6 Ilyushin Il-62 fly in the world,of which only 2 are passenger planes,both in North Korea

📷 📽 Currently, only six Ilyushin Il-62 fly in the world, of which only two are passenger planes, both in North Korea. Another two are used by the Korean government, and the last two have been converted into cargo and belong to the Belarusian Rada Airlines.

This particular plane (registration: 2723) was built specifically for North Korea in 1979; it has therefore been in service for 46 years. Inside, it looks better than some museum pieces. It seems that in Korea they produce new interior elements, otherwise it is impossible to explain this brilliance.

Flying on the Il-62 is like traveling in a "Volga" 21 (a vintage Soviet car). The takeoff is almost imperceptible thanks to the extremely soft suspension. The landing is even more so. There is no typical Boeing "creak" at takeoff; everything is as smooth as possible.

In the armrest of each seat, there is a pull-out ashtray. The instructions are in Korean and English. After takeoff, television screens descend showing Korean entertainment and telling about Korean nature throughout the flight.

One minute after takeoff, food distribution begins. A lunch box is given with about a dozen not very good chocolates, a sugary soft drink, and a hamburger. The package says "hamburger," although it is said that in North Korea they now call it "cutlet sandwich." The hamburger is cold but tasty. Although it actually looks more like a cutlet sandwich, somewhat like those served at DonMak (the Donetsk version of «Vkusno - i tochka», itself the Russian version of McDonald’s; editor’s note) in Donetsk.

Immediately after the meal, the magazine "Korea" is offered, which you can take and keep without having to buy it, as an old song says. The flight attendant will try to collect them before landing but will not mind if you say you will keep it.

A cart with souvenirs is also brought: notebooks, books, and vodka. You can also ask for tea, which in taste and color resembles water boiled in an old kettle: a slight aftertaste of limescale and a light beige tone.

The flight passes very quickly. As soon as the flight attendants collect the last glass, the plane begins its descent and lands at Pyongyang airport. Media and text by Roman Rozanov.