IATA IL6ICAO IL62

Ilyushin IL62

Ilyushin

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Soviet long-range jet, icon of Cold War aviation.

First flight

1963

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

140–186 passengers

Range

10,000 km

Engines

Four rear-mounted Soloviev D-30KU turbofans (IL-62M)

Status

Mostly retired

The Ilyushin IL-62 is a Soviet-designed long-range narrow-body jet airliner that first flew in 1963. It was developed to serve Aeroflot's intercontinental routes and became the flagship of Soviet civil aviation for decades. The design features a distinctive rear-mounted four-engine configuration and a T-tail, broadly similar in appearance to the British Vickers VC10. The IL-62 entered service with Aeroflot in 1967 and was subsequently operated by many Soviet-aligned and Eastern Bloc carriers. The improved IL-62M variant, introduced in the 1970s, featured more fuel-efficient Soloviev D-30KU engines and increased range. Though largely retired in the West and by major carriers, small numbers of IL-62s continued to operate in limited service with carriers such as Air Koryo of North Korea into the 2020s. It remains a significant milestone in Soviet aerospace engineering.

Notable operators

Major operators included Aeroflot (Soviet Union), Interflug (East Germany), LOT Polish Airlines, CSA Czechoslovak Airlines, and Air Koryo (North Korea).

Notable facts

›The IL-62 was the first Soviet long-range jet airliner capable of transatlantic flights.
›Its rear-mounted four-engine layout and T-tail closely resemble the British Vickers VC10.
›The aircraft requires a tail support strut on the ground to prevent tipping when unloaded.
›The IL-62M introduced Soloviev D-30KU engines for improved fuel efficiency and extended range.
›Air Koryo of North Korea was among the last operators to fly the IL-62 in regular passenger service.