Air France to Hong Kong, 1938
On August 10, 1938, the Dewoitine 338 F-AQBF Ville de Vientiane reached Hong Kong in Air France colors. The route shows the ambition of French commercial aviation after Air France was created in 1933.
The journey links Le Bourget to the Far East through the Mediterranean, Middle East, Persia, India, Burma, Siam, Indochina and South China.
A major commercial link before the interruption of war.
Regular long-distance airline flying with technical stops.
A vintage airliner keeps the right pace.
Heat, fuel and alternates matter throughout the route.
Understanding the flight
This plan tells of commercial aviation already modern, yet still dependent on stopovers. Passengers travel day and night, and every stop is part of a technical chain.
Read it as an airline route: preparation, regularity, weather and autonomy.
Before departure
- Choose a trimotor or classic airliner that is not too fast.
- Split the route into airline days rather than one continuous push.
- Watch temperature and density altitude between North Africa, Iraq, Iran and India.
- Keep an airline log: schedule, fuel, weather and alternates.
Suggested route
France, Mediterranean and Egypt
Le Bourget, Marseille, Tunis, Tripoli, Benghazi and Cairo set the eastbound line.
LFPB → LFML → DTTA → HLLT → HLLB → HECA
Levant, Iraq and Persia
Lydda, Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, Basra, Bushehr and Jask form the hottest and most strategic section.
HECA → LLBG → OLBA → OSDI → ORBS → ORMM → OIBB → OIZJ
India and Burma
Karachi, Jodhpur, Allahabad, Calcutta, Sittwe and Rangoon create a dense progression through plains, rivers and possible monsoon weather.
OIZJ → OPKC → VIJO → VIAL → VECC → VYSW → VYYY
Siam, Indochina and Hong Kong
Bangkok, Saigon, Hanoi and Hong Kong close the line into the Far East.
VYYY → VTBD → VVTS → VVNB → VHHH
Experience tips
Fly an aircraft that lets the distance be felt. Too much speed removes the elegance of the line.
Record the stops like an Air France route sheet; it gives the journey coherence.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2009