Tupolev TU-154M - Alrosa’s mighty Tushka from Polyarny to Moscow

Of all Russian civil airliners she’s the most known, standing for an era! The legendary Tupolev 154 is becoming rarer by the second, and it’s a shame, because this airliner belongs to the skies! Alrosa is the in house airline of Yakutia’s well known diamond mining company. Throughout Russia only Alrosa’s remaining two Tupolevs can be booked on regular scheduled services. Only two routs are left, one from Polyarny to Novosibirsk, and one from Polyarny to Moscow. The good thing is, that the rout to Moscow with it’s nearly 6 hours of flying time is a medium range flight. And with all those disgusting Boeing and Airbus aircraft flying around in Russia, these six hours are about the right therapy!
The flight fom Polyarny to Moscow are mainly for shuttling mine workers via Moscow to other regions, after three months workers spend one at home. Therefor the flights are always full and it is rather hard to catch a ticket as a foreigner. But if you get one, it is worth all the hassle and the money, because this aircraft, this airline, this routing and the atmosphere are unique and most probably one of the best flying adventures still around.
The airline offers even for Russian standard perfect service, unknown to travellers from outside the Federation. The flights all operate on time, staff is friendly and the general impression is just perfect. Food is served, as well as soft drinks. The meals include a hot main dish as well as salads, starters and desserts. Coffee and Tea are also served several times.
The remaining two aircraft in the fleet are 757 and 684, the latter being the legendary plane of Izhma, just google it! Both planes are in wonderful shape, and with a bit of politeness, the crew will be most proud to introduce this airliner to enthusiasts. There is a lot of things they can tell you about this wonderful mighty, legendary, flying machine!
The captain of the flight was Andrei Lamanov, Hero of Russia. He was the pilot to land 684 in Izhma, and he is a wonderful person, as all crews of Alrosa. It is such a great thing to get to know pilots, cabin attendants, engineers, mechanics and ground staff that all love flying, that all love their airline and that live for their Tupolevs and Antonovs.
The flight to Moscow was a classic Tu-154M leg, with the engines roaring, the cabin foll of that “Tupolev Smell” and lots of good food. Besides the wonderful impressions aboard the airliner, it was very interesting to have a chat with the mineworkers. The airport Polyarny is actually the one of the town called Udachny, some 7km away. This town is a mining city, in a very cold area of this planet. Summer lows are well below zero. If one wants to fly the Tupolev, stay a night there, it’s a very interesting place to visit.
After a few wonderful hours aboard the Tushka, and after a few circles over Moscow’s city center, the classic airliner touched down in Domodedovo with its mighty D-30 engines roaring in reverse.
This was a truly amazing experience and probably the last chance to catch a “real” Tu-154 flight (not a fake enthusiast charter). But it would have been nothing without the wonderful crew that was so friendly and so dedicated to their aircraft and their airline. A BIG “thank you” goes out to them!