There’s something special about stepping onboard a classic airliner.

The whine of older engines, the analogue cockpits, and that unmistakable cabin atmosphere make flying these aircraft a completely different experience from today’s modern fleets.

But here’s the reality:
Old jets are disappearing fast.

Thankfully, there are still opportunities around the world to fly classic airliners and experience some of the most iconic vintage jet aircraft still in passenger service.

In this guide, we’ve picked 12 of the best ways to fly old jets still flying in 2026 – from rugged Boeing 737-200s to rare Soviet-era widebodies.

All of these come from our regularly updated Last Chance to Fly guide, available exclusively to Airport Spotting Premium members – where you’ll find even more rare aircraft flights and up-to-date opportunities.

1. Air Inuit – Boeing 737-200 (Canada)

Photo (c) Jean-Philippe Richard

If you’re serious about flying a classic Boeing jet, this is one of the best opportunities anywhere in the world.

Air Inuit operates Boeing 737-200 aircraft with gravel kits on remote Arctic routes. It’s one of the most authentic ways to experience an old jet airliner still in regular service.

2. Nolinor – Boeing 737-200 Charter Flights (Canada)

Another excellent chance to fly a vintage 737.

Nolinor’s 737-200s operate rugged charter missions to remote locations, offering a rare glimpse into how these aircraft were originally designed to perform.

3. Aviatsa – Boeing 737-200 (Honduras)

Oscar Josué Elvir Vasquez (GFDL 1.2 <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html> or GFDL 1.2 <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html>), via Wikimedia Commons

Looking for another way to fly a classic jet airliner?

Aviatsa operates the 737-200 on domestic routes in Honduras – one of the last scheduled passenger opportunities outside of Canada.

4. Alliance Airlines – Fokker 70 (Australia)

Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Australia is now a stronghold for Fokker jet operations.

Alliance Airlines flies multiple Fokker 70s, giving enthusiasts one of the best chances globally to tick off this increasingly rare type.

5. Aerovías DAP – BAe 146 and Avro RJ (Chile)

Photo: Aerovias DAP

The BAe 146 is one of the most distinctive classic regional jets ever built. The Avro RJ was a 1990s upgrade of the type.

DAP gives you a rare double opportunity.

With both BAe 146 and Avro RJ aircraft in operation, this is one of the few places where you can log multiple variants of a classic British jet airliner.

Flying in southern Chile, these aircraft combine rare four-engine design with breathtaking Patagonian scenery – a must for anyone chasing rare aircraft flights.

6. ecojet – Avro RJ85 (Bolivia)

AviSaster, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

A direct evolution of the BAe 146, the Avro RJ85 is now incredibly rare.

ecojet offers one of the best chances to fly an Avro RJ, with regular domestic routes across Bolivia.

7. TezJet – Avro RJ85 & MD-80 (Kyrgyzstan)

AKS.9955, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most exciting ways to fly a classic jet airliner.

TezJet’s RJ85s and MD-80 aircraft operate scenic routes in Central Asia, often alongside MD-80s – making this a dream trip for fans of old jets still flying.

8. Fly All Ways – Fokker 70 (Suriname)

Andrew J. Muller, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Fokker 70 is becoming one of the rarest Western-built jets still flying today.

Fly All Ways offers scheduled routes that make it relatively easy to experience this unique vintage regional jet.

9. Cubana – Ilyushin Il-96-300 (Cuba)

N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Want to fly a true Soviet-era widebody airliner?

Cubana’s Il-96-300 is one of the rarest widebody passenger jets in the world. If you can catch it operating, it’s one of the ultimate rare aircraft flights available today.

10. African Express Airways – Douglas DC-9 (Kenya)

African Express DC-9-30 (c) African Express Airways

The Douglas DC-9 is a legend of early jet travel – and incredibly, it hasn’t completely disappeared.

African Express Airways has operated one of the last examples, offering a very rare chance to fly a true vintage jet airliner.

11. RED Air – McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (Caribbean)

Photo: Mark Bess

The MD-80 series is one of the last links to the golden age of jet travel.

RED Air keeps the experience alive with MD-82 flights around the Caribbean – complete with that iconic rear-engine sound. It is based at Santo Domingo.

12. LASER Airlines – MD-80 Series (Venezuela)

Photo (c)

If you want multiple flights on classic MD-80 jets, LASER Airlines is one of the best options.

Its fleet operates both domestic and international routes, making it a hotspot for fans of old jets still flying.

Fly Them Before They’re Gone

The clock is ticking on these aircraft.

Every year, more classic airliners are retired, and the opportunities to experience them disappear.

That’s why we created Last Chance to Fly – a continuously updated guide to the world’s old jets still flying, helping you track down the best rare aircraft flights before they vanish .

👉 Inside, you’ll discover:

• Even more aircraft types (including Soviet jets and pistonliners)
• Regularly updated routes and airlines
• Practical tips on how to book and plan your flights

It’s available exclusively to Airport Spotting Premium members.

If you’ve ever wanted to fly a classic airliner… now is the time.

Get Premium Here

Title image: zkarj