Most of the time, plane journeys are relatively ordinary – standard carriers, popular models and the same sort of interiors you’ve seen before.
Whether it’s the Airbus A320 to the Boeing 737, if you’ve taken an international flight you’ve probably been on one of these aircraft.
There are, however, some quirky and unusual planes still in operation.
Some operate in certain areas alone, while others have a fascinating history.
In some cases, planes date back to the USSR, and others have equally intriguing backstories.
And some of the most unusual planes still take to the air today.
Here’s the rundown of unusual aircraft that remain in use…
Russian Ilyushin Quad-Jet IL96
Russian Ilyushin Quad-Jet IL96 has a model still operated by Cubana
The Russian Ilyushin Quad-Jet IL96 was developed after the IL-86, which was the first wide-bodied aircraft manufactured by Ilyushin.
It’s reportedly used by the Russian government as the main presidential aircraft today.
The IL96 is a four-engined wide-bodied aircraft with a long range, known for being robust.
It also features Soviet-style cabins, such as fold-forward seats and a lack of overhead lockers in the centre of the plane.
When the USSR fell in 1991, the plane was not fully rolled out, however, today some models are in use in some cases as cargo planes.
One of the Russian Ilyushin Quad-Jets continues to be used by Cubana on its Minsk-Havana route.
Fairchild-Dornier 328JET
A Fairchild-Dornier 328JET model, which is still in use in some cases today
Launched by a German company, the executive version of the Fairchild-Dornier 328JET usually seats up to 15 passengers, and the commercial up to 32 – a very small capacity.
When the owner, AvCraft, went into administration in 2005, production ended, but despite this, there are options if you want to try one out today.
Danish charter airline Sun Air has eight, while Key Lime Air/Denver Air Connection in Colorado and Sepehran Airlines in Iran still fly with the model.
Fokker 70
Brisbane-based Alliance Airlines, which flies to a wide range of remote destinations across the country, still has Fokker 70s in its fleet
This narrow-body, twin-engine, medium-range, regional airliner was designed and produced by Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.
The firm spent years trying to dispel its negative reputation, having been flown by the German air force during the First World War.
The F70 was a popular regional jet, used by airlines such as Air France Regional, KLM Cityhopper and British Midland.
Today, it’s mainly used by the air forces of Kenya or Myanmar.
But if you wanted to try one, you could fly with Brisbane’s Alliance Airlines, Air Niugini in Papua New Guinea, Suriname’s Fly All Ways or Skyward Express, based in Nairobi.
Boeing 757-300
United Airlines still uses some of its Boeing 757-300 models today
Most will have heard of the Boeing 737 – but the 757-300, aimed at short and medium-length routes, was introduced in 1999.
It’s a super long, ‘stretched’ plane design. However, only 55 were made, and production ended in 2004.
Known as the ‘flying pencil’, some are still in use. United Airlines, Delta and Fly Khiva of Uzbekistan also use 757-300s
DC-9
African Express Airways is the only airline still operating the DC-9
The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 is an American five-abreast, single-aisle aircraft designed by the Douglas Aircraft Company.
Its first flight was in 1965, and it inspired a range of popular passenger jets.
Nowadays, African Express Airways is the only airline still operating the plane model – although it is used for some cargo planes.
Saab 2000
The Saab 2000 can carry between 50 and 58 passengers
The Saab 2000 was developed by an eponymous firm in the early 1990s.
It was designed to meet growing demand for a regional airliner that could offer jet-like performance with high efficiency.
The aircraft is rare because only 63 were made during its manufacturing years, between 1992 and1999.
It first flew in 1992 and was introduced for commercial use in 1994. But demand later dropped for the aircraft.
Today, you can test one out with Alaska’s Aleutian Airways or Frost Air of Malmo.
