Quantcast

Enduring legacy: five old air superiority fighters still flying

Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Enduring legacy: five old air superiority fighters still flying
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, first introduced in 1976, remains one of the most enduring air superiority fighters still in service today. Initially manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and later by Boeing, the F-15 was designed as a twin-engine, all-weather fighter. Despite advancements in military technology, it is considered one of the fastest fighters ever put into service by the United States. "The aircraft remains the fastest fighter jet ever put into service by the United States," according to reports.

Japan's Mitsubishi F-15J is another long-serving fighter. Manufactured under license from McDonnell Douglas, 213 units were produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Japan's Air Self-Defense Force in the 1980s. These aircraft are notable for being the only F-15 jets produced outside of the United States.

The Mikoyan MiG-29, developed during the 1970s by the Mikoyan Design Bureau in the Soviet Union, continues to be operational with several air forces worldwide. The MiG-29 was intended to counter U.S.-built fighter aircraft like the F-15 Eagle and remains one of the oldest air superiority fighters still in production.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Soviet-built Sukhoi Su-27 entered service in 1985 and was designed to combat fourth-generation fighters such as the F-15 and Grumman F-14 Tomcat. Over 680 units were produced between 1982 and 2010. Variants of this aircraft remain active with several air forces including Russia and China.

Finally, the Sukhoi Su-33 is a carrier-capable fighter that entered service officially in 1998 but began operations three years earlier on Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. Only 24 units were produced, with some later versions built under license in China as Shenyang J-15.

These aircraft highlight how some designs have proven so capable or difficult to replace that they continue serving decades after their introduction.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

UPS has operated one of the longest direct air cargo routes in the United States since 2018, connecting Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky with Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is the largest version of the 737 family, designed to compete with the Airbus A321neo.

Aug 2, 2025

Russian airline Aeroflot reported significant flight disruptions on Monday, July 28, due to a failure in its information systems.

Aug 2, 2025

After more than four years, American Airlines will reintroduce its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on the New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) route starting October 6.

Aug 2, 2025

The Airbus A321XLR, which entered service in late 2024, is now the longest-range narrowbody aircraft available.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 are the only commercial jetliners with a partial or full second passenger deck, and both have left a significant mark on aviation history.

Aug 2, 2025