Mahan Air B747-300 Business Class on upper deck
Tehran to Mashad
Mahan Air offers a decent and competitive Business Class product on a key domestic route inside Iran. They have recently re-activated their Boeing 747-300, after 1 year of overhaul with service on Tehran to Mashad and Tehran to Bandar Abbas on a daily basis. This is the last B747-300 classic you can fly anywhere in the world!
I went to Iran as part of the Iran Aviation Tour 2016. The Business Class Fare is double that of The Economy Class Fare but still quite affordable to foreigner. (About $120-150 varies) If you're an AvGeek, this is a bargain price to bag a ride on The B747 Classic and experience the upper deck!
Mahan Air operates the only business class lounge at Tehran Mehrabad Airport; this handles all the domestic flights in the country's capital city. It is located land side, upstairs above the airline office and post office.
Business Class passengers and Elite, Mahan Miles & More Members (their own frequent flyer programme) have access to the lounge. Economy Class Passengers can also buy access which costs about $15.
Boarding via Stairs
There are only a few contact gates in Mehrabad Airport, built before the Islamic revolution of 1979, so most of the flights are connected by remote bus.
All of the boarding takes place by stairs; this gives great views of the aircraft and we can take some photos prior to boarding.
Climbing up to the Upper Deck where 26 business class seats are located.
I was really impressed with the service so far, it is comparable to an International Flight with: hot towels, newspapers, magazines and the menu cards all handed out before take-off. There was a choice of many colourful fruit cocktail juices for our welcome drink. I very much enjoyed my glass of blood orange.
Our flight has about 380 passengers, which is actually considered a light load. The Mahan Air B747-300 can fit about 460 passengers with Economy Class on the entire lower deck.
Takeoff
Our flight had a minor delay during the slow boarding process and we were on the runway for about 30 minutes before take-off. Flight time to Mashad was 1 hour 10 mins with a distance of 460 miles.
The amazing lines of planes in Mehrabad and Fars Air Hangar and The Revolutionary Guard Ramp!
The Flight
After take-off, we were able to relax before the full meal service started! Here is the offering on the menu card.
Full Lunch - Kebab Fillet (Grill Tenderloin) with Saffron Rice.
View of Mount Damavand, the highest mountain in The Middle East in a distance.
After lunch, I went downstairs to have a tour of the main deck of Mahan Air B747-300.
The plane does not look aged at all. It has an LCD screen and new leather seats installed throughout the main cabin. Even the lavatory features mood lights! A first that I have seen on the B747 classic!
Shortly, we start our quick descent and land gently and safely in Mashad. We used the whole runway to roll and vacated at the other end. The pilots treat this plane with good care and they are gentle on the brakes.
Conclusion
Our Mahan Air B747-300 flight was short but very enjoyable. The cabin crew were great and provided excellent service. I am really glad to have been able to fly The B747 Classic one more time in 2016. This has been truly a highlight of my Iran Aviation Tour.
Mahan Air B747-300 currently flies daily from Tehran to Mashad and Bandar Abbas.
If you are interested to go to Iran and fly her, this tour may be your answer.
360 VR of Cabin
Upper deck of Mahan Air B747-300 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Inside Mahan Air B747-300 Jumbo Jet. - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Inside the Galley of Mahan Air B747-300 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Sam’s Travel Hacks
