Are there any Dash 7s still flying?

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

When de Havilland Canada introduced the DHC-7 “Dash 7” in 1975, it hoped to revolutionise regional flying. Drawing on the rugged lineage of the DHC-6 Twin Otter, this new 50-seat, four-engine turboprop was designed for one thing above all: Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL). With full-span flaps, double-slotted trailing edges, and big, slow-turning propellers, the Dash 7 could leap off runways as short as 2,000 feet—and do it in near silence.

It first flew on 27 March 1975 and entered service with Rocky Mountain Airways two years later. But despite a cult following, only 113 examples were built, and it never quite broke into the mainstream market dominated by the likes of the Fokker F27, Hawker Siddeley 748 and emerging Dash 8.

London City’s founding aircraft

RuthAS, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Perhaps the Dash 7’s most iconic chapter was in London, where its exceptional low-noise and STOL performance helped open the brand-new London City Airport in 1987 on some derelict former docklands.

At the time, jets were not allowed due to strict noise regulations and the airport’s steep 5.5° approach angle. The Dash 7 was the only aircraft capable of flying into the compact runway, and early services to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam relied entirely on it.

Serving the wilderness

While it struggled to catch on with most regional carriers, the Dash 7 thrived in remote and rugged environments. Its four engines gave it both redundancy and power in high terrain or hot climates, and its unpaved strip performance made it ideal for bush flying. It became a workhorse in Northern Canada, Alaska, and parts of Africa, where few other aircraft could operate safely with full payloads.

Where you can still fly aboard a Dash 7 (Summer 2025)

plane.geek, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Although most Dash 7s have now retired or ended up in government or aerial survey work, a handful are still flying passengers in niche roles.

Tip: Air Tindi’s services may not show in regular booking engines—contact the airline directly or look for local travel companies serving the Canadian north.

What makes the Dash 7 special?

• Ultra-short runway performance – Take-off run of just 2,000 feet fully loaded.
• Whisper-quiet props – Designed for low noise near cities and sensitive environments.
• Four-engine safety – Excellent redundancy for mountain flying or Arctic routes.
• Heavy lifter – Despite its STOL credentials, the Dash 7 could haul serious payloads.
• One-of-a-kind flying experience – Cabin layout, sound, and power configuration make it unlike anything flying today.

Add the Dash 7 to your logbook – Last Chance to Fly

For serious avgeeks and airline historians, the de Havilland Dash 7 is one of the most unique regional airliners still flying passengers today—but not for long. If you’re keen to catch a ride before the last few are gone, grab our exclusive book Last Chance to Fly.

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