing over your.
After we boarded, and all the checks have been performed we slowly taxied to the runway and smoothly departed.
Up in the sky the walking around commenced. Trying out C class seats, taking photos of almost everything. It truly is the most western plane that flies today in the North Korean carriers fleet. Have a look at the detailed photo session of the plane itself and the views from the flight:
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| With an airport under the engine |
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| Overlooking the scenery |
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| Steeply banking right |
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| The rear lavatory |
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| Doors 2R |
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| Glass wall in front of doors 2L and behind the last pax row |
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| Banking left, now a view from a window more to the rear |
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| Business class seats |
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| Doors 1L |
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| The front lavatory |
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| Doors 1R and part of the galley |
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| Attempting to look into the engine. Impossible even from the first window |
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| Attempting to get the entire engine in one shot. Impossible. |
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| Approaching FNJ over rice fields |
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| Rice fields on final approach |
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| The overhead panel |
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| Economy class seats |
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| Cabin overview |
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| Disembarking the plane |
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| Almost in its entire grace. |
That was the end of flying for that day, but more came the next day. Overall I positively rate the 148. It is a westernish plane which with better publicity could sell better on the west as a ARJ replacement or small regional jet. Of course airline would have to consider fuel consumption costs which are unknown to me. Nevertheless I hope that the plane will get more popular and brake the current monotony.
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