Iran Air 747SP IKA-KUL

It was time to leave Persia. Destination: Kuala Lumpur. After dinner at the Iran Air maintenance facility we head back to the hotel, take a quick shower, grab our luggage and take a taxi to IKA. At least those who fly this evening to Malaysia. STD is at 2055LT. We arrive at the airport around 1900 hours so we have plenty of time to check-in and some shopping before the flight.

Iran Aseman B727 THR-MHD-THR

Our last day in Iran started (like the previous ones) with a pair of flight. Again to Mashhad. This time on a Boeing 727 from Iran Aseman Airlines. Later that day we visited the Iran Air maintenance facility and in the evening I boarded my flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Mahan Air A300B4-600 THR-MHD-THR

The day nearing its end, we slowly proceeded again to the airport for a round trip flight to Mashhad and back. Scheduled was a Boeing 747-300 but unfortunately it broke down a couple of days before our arrival and it was swapped for an Airbus A300-600. Unlucky, but still not very easy to catch. First flight in business class and accompanied with a visit in the lounge at THR and the return in economy. Our plane will be EP-MNQ, an ex Lufthansa bird.

Tehran Aviation Museum

After the morning flights to and from Mashhad on the Pouya Air Antonov 74 our group headed to the local aviation museum. The facility isn't very big but does contain a couple of nicely preserved planes (if we can call it preserved, not much seems to have been altered from their flying days). They are in possession of a couple of 747s, a L-1011, two ex-Royal family 727s - those would be the nicest plane on stand. What was more, we have been granted access inside the L-1011 and one of the 727s. I do not want to know how much bacteria were flying around us and later in us after those two visits. Both of the planes have been nearly intact from the times they have arrived at the museum. At the entrance/exit there is a map of the museum with a key to where do what planes stand, some descriptions are quiet funny

Pouya Air Antonov 74 THR-MHD-THR

Three days have passed, the sightseeing part of my trip to Iran has basically ended. One day in Tehran and two visits south, to Shiraz and Isfahan. It was time to start the flying part. Two days, three visits in Mashhad and a long-haul to KUL. Firstly an round trip Tehran-Mashhad-Tehran on a Pouya Air Antonov 74. What was poor about the flight was the space for cabin baggage. My bag (and not only mine) didn't fit either in the overhead bin nor under the seat in front of me so most of the flight our legs have been in a strange position. Video review at the end of the entry.

Qeshm Air BAe146 THR-IFN-THR

After yesterdays flying we were set to fly to Isfahan on a Qeshm Air Fokker 100. At check-in it come out that today's' also will be operated with the BAe-146.

Mahan Air BAe-146 THR-SYZ-THR

My first full day in Iran passed quickly. On the second one we had a early wake-up (which was anyway pretty late compared to the later ones) so that we could manage to catch our flight to Shiraz. For this day we planned two flights. To Shiraz and back. Video review at the end of the entry!

Flying the Ukraine International Embraer 190

After a 6 hour stopover in Kiev after my previous flight PS802, during which I mostly wandered around the city it was time to depart for the final destination of today: Tehran.

01 October 2015
PS751 (2000-0025) KBP-IKA
UR-EMA Embraer 190

Boarding for the flight started around 15 minutes to departure time and I have luckily made it to the airport. Due to traffic I could have missed my flight. Nevermind. We were taken to the airplane by bus via some dark sides of the airport. Luckily the stands had light so we could make it to the plane without torches :) but yeah, it was strange a bit strange to drive on road with absolute zero light. Waiting for the queue on the stairs to clear up (I was in no hurry, seated at the front anyway so no difference for me) I managed to take two, photos of nicely painted 738s after which I've been told not to take any more photos. Alright, I boarded UR-EMA, a 2011 Embraer 190, sat at my seat and awaited the departure. A red-eye flight for the crew who later on return to Kiev. After the "fasten seat belt" sign was turned off I've changed my seat in order to have two for myself (and for my ex co-passenger to have the same). More or less after 45 minutes the meal was served. Today we had a choice of chicken or chicken. Both came with a cake, some veggies and rice. This was the only meal on the flight. Decent, eatable. Always something compared to my first sector. All ended with an on-time landing and a view on a couple of great machines (old 747s, A300s, A310s and more). I tried to visit the cockpit after landing, but no! company policy doesn't allow (yeah, mhm, let's say so...)
The flight experience in brief: Similar to the first one, a 3+ (on a school grade scale). The food was there (+) and of eatable quality (the cake although was very good). The crew having nothing to do occupied the business class section (empty otherwise on today's flight) sleeping a chatting (bothered me a bit as I sat in the first row of economy class). Not exactly what one would call professional. A negative aspect of their E90 compared to the E-jets I've flown with LOT is the lack of a movable headrest.
Video review available at the bottom of the entry.

With KBP visible at the top