One of the world’s most-loved airliners, considered by many to be the most beautiful, will make a comeback visit to Vienna’s airport Friday, when a restored Lockheed Super Constellation touches down, one of only two in the world certified for flight.
Easily recognized by its curved fuselage and triple tail, it was the first commercially successful pressurized-cabin airline and one of the first with engines and fuel capacity that allowed trans-Atlantic flights. Nearly every large airline had some in their fleets.
But its dominance was short-lived: it began flying in 1951, with the inter-continental version added in 1955, but by 1958 the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 were pushing it off the scene.
The one that will visit Vienna is owned by Swiss watchmaker Breitling, and was restored by an enthusiast group. After the Vienna visit, which will include public events and tours of the plane, it will return to its base at Basel.
